Renowned architect and Padma Bhushan awarded BV Doshi passes away
Ahmedabad(PTI): Well-known architect and Padma Bhushan recipient Balkrishna Doshi, who worked with legends like Le Corbusier and Louis Kahn, died at 95 at his home here on Tuesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among those who paid rich tributes to Doshi.
"We are deeply saddened to inform you about the passing away of Balkrishna Doshi (August 26, 1927-January 24, 2023), loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather," his family said in a statement.
Condolences poured in from various quarters over the demise of Doshi, widely regarded as the foremost architect of modern India.
"Dr BV Doshi Ji was a brilliant architect and a remarkable institution builder. The coming generations will get glimpses of his greatness by admiring his rich work across India. His passing away is saddening. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti," tweeted PM Modi.
Born in 1927 in Pune, Doshi worked with architecture legends like Le Corbusier. He also worked with Louis Kahn as an associate to build the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, and many other acclaimed projects.
CM Patel called Doshi the Pole Star in the world of architecture.
"Condolences on the passing away of Pritzker Prize winner 'Padma Bhushan' Balakrishna Doshiji, a world-renowned architect who is like the pole star in the world of architecture. May God rest his soul and give strength to his family, countless fans and disciples to bear this shock," he said in a tweet in Gujarati.
His family members said no one loved life more than Doshi. " Anand karo', celebrate life, as he would always say. He had so many people that he loved dearly and who loved him back," they said.
Some of Doshi's projects include the Institute of Indology, CEPT University and Kanoria Centre for Arts in Ahmedabad, the Indian Institute of Management in Bangalore, and Aranya Low Cost Housing, a township for low- to middle-income families, in Indore which won the prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 1995.
Doshi founded his own practice, Vastushilpa, in Ahmedabad in 1956. Several members of his family are architects.
In 2018, he received the Pritzker Architecture Prize, considered one of the most prestigious prizes in the field of architecture, becoming the first Indian architect to receive the honour.
He was conferred upon the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian honour in India, in 2020.
In 2022, Doshi received the Royal Gold Medal' from the Royal Institute of British Architects, which described his work as combining "pioneering modernism with vernacular, informed by a deep appreciation of the traditions of India's architecture, climate, local culture and craft".
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Viral song for Kageri kicks off debate on sidelining OBC voters in Uttar Kannada
A viral song in Classical mode soliciting votes for BJP Candidate in Uttar Kannada constituency Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri has kicked off a controversy for asking the Brahmin community to vote in unity for the ‘Brahmin candidate’. Supporters of incumbent MP Anantkumar Hegde have criticized the song and it has worsened the already tarnished image of Kageri for Brahmin favouritism.
The song of 3.52 minutes duration, sung by a female artiste, has been made viral by Kageri’s supporters in Uttar Kannada through hundreds of WhatsApp groups. The song begins with the line “yochisi mata hakavu, brahmanarella BJP ashtaravu” and urges the listeners to make the ‘Brahmin candidate’ win with majority. Supporters of incumbent MP Anantkumar Hegde were infuriated as the song went viral and openly questioned Kageri if he didn’t need any OBC votes.
There is a direct competition in Uttar Kannada Lok Sabha constituency, this time, between BJP’s Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri who comes from the Brahmin community and Congress’ Dr Anjali Nimbalkar who is from the OBC Maratha group.
Incumbent MP Anantkumar Hegde hasn’t yet participated in any election campaigns for Kageri, neither has he given any statement in the new candidate’s favour. A group of Hegde supporters is working in favour of Dr Anjali, while another group has decided to stay neutral in the elections. Social media has seen a surge in opposition to Kageri due to the song and netizens have commented that Kageri won’t be even a panchayat member, if he is only voted by the Brahmins, reports state.
