Drishti Vallabh

Indian diaspora specific to South Africa saw important rituals, customs and traditions pertaining to the creation of an ‘Indian’ identity being observed in a new environment. Since settling, with each passing generation, the concept of an ‘Indian’ identity in South Africa has been constructed, reconstructed and deconstructed, with changing dynamics of other cultural influences and environments. By placing the focus mainly on Hindu Gujarati’s in Johannesburg, it has been observed that many people in this community are disconnected from their roots. As a fourth generation South African Hindu Gujarati herself, the author feels that the need for cultural celebration of this community and their history is fundamental to an understanding of their diasporic identity.

Lenasia, the projects proposed context, which was a formerly predominantly Indian area, is a peri-urban city founded as a result of Apartheid’s Group Areas Act. Today its demographic landscape is transitioning and there is a need for an integrated space to cater to a diverse community, yet also providing continuity for embedded traditions.

The research aims to explore shifts in the perception of Indian identity in South Africa with a specific consideration of a Hindu Gujarati identity in order to gain insight on the key architectural theme of transition. It also looks at how Indian culture can be celebrated, cherished and innovated in Lenasia by focusing on the rituals of papad making (food condiment), garba (devotional dance) and a Hindu Gujarati wedding. Key rituals practiced by them are explored in order to understand the spatial dialogue needed for the architecture.

The proposed program is a cultural centre that integrates the important rituals and daily activities that currently occur on the site. This is done by using the concept of transitioning which is explored through the circulation and form of the precinct.