You cannot be a “well-rounded architect” unless you have learnt the basics of Vastu Shastra. This Shastra or Knowledge is believed to be the foundation on which traditional Indian architecture study rests, believes IIT-Kharagpur. Thus, country’s oldest and largest IIT will introduce the basics of Vast Shastra to first and second-year undergraduate architecture students this August. Those pursuing post-graduation or research scholars in infrastructure will get a detailed grounding on the subject.
Why Vaastu Shastra in Curriculum
As a concept, Vastu Shastra did not figure in the architecture and infrastructure syllabi. Faculty members were looking at re-orienting teaching-learning for the coming academic session. Here they felt that if the students are being taught basic concepts prevalent in the West, there is no reason why they shouldn’t be conversant with ancient Indian architectural traditions which aren’t religion based (they claimed).
‘Vastu in Global Perspective’–a first workshop on the subject was held any the RCGSIDM wing of IIT-Kgp. It attracted Vastu experts from across the country. “Times are changing and across the globe there is a renewed interest in ancient Indian knowledge. So, it is natural that we will tweak our syllabus to include Vastu in architecture and infrastructure classes,” said Joy Sen, head of RCGSIDM and a faculty member of the architecture department.
The Introduction Levels
1. Vaastu will be introduced in graded modules to UG architecture students, who are taught courses like basic design and history of architecture.
2. PG infrastructure course will have BTech students from departments of architecture, civil, electrical, mechanical and even management graduates
3. Students will have assignments, projects and tests on the Vastu concept
“Today, the whole world is looking at green living, after suffering due to erratic concretization. Vastu revolves around the healthy relationship of nature and infrastructure, hence its modern relevance,” Sen informed.
