Architecture and Design! - V.N. Giritharan -

[ Digital Art (Google Nano Banana technique) by VNG.]

The main aspect of architecture is design. Architecture, in short, can be described as designing the built environment. A city is filled with buildings. Architecture is the creation of this environment filled with buildings. How does architecture create buildings? This is where design becomes crucial. Architecture is not just about constructing buildings. Before constructing and designing these buildings, many factors must be considered.

Initial Steps and Their Importance in Building Design!

If a client wishes to build a structure, an architect must consider the following: What is the purpose of the building? Without understanding the objective, a building cannot be designed. For example, a client might want to create a home to live in, or an educational institution, or a library. Clearly understanding the client's objective is the first step in terms of design activities.

Makumbura Multimodal Transport Centre (MMC): An Excellent Example of Contemporary Sri Lankan Architecture and Urban Design! - V.N.Giritharan -

 Makumbura Multimodal Transport Hub (MMC) by Google Nano Banana AI

A crucial aspect of urban design is to alleviate traffic congestion in bustling metropolises. In this regard, the Makumbura Multimodal Transport Centre (MMC) located in Kottawa town  represents a significant achievement. It can be considered an excellent building designed by incorporating methods used in developed countries to reduce traffic congestion (e.g., Park and Ride), adapted to Sri Lanka's climate, and with public usability in mind. The architectural firm that designed it is 'Muditha Jayakody Associates (MJA)' led by architect Muditha Jayakody.

Architectural critics consider the Makumbura Multimodal Transport Hub to be a significant building in Sri Lanka's contemporary architecture. The design of the MMC emphasizes natural light, ventilation, and integration with the environment. It embodies the principles of tropical modernism in architecture. As such, the MMC stands as a good example of contemporary tropical architecture and is considered a significant contribution by Muditha Jayakody Associates to contemporary architecture.

Hester Basnayake, Sri Lanka's Pioneering Female Landscape Architect, and Her Ideas on Landscape Architecture! - V.N. Giritharan -

Many people are generally not as familiar with landscape architecture as they are with architecture. In reality, landscape architecture is another art form intertwined with architecture and urban planning. Sri Lanka's historical monuments, which are of great historical significance, serve as evidence of how important landscape architecture was in urban planning. For example, the contribution of landscape architecture to the urban planning of Sigiriya is evident. Similarly, the influence of landscape architecture can be seen in ancient viharas, historically important royal buildings, and temples. Today, this field is taught as a degree program at the University of Moratuwa. This post aims to briefly introduce Mrs. Hester Basnayake, one of the pioneers in Sri Lankan landscape architecture.

Diaspora Tamil Short Story 'MANHOLE' by V.N.Giritharan | Translation By: Latha Ramakrishnan (Revised)

Like the *Rajaraman of Jeyakanthan’s Rishimoolam, he had grown a beard and mustache. Keeping one leg in a squatting posture and the other raised and folded, he held his knee with his right hand. His left hand was placed firmly on the floor behind him. His hair had grown long. Half of a still burning cigarette remained in his mouth. Only his eyes were filled with a kind of abnormal glow. The man sitting on the manhole resembled a seer seated on a deerskin. If he was one of the wayside heroes, I was a small wayside vendor. And, selling hot dogs was my business.

Far away, in the north, the Ontario Parliament building could be seen. Behind me stood the famous children's medical institution, Sick Kids Hospital. For a while, the seer kept staring at the Parliament of Ontario, then he laughed.

Song listening time: ' Enna Solla Pogirai '

 
Tamil Song: Enna Solla Pogirai 
Movie: Kandukondain Kandukondain 
Music: A.R.Rahman 
Cast: Ajith Kumar & Tabu 
Singer: Shankar Mahadevan 
Lyrics: Poet Vairamuthu 

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Gep0IzKTcFI 

[ Digital Art (Google Nano Banana technique) by VNG.]

A Journey Experience That Touched the Heart!

There is a significant difference between the travel experiences written by a creative writer and those written by an ordinary person. The experiences penned by a creative writer will possess literary flavor and an expression of emotions. This makes them of high literary quality.

For example, one can mention the travel experiences written by author Nadesan. In his series on Indian travels, currently published in the online journal "Pathivukal," he has this time written about the Bhimbetka Rock Shelters (Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka) in Madhya Pradesh. These are caves containing paintings drawn by early humans across various periods.

While mentioning these paintings, he notes that he didn't have much interest or desire to see the cave paintings of early humans. However, since his wife wished to see them, he followed her wherever she went. His state of mind during this journey reminded him of lines from a Sangam poem.

That poem is the 256th song in the Purananuru collection. Its title is - "Make it wide!" It is one of the poems compiled without the name of its author. The poem is as follows:

Bharathi, the Great Poet Beyond His Time, the Poet of Liberation!

December 11, the remembrance day of Mahakavi Bharathiyar's birthday!

"I have completely realized that illusion is false;
Yet, I have not received the grace to understand
The nature of this Brahman. I also do not possess
The evil nature of devotion that accepts as truth
Whatever others say on this earth, without it being
Clear to my own intellect." - Bharathiyar -

Mahakavi Bharathiyar captivated and influenced me deeply. In his short life, he achieved a great deal. It is astonishing. There is no subject he did not contemplate: about his own existence, his birthplace, his country, the social environment he lived in, its shortcomings, women's liberation, national, class, and social liberation, human liberation, and Marxist political philosophies.