Architecture is a manifestation and expression of culture.

Built expression is basically the study of the

built environment and the role of material and techniques in architecture. Over the ages with
advancement in technology and materials the building methods and ideology has also evolved. India
being one of the countries that still believe and practice traditional architecture has a diverse range of
built forms. People build their houses using traditional materials till date along with the traditional
aspects of the history involved. Religious beliefs have till date being the most acknowledged part of
every man living in this country. They still practice the original methods of certain things that were
started by their ancestors. These traditional practices tend to impact the architecture of the place along
with the ways to build them.

Culture, tradition and customs play an important role for a civilization and character of its citizens and
society. It helps in striking the balance with Mother Nature, conservation of natural resources and
respecting each other. Geographical spread, seasons, weather and type of agriculture produce are the
basic pillars for any culture.

So the way we integrate our resources for food, clothing and shelter becomes our culture.
To teach our generations, how we have to do it and how we can conserve it, respect it, becomes
tradition. When we live in a clan, tribe, group or a society we have to follow some set of rules,
principles, policies or laws which becomes customs. Therefore without our culture, traditions and
customs we are a complete disconnect with our soul. Buildings inherently and unavoidably document
the everyday life of a culture. They are repositories of the patterns of activity, association and movement
of a society or people. It is easy to admire vernacular examples of environments deeply rooted in local
culture. 

Louis Sullivan, the great American architectural pioneer, stated these early modern notions well
at the beginning of the 20th century when he wrote, “Nothing more clearly reflects the status and
the tendencies of a people than the character of its buildings. 

Moreover, architectural structures help all citizens appreciate the richness of their heritage developed
over centuries; they reflect political and cultural forces in tangible form. History and heritage have
an important role in building a nation's cultural identity.

Singhpura being a case study for all the aspect as to how the village still believes in the traditional way
of construction and still flows all the practices from the time the village was established around 500
years ago. It is a small village located amidst the national park of Orchha, Jhansi which is a part of the
central state pf our country Madhya Pradesh. Stepping into the village give everyone the presence of a
completely new world which was pure and natural. When we focus on the smaller things in the village
there are very many beautiful details to look about. The village being completely based on traditional
practices is a group of around 50-60 households. There is no particular manner in which the houses are
organized but it is divided into 2 segments without a built form but two different communities living in
the village, Adivasi’s and Yadav’s. When we focus on the components of Adivasi houses they are not
pakka houses. The materials used by them are clay, twigs, wood, some handmade brick tiles and
khapral. When we move towards the Yadav houses they are much more permanent than the Adivasi
houses. The materials used to are brick tiles, khapral, stones, mud mortar, wood logs, and plaster. The
people of this village tend to spend their day doing all the work in the old traditional ways. For example
the ladies of the village still fetch the water from a well that is located at the entrance of the village by
take at least 5 round with around 4 pots every time. The day of these people begin with the usual
cleaning of their houses and then followed by making of the meal for the whole family. They prefer to
do all the work including cleaning, feeding their cattle, making food, farming etc. on their own. The
villagers practice occupations like farming, sweet making to this date which has being into their families
for generations.

The houses constructed in the village were made by the members of the family itself. This includes the
materials/ components that were used to build the houses. Talking to 51 years old Renu, a resident of the
village, a interesting statement was made by her “ we do what we do but everything is pure as it is we
who did it, we realize the important of everything because we put our sweat and hard work into it which
makes it even more important to protect it”. Since the village will soon be demolished as the government
is converting the area into a part of the national park. Soon all that would be left of this traditional
village is some foundations and left over materials from the houses.

ISHIKA SARAWAGI
1ST YEAR 2ND SEMESTER
SOCIOLGY
SCHOOL OF PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURE, DELHI