About Crafts of Kullu-Spiti in Cept University, Ahmedabad

This course is specifically designed to give students an opportunity to gain an in depth knowledge of how local arts and crafts are an integral part of built forms of a particular community. It is focused on exploring ways in which the local arts and crafts are incorporated and/or integrated in the interior architecture of built structures (primarily religious buildings) the Kullu and Spiti valleys in Himachal. The relative isolation of these parts of India is the main reason for focusing in these geographies: While other parts of India have similar tradition of incorporating arts and crafts in architecture, not many are so concentrated in one locality or remain intact to such an extent.
The course has essentially two aspects: One is a blend of in-class overview and field trips to get a thorough understanding of the traditional arts and crafts of Kullu and Spiti valleys. The latter would include on-site visits to studios and workshops of practitioners of the arts and crafts, during which students will have an opportunity to practise the crafts. This will be a more open-ended exploration of the application or integration of arts and crafts in interior architecture both ancient and contemporary. Students will be provided guidelines for carrying out such explorative studies, which then they will document as a field journal. This process will lead to a deeper appreciation of the symbiosis between arts and crafts and built forms.
During the entire course, while the students acquire knowledge and understanding of local arts and crafts and their application in built structures.
They will also be encouraged to explore ways in which elements of arts and crafts can be integrated in modern interior architecture. And in doing so help develop a novel symbiosis between arts and crafts and modern architecture.

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