Students of Architecture along with two faculty members, Prof. Vibha Gajjar and Prof. Sujan Umraniya visited Shekhawati region and Jaipur as part of Related Study Program and Field Studio from Dec 17-30, 2024. The Shekhawati region in Rajasthan, India, is renowned for its rich heritage of havelis (traditional mason) and vernacular built forms. Known as the “Open Art Gallery of Rajasthan,” Shekhawati boasts an extraordinary collection of fresco paintings adorning the walls, ceilings, and facades of these havelis. The havelis, built predominantly during the 18th and 19th centuries by wealthy merchants, showcase intricate craftsmanship and a blend of Rajput and Mughal Architectural styles. These structures typically feature: Elaborate courtyards for social and religious gatherings, Jharokhas (overhanging balconies) and ornate gateways, Chhatris (domed pavilions) adding to their grandeur. Students learned the vernacular-built forms in Shekhawati use locally sourced materials, with designs adapted to the arid climate, ensuring functionality alongside aesthetic appeal. The intent to study these havelies are to make students experience the spatiality developed by master masons that respond to the local material and climate. They also understood and documented the frescoes (painted using natural pigments) depict a range of themes: Mythological stories from Hindu epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, Historical events and portraits of rulers, Colonial influences, with images of trains, automobiles, and Europeans.
