Reinvigorating the past reminiscence through collective memory: a case of Kumbakonam's traditional core/

Abstract

India's urban environment is known for its vibrant continuity and interconnectedness of people and places. As a result, the spatial systems of old Indian cities are often the product of the city's cultural traits. But cities being living entities, which transforms rapidly with the course of time and influence the societies. Due to such changing social structure, many features have been faded out. People or communities might get disconnected from the urban environment as a result of such. Thus, the notion of collective memory in the Indian cities are affected. The extent to which this memory is used has a significant impact on the way cities grow. The effects of such collective memory can be the missing link causing the infrequent urban interactions. This have triggered significant changes in terms of physical surroundings, activities, and place experiences. Thus the aim of this Postgraduate thesis is to contribute for a better understanding of the urban memory’s impact on urban life and, its contribution to the conservation of societies in the traditional urban neighborhoods. This could be understood through series of investigative analysis by comparing the spaces developed through cultural appreciation and its present urban scenario. For this purpose, we will explore and examine these cultural traits of the temple town of Kumbakonam. The town has been subjected to rising urbanization pressures in recent decades, with little consideration for the historical qualities of the urban architectural heritage. The town is transforming its shape both socially and spatially in various traits which has a greater impact on its identity and collective memory. There is a greater shift in the people’s mental image of the town from traditional to a contemporary. This is due to the influence of transformation in the opportunities, lifestyle, activity pattern and utilization of public spaces. Preservation of such collective memory could add value to Urban areas thereby to support a sustainable way of transformation, which is much needed in the present scenario. Thus the intend of this thesis is to reinvigorate the past reminiscence of the traditional core of Kumbakonam, by determining the relationship between peopleand urban spaces, also the dynamics of social life that affects the unique spatial arrangements of the town. It also aids in evaluating the functionality of key urban spaces and appropriate interventions to it