9. The Jawahar Kala Kendra (JKK) Jaipur
The Jawahar Kala Kendra (JKK) in Jaipur, Rajasthan
Objectives :
Objective 2: To learn the influence of the Navagraha (nine planets) concept on the design of JKK.
Objective 3: To learn about the visitor-friendly infrastructure and facilities provided at JKK.
Objective 1: To understand the architectural inspiration of Jawahar Kala Kendra based on Vastu and Shilpa Shastra principles.
Architecture and Layout of Jawahar Kala Kendra Jaipur
Built with the intention of preserving the ancient culture, tradition and art of Rajasthan, the architectural concept of the Jawahar Kala Kendra is based on the principles of Vastu and Shilpa Shastra. The main building includes theatres, exhibition galleries, dormitories, restaurants, auditoriums and coffee house. Every separate section of the Jawahar Kala Kendra is based on a planet from the Navagraha and resembles the respective planet in color, character, astrological values and functionality.
The construction of the JKK building on the theme of nine planets adds unique attributes to the institution. Each section of the building resembles the characteristics of the respective planet. For instance, the library is located in the Jupiter section, which attributes to knowledge and wisdom.
Objective 2: To learn the influence of the Navagraha (nine planets) concept on the design of JKK
The entire complex is built in red sandstone and white marble with vastu symbols on the façade of each square structure.
As an illustration, the Library building is linked to the planet Jupiter and the attributes of the building resemble the characteristics of the planet. The favourable color of Jupiter is lemon yellow and the Library building is given the same color.
Since the quality of planet Jupiter is ‘knowledge’, and the library is a place where knowledge is either imparted or gained. Hence, the functionality of the building built under the position of the planet was dedicated to be a library with an additional water body outside the building to make the building appear livelier.
The roof is partially exposed to sun wherein the beams are joined by bamboo giving it an aesthetic feel. The library building is also called ‘Sandarbh’. The library boasts of having a collection of more than 14,000 books.
The central theatre is an open structure and is surrounded by the other 8 squares of the Navagraha mandala. The theatre is also called ‘Madhyavarti’. The seating area of the theatre is surrounded by 8 metre high red sandstone walls.
The cafeteria is linked to the moon or the lunar mandala.
The central dome over the entrance plaza of the Jawahar Kala Kendra has murals and paintings representing Jain mythology on the ceiling. However, most of the paintings depict more of cosmology and astronomy and few other paying tributes to the central theme of the building, art.
There is a rural complex with six huts symbolizing the rural ambience of various regions of Rajasthan setting adjacent to the Jawahar Kala Kendra complex that showcases rural set up of various other regions of Rajasthan namely, Shekhawati, Braj, Marwar, Hadoti, Tribal and Desert land. This complex is called Shilpgram and it hosts the annual folk art festival called ‘Lokrang’.
Theatres at Jawahar Kala Kendra Jaipur
The Jawahar Kala Kendra houses 3 theatres, one open and 2 closed. The Open theatre is more famous among the visitors and can accommodate 400 people at one time. The open theatre is located at the centre of the premises. Due to the location and its openness, young artists prefer to rehearse their plays here.
The other two theatres of JKK are called ‘Rangayan’ and ‘Krishnayan’. Rangayan hosts modern plays whereas Krishnayan hosts more intimate plays, particularly focussed on distinct subjects and issues of the society.
Galleries and Museums of Jawahar Kala Kendra Jaipur
The Jawahar Kala Kendra has a double storey exhibition space cum museum named Alankar Museum. The exhibits of the museum include artefacts and collection of wooden, ceramics, as well as decorative items ranging from intricately carved large wooden doors, to nobel furnitures to statues and sculptures of famous icons of Rajasthan to earthenware, lanterns, hookahs, etc. The entire collection is based on authentic Rajasthani tradition.
Exhibitions and Festivals at Jawahar Kala Kendra Jaipur
The Jawahar Kala Kendra hosts the famous multi-disciplinary performance arts festival, ‘Navras’. This festival is a week-long festival wherein visitors get to participate in the architecture walk of the Kala Kendra as the guide takes them for a tour of the complex.
In addition to the architecture walk, the other performances include theatre plays, music and traditional dance performances.
Another annual festival on country-folk art and culture is ‘Lokrang’. It is a 10- day festival usually held during October or November. There are several workshops, exhibitions, events as well as performances organized during this festival. The performances are done by folk- artists from all over the country.
Objective 3: To learn about the visitor-friendly infrastructure and facilities provided at JKK
Venue and Facilities
JKK has been constantly facilitating art-connoisseurs, scholars, artists, artisans and visitors in various capacities. Artists, scholars, cultural organisations and visitors are provided exhibition space, art studios, auditoriums, and coffee houses for showcasing their work and also for rejoicing the time.
