17-05-2012, 04:36 PM
Muzharul Islam
Muzharul Islam- Pioneer of Modern Architecture in Bangladesh.pdf (Size: 20.38 KB / Downloads: 26)
His pioneering works from the 1950 s onward marked the beginning of modernism in
Bangladesh (then East Pakistan). He brought about a massive change in the contemporary scene
of International Style Architecture of Bangladesh. He is none other than the most influential
architects of Bangladesh, Architect Muzharul Islam. Being a teacher, architect, activist and
politician he has set up the structure of architectural works in the country through his varied
works. His commitment to societal changes and his ethics for practicing architectures is visible in
his work. These thoughts are more like a means of progress towards transformation and changes
rather than drawing a conclusion by themselves.
The existence of Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, as a sustainable city is the most critical
statement that confronts it today. It is not only difficult but would be quiet inaccurate to judge this
issue from its current architectural and planning scenario. Although there is a recent ever growing
building activity going on in the city, it hardly compliments the surrounding environment it is being
built on. These steel, concrete and brick structures of varied types and heights are growing
rapidly, resulting a decrease of open space and water bodies. Roads bear more traffic and
congestions and the air we breathe in is becoming more contaminated. Today Dhaka could be
denoted as a nation which proves that sheer building activity is not satisfactory to make a decent
and liveable city.
Dhaka is a city which carries the heritage of more than 400 years of her history. Looking back at
its historical past helps to understand the different architectural phases it has experienced and
also compliments some of the marked architectures of the country. The city gained eminence with
the dawn of the Mughals in Bengal, but there are traces of architectural ruins which prove her
existence prior the Mughals. Dhaka still embraces the reminiscence of mosques, tombs, forts,
caravanserais and bridges from the 1610 1717 Mughal periods. Under the initiative of the
colonial administrators of the British rule the Architectural scenario of Dhaka malformed again. It
evoked new areas with new buildings and the city grew in importance as an administrative,
educational and commercial center. The beginning of the twentieth century marks for the bulk of
colonial architectures still existing in Dhaka city.