The Complete Taj Mahal and Living Architecture: Islamic Indian - Book Report/Review Example

Name Instructor Task Date The Complete Taj Mahal and Living Architecture: Islamic Indian Introduction This study explores two books, The Complete Taj Mahal by Ebba Koch and Living Architecture: Islamic Indian by Andreas Volwahsen aptly. Ebba Koch is an architectural historian and an art historian, whereas Andreas Volwahsen is a German author and photographer. Ebba and Andreas main theme in their respective books is the theme of Indian architecture, specifically the early Mughal Agra architectures. Mughal architecture is a unique, symmetrical and ornate style developed by the Mughals in the 16th to 18th centuries. Ebba and Andreas work on the Mughal architectures has made immense contributions on the historical understanding of the early modern India. The authors achieved this through Ebba collaborating with Richard Barraud who is an Indian architect, who shot and drew pictures of the Taj Mahal while Andreas took an expedition and wrote tales of his journey through India while taking pictures. Review of the Two Books The Complete Taj Mahal by Ebba Koch talks about the architectural designs of the Taj Mahal in India, whereas, Living Architecture: Islamic Indian by Andreas Volwahsen, the German author, shows excellent pictures of early Mughal constructions. Ebba states that although the Taj Mahal is a world renowned building little is documented about it; this is the position Ebba Koch fills (Koch, 24). On the other hand, Andreas’ book contains well executed photographs printed as heliogravure with natural tonality. It explores the science of imagination found in Indian architecture by illustrating several interior and exterior creations of buildings. The reader gets to know the idea behind the construction of Taj Mahal in Eboch’s book. It was built by the fifth Indian ruler shah Jahan as a deathbed wish for his preferred spouse Mumtaz. It is situated near Yamuna River and borders the market where it was said he first saw Mumtaz selling ornaments. In Living Architecture: Islamic Indian, Volwahsen was a traveller; hence he has intertwined his photographs with entertaining stories of his journeys in villages making the book compelling (Volwahsen, 105). Meanwhile, Ebba reveals that she has been operational in the gardens and palaces for thirty years and in the Taj Mahal itself for a decade (Koch, 254). Ebba documents about the white marble mausoleum and the mosque, guest house, the garden, the great gate, the fore court, the servant quarters of the tomb attendants, the now lost bazaar and caravanserai complex (Koch, 103). Ebba Koch gives extensive information on the floral arrangement of the famous pietre dure in white marble and marble and red sand stone carvings. He describes the Taj Mahal as a single monument, a domed mausoleum raised on a terrace with four minarets within a formal garden. The author states that the symbolic meaning of the palace is that the palace represents the abode of the queen in heaven. Central issues The two authors have presented key issues in their works. In The Complete Taj Mahal, Ebba Koch presents the readers with the primary issue of how to save the Taj Mahal. The three hundred and fifty year old buildings are quickly deteriorating through contamination by the Yamuna River and shoddy repairs (Koch, 103). The author states that India’s large population, swift economic expansion and laid-back ecological regulations are to blame for the buildings present condition. The author aims at finding supporters to save the funerary tomb and headstone of love through reconstruction (Koch, 103). Whereas, in his book Living Architecture: Islamic Indian, author Andreas Volwahsen primary issue is the issue of promoting the Mughal architecture as it deployed magnificent structures in their time up to date. The splendour of the structures is shown in the superb snaps. The pictures are coated and planned creatively and augment the exquisiteness and durability. Second key issues to be addressed by the authors is, Ebba states about the renovation of the world wonder; the Taj Mahal. She undertakes renovating the palace with authorization of the India tourism panel. She excavates and ensures that the palace remains a world wonder and a tourism attraction. Whereas the second issue, by Andreas is to enlightening of the readers about Indians, their cultures and lifestyle. The Mughal architect was a revered form of Indian art that is practised only in India. By publishing his expedition stories and shooting pictures of the beautiful spaces, the earth is induced to embrace this culture. Tackle of Issues The authors have organized an outstanding work in addressing the issues they have raised in their books. Ebba first infuriates readers by stating the omission of documentation of a world wonder like the Taj Mahal, then goes ahead to elicit joy by describing its beauty and the reason behind the construction. She furthers raises anger of the readers by stating the pathetic condition of the building due to economic and environmental factors. This brings the quandary to the media’s awareness prompting the Government to aid in saving the world wonder. On the other hand, Andreas demonstrates his words with stunning pictures of spaces with elaborate designs. This elevates the moods of readers who cherish the designs and begin to embrace the Indian Mughal designs. Through his fascinating and entertaining expedition stories, readers are enlightened on Indian cultures, thus get interested to travel and find out. Slighted Pertinent Issues In my judgement, I think that there are quite a few issues left out by both authors. Firstly, both authors have left out the delicate topic of the architectural process. The readers are left in suspense as to how the buildings were constructed; being that they were erected in an era when there was no technology that could aid in building such magnificent constructions. Secondly, both authors concentrate only on the celebrated Mughal architecture, yet there are scores of styles in Indian architecture that are intriguing as the Mughal. Projected Audience The two authors have differently projected audience for their books. In Ebba Koch’s book, the complete Taj Mahal, the intended audience is the general public and academics, while, In Andreas Volwahsen’s book; the targeted addressees are the architectures. Ebba enlightens the general public on the magnificence and history of the Taj Mahal. The pictures tell a fantastic tale and the dome shaped buildings with the gardens entertain the general public (Koch, 219). Ebba also targets the intellectuals that get to learn about the history of Indian buildings. The Taj Mahal is world wonder and academics get to know the mysteries of the structure and the legend behind it. Andreas Volwahsen, on the other hand, seems to be advertising the buildings to contemporary architects in the hope that they embrace the Mughal art. The living spaces illustrated in the book are a rare beauty with obscure designs that most contemporary architects have no know how to design or construct. Architects are enlightened on the designs and how to design such edifices to inculcate integration with current designs. Production Values Both authors have managed to exhibit high value shoots and drawings that edge out the intended meaning. Ebba’s photographs of the Taj Mahal are superb as it has been shot in colour, hence depicting the real images as it is (Koch, 67). The print work of Ebba is clear, unforgettable and easy to read making it a high class production value. Like wise, Andreas’ pictures are incredible that they look superhuman and alien like, yet they are early Mughal designs. Since the author was a traveller his stories in the book are charming, engaging and pleasant. Therefore, both books have achieved high class production value, even though Andreas’ photographs are in black and white. In fact, the pictures seem more gripping in black and white. Quotes Comparison Andreas Volwahsen quotes from his book, “There is no ‘one truth’ out there that has to be achieved by the architects...”“...simpler cultures of an indigenous people who dwelt in villages. The urban inhabitants already seem to have been familiar with bronze tools, for example, whereas the villagers worked entirely with stone axes. However in considering urban, social structures as for ...” (Volwahsen, 105). Ebba quotes from his book believing that Taj Mahal is, “...a replica here on earth of the paradisiacal house of Mumtaz...” (Koch, 215). The two quotes on the same theme of Indian Mughal construction bring out the difference in styles and methods of approach of the two authors. Whereas Ebba uses an enticing, and casual tone in illustrating her work Andreas uses a serious tone which is formal like a documentary. Conclusion The two books are exciting works on Indian cultures and Mughal architectures. Ebba makes the Taj Mahal become alive with colour pictures and elicits the longing to visit the place, even though the world wonder is rapidly deteriorating. On the other hand, Andreas shoots buildings with unbelievable constructions in black and white but look like buildings of the future. He too stresses on the beauty of the Mughal designs by his Heliogravure photographs. In my view, the two books are first-rate picture paperbacks which will aid academics and the general public in the understanding of the early Mughal architectures and early Indian lifestyles. Works Cited Koch, Ebba. The Complete Taj Mahal and the Riverfront Gardens of Agra. New Delhi: Bookwise, 2006. Print. Volwahsen, Andreas. Living Architecture: Islamic Indian. New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1970. Print. Read More