Tuesday, June 25, 2019

"Doshi" Review on archdaily.com

Balkrishna Doshi, despite his vast number of completed projects, is a little-known name in the Western world. Directed by Premjit Ramachandran, the documentary "Doshi" allows the viewer to appreciate the vision of this important Indian architect, probing his thoughts while getting to know a number of his projects. Filmed in a frank style of conversation, the documentary reveals an original and creative human being who, even in old age, remains passionate about architecture as well as life and learning.

The film becomes a roundtable with Doshi, his alumni, his contemporaries and even family members, all within the context of his architecture. The camera follows its protagonist through spaces designed by him, while he narrates, recalls and explains his processes of creation. It also reveals how he makes his philosophy an intrinsic part of his own life.

Doshi II / The Return To Formlessness





Ten years since we made the film on Doshi. As we revisit Sangath, Kamala House and Sarkhej we realise how blessed we are to be in the presence of a real Guru. At 92, he is still like a child curious to learn, inquisitive to see, touch, hear & feel the environments and people he comes in contact with.
It marks also a full circle 2009 to 2019. I have experienced a thousand lifetimes in these last ten years. We shot using the same Canon XH-A1 that Gautam gifted us back in 2008. Cosmic conclusions floating in the etheric spaces everywhere. And now with the magnetic presence of Arunachalam in my life, this time I am curious to see what comes out of this exercise in timelessness!