Abstract:
some parts of Europe all mention the bustling marketplaces in their popular
culture. They weren’t just the main centers of trade and business, but were
multifunctional entities that contributed to the social and cultural exchange
between people and civilizations. These marketplaces were called by different
names in different regions and languages; Bazaar in Persian, Souk in Arabic
etc. A bazaar was originally an open-air marketplace that was held outside
cities at locations where incoming caravans stopped and merchants displayed
their goods for sale.
Today, bazaars tend to be found in a city's medina (old quarter) and are often
important tourist attractions. These bazaars often extended beyond buying
and selling goods to include major festivals involving various cultural and
social activities. They form networks, linking major cities with each other in
which goods, culture, people and information can be exchanged.
This dissertation project aims to revitalise the importance and essence of a
bazaar, in a modern context. It talks about cultural awareness among the
youth, and how essential it is. The arts and crafts of Gujarat are highlighted
and integrated in this project to make masses aware of the rich cultural history
that the state has.
The site chosen for the project, Sanskar Kendra, provides the perfect
envelope for the kind of environment I intended to have in my bazaar. It is
very historically significant to the city, and had great scope for the overall
design of the bazaar.
