Remember any structure as one moves towards the zoo
towards Pragati Maidan. One remembers the Purana Qila, and then the honey
combed structures within the Pragati Maidan. The structures an integral part of
the exhibition area usually evokes memories of innumerable exhibitions held
there. The best of all the exhibition, the India International Trade Fair. For
most, it visually reiterates that Pragati Maidan has been reached.
The space within the hall of nations is stupendous
and can accommodate almost anything. Probably since this was designed to be a
general exhibition ground without any specifics, the area was thus designated.
The architect, the well acclaimed Raj Rewal.
Their website - www.rajrewal.in describes the structure
thus, “ Building Type – Exhibition, Year – 1972, “ The Permanent Exhibition
Complex is designed to form the focus of 130 acres of Exhibition ground
designed by Raj Rewal in New Delhi. The design was evolved to meet the
constraints of time, availability of materials and labour but to above all to
reflect symbolically and technologically, India’s intermediate technology in
the 25th year of its independence. The depth of the structural
system was utilized as a Sun breaker and conceived of in terms of the
traditional 'jali', a geometrical pattern of perforation that serves to
obstruct directs rays of the harsh Sun while permitting air circulation. The
main pavilion of the Hall of Nations has a clear span of 78 metres and a
height. varying from three metres to 21 metres, thereby providing a vast
capacity for items to be exhibited, from books to bulldozers.”
The Halls of Industries and Nehru Pavillion add to the design
impact.
This defines the ethos of the building. For me, like countless
others, the site of the building is the sense of an exhibition ground where
one got to see some extremely interesting and new things. It was a place
where I was carted by my parents during the weekends to see the exhibitions.
Earlier, it lasted a good month and was extended on popular demand. Unlike,
now there were no traffic jams. It was a nice big place with plenty of trees.
Evenings were beautiful with lights, music almost like a fairyland. The
banners on the trees, the balloons all added to a child’s wonder. The same
wonder relives when I make an annual pilgrimage to the IITF now of course
during the business hours on the business days. The excitement and enthusiasm
still remains. How else can I describe the countless new crafts, textiles,
food that I have discovered there.
At the time the Hall of Nations was built, it was a symbol of the
growing India, the modern Delhi and India. The Hall of Nation was a symbol
put on postage stamps and it was glorified. The ITPO or Indian Trade
Promotion Organisation has been wanting to demolish this and build a glitzy
more modern exhibition centre. There have been appeals to save the structure.
What will be the fate? The future will decide. For now, enjoy the building
capture it and feel the pulse of what Delhi once was.
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