80th birthday of Muzharul Islam
Bangladesh's first modern architect
Fuad H Mallik
His work, knowledge and vision have inspired the architects of this country since he started his career as an architect in the early fifties. The country had just gained independence from 200 years of British rule and was left with the legacy of the colonial building tradition. Postwar developments in architecture in the western countries were going through an exciting period of discovering new ways to give meaning and expression to architecture. That was the height of the modernist movement. Islam on returning from the USA with a degree in architecture single-handedly steered thecourse of the profession in this country towards modern thinking. His buildings were a bold departure from the prototypical colonial style of building. The Institute of Fine Arts and the Public Library were the first buildings he designed. The simple geometry of the plan, harmony with the surroundings and the graceful lines of the elevation were the beginnings of a style that he would steadfastly maintain in all his designs. What is perhaps most important is the sense of place. Modernity for him was not a departure from roots. Response to culture, tradition, topography and climate were all present in the language of his architecture. Muzharul Islam was born in 1923 in Murshidabad and graduated from Calcutta University in 1942 before obtaining an engineering degree from Shibpur Engineering College in 1946. He had an interest in architecture from childhood, having been brought up in architecturally rich environments (Krishnanagar, Murshidabad, Chittagong and Kolkata). In the late 40's when he saw the opportunity to study architecture in the USA on a scholarship he took up the offer with enthusiasm. Thus we see a person who was a science graduate and an engineer embarking on a long journey to the University of Oregon to study architecture. He received his Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1952.After returning home he started working for the C&B department and was also a visiting teacher at Ahsanullah Engineering College, now BUET. In 1957 he went to London for postgraduate studies in Tropical Architecture at the famous Architectural Association School of Architecture. In 1960 he again went abroad, this time to Yale University, USA for his Masters in Architecture. He studied under the famous architect and educator Paul Rudolph and returned to his government job in 1961. He started private practice with the establishment of 'Vastukalabid', his office at Dhaka in 1964. During the last 39 years of practice he has designed and seen to the realisation of a large number of projects some of which are landmarks in the history of modern architecture in this region. Amongst them are the Institute of Arts and Crafts and the Library Building at Dhaka University, BCSIR Laboratories, National Institute of Public Administration, Master plans of Chittagong and Jahnagirnagar Universities, buildings at the Jaipurhat Limestone and Cement Project, National Archives and Library and the office building for World Bank in Dhaka. He has been the President of both the Institute of Architects of Pakistan and later Institute of Architects, Bangladesh. In 1999 he was awarded a honourary fellowship of the American Institute of Architects. He received the Grand Master Award at the South Asian Architecture Award Ceremony and was awarded a Gold Medal by the Institute of Architects, Bangladesh. He was honoured with the Independence Day Award in 1999. He has been a jury member for many national and international design competitions and awards including the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, the design competition for the Grand Mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan, the headquarters building of the Islamic Development Bank in Jeddah, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building at Riyadh, the National Monument at Savar, the Victory Memorial at Dhaka. Muzharul Islam was instrumental in the commissioning of Louis I Kahn to design Second Capital Complex in Dhaka, then the provincial capital of East Pakistan. The realisation of this project and the National Assembly Building has put Bangladesh on the architectural map of the world. Undeniably this is one of the most important representation of 20th century architecture. He played an active role in the setting up of the first school of architecture in Bangladesh. As a founder member and president of Chetana, an architectural study group, he has worked extensively on the documentation of old buildings in Bangladesh. All throughout his life, he has been working for legalising the practice of Architecture in the country and has been an activist for laws for the total physical planning of the country. Muzharul Islam continues to practice architecture at Vastu-kalbid, 3, Paribag, Dhaka and inspire us all. Fuad H Mallik is professor of architecture and department head, BRAC University
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