Research in Temple Architecture : Adam Hardy in Conversation with Salil Sayed

In the field of Indian Temple Architecture research Dr. Adam Hardy is a prominent name. He has pursued this subject for almost 35 years. His approach to the study of temple architecture is form based in a sense that he has tried to decipher the language of temple architecture and use it to decode every specimen. With this approach he has discovered a previously unknown form called Vivāta which finds a rare mention in Samarāṅgaṇasutradhāra that has been overlooked so far. His familiarity with the critical apparatus of 20th century philosophy enables him to refer to the work of his precursors and contemporaries in a wisely informed manner. Presently he is also engaged as an architect in a temple building project in Karnataka. This puts him in an interesting position where his own critical values are challenged. Students of architecture have a lot to gain from his insights in working in India with contemporary research methodologies, multidisciplinary approach, dealing with ancient and medieval texts and artifacts, post-colonial theory and its aftermath, relating research practice with architectural practice, and institutionalizing a research project like his Prāsāda research group. His humility and wisely wondering makes interaction with him a joyful learning experience. In this interview to be conducted over email and/or skype we plan to gather some of these and present them faithfully in an article form. Our primary goal is relevance to the evolving architectural research in India.