Rajoo Pradhan

A personal loss.. Rajoo Pradhan Sir was instrumental in my 1st formal introduction to landscape architecture practice… was fortunate to spend a year after the academic internship which helped lay the foundational learning about landscape. Extremely sensitive work,  soft spoken,  disciplined and strong character with a sublime and yet a deliberate way of teaching….He has and will always continue to occupy a special place in my heart.. may in spirit live the blessed soul and body rest in peace ..  Amen 🙏 🌷🙇‍♀️

I managed to keep in touch in initial years when I would frequent Mumbai,.
In 2016 we were to be together at a workshop hosted by LeAF foundation  ‘ Behind Closed Doors, Landscape Retreat ‘_  .. Unfortunately he cudnt be part of it due to health reasons..
Me n Umesh went on to meet him at his residence _ fortunately  he won the battle against the most feared disease.l_ cancer.
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In between,  fortunately there was ISOLA.  he would attend most programmes hosted by Mumbai Chapter and the National  conferences.. so we managed to stay in touch through this platform…and enriched further..
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I recall an incidence I was witness to  during my masters (2003/04) when ISOLA _ a professional body was undergoing a formative transformation _While drafting the policy for its membership was in process, Bade Sir and Aniket Sir (founder members of ISOLA) got into a moral debate whether Landscape Architecture practitioners should hv a mandatory degree in LA as the profession then was in a nascent stage – and few practioner were genuinely lending a lot towards it worth.
The discussion circled around the example of Rajoo Pradhan Sir, a name I was proudly amused to hear _ as I was trained there and had managed to fall furtherin love with landscape with more clarity this time _sheerly because I had fallen in the right hands.  ..  can they be the honoured the membership with due diligence of serving the profession through good praxis
_ as being inclusive to it would infact inturn grant respect and nurture the body of practioners well and elevate it in its  initial years.
Rajoo Pradhan Sir was contributing towards shaping the profession in his own way and lend it the  deserved status ..

He granted values that helped  establish and maintain ethical standards of the professional practice  whilst the pedagogy  of Landscape was in a nascent stage..

He was a man of less words .. with a deep voice and calm came a certain authoritativeness .. quality of leader..  to influence.. that may not make everybody happy.. But the opinion to righteousness matters..and I  fortunately landed in good books. 
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As an intern , in a small office, I managed to get the attention needed.. and his otherwise curt behavioral facade melted down when you would go with a drawing sheet with sincerity and learning spirit. I attempted shifting the landscape presentation drawings from drafting board to  computer (ACAD) and it was readily accepted.
With subtle inputs he would ask you your opinion and patiently read finely between the lines.. he had asked me draw 3 option for a gate..asked me which one I liked more and why.. then reasoned out how other was better and made me draft my 2nd choice..
Design Validation Mattered.
The learnings were subltle_ as were the teachings .. but with immense clarity.
Upto a level when he noticed that I would deny the office tea , he promptly made arrangements for my coffee everyday. Being subtly sensitive, empathetic (and non_boisterous) can create a soft long lasting mark on the minds of people..
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The recent discussion at the AGM open Mike session about mentoring reads even more in boldly to me now.. One realizes you had a ‘Mentor’ only after you find the right one … and it cannot be one person at one time or for life time.. every encounter is precious and valued more in absensce  ..  it only strengthens your belief system.. !!

I was lucky to have him hosted at my Pune residence.. but I hv somehow still not got into the ritualistic selfie art.. so do not have a moment frozen in a picture to share and now I know it’s relevance.. 

I will miss the unique Independance day Cards that came  every year without fail on occasion of his birthday.. (14th August 1947 _10 th October 2023)🙏🌟

THE DOSHI I KNOW: GIDO@65

27th August 2023,

THE DOSHI KNOW : GIDO@65

When I came to Pune with Umesh , there were barely 3 homes that he took me to first . 2 were extended family by relation of blood and third one was Manikanchan..
I was naïve that time about architecture .. I guess I wanted to pursue education further through landscape because even after’ studying’it for 5 years , I never understood it..
Then CEPT and Ahmedabad happened. I knew there was The Doshi ( B.V. ) as founder of the school , but had never had the opportunity to interact with him in person.., later it was an image that had lot of awe and never felt it was reachable- God like….
So for me , the Doshi I know is always been you -A persona that is a magnet to many and is always at ease with self and that ease comforts many souls.. be it the trainees in the studio or the masters or starchitects that are hosted , Manikanchan is a witness to this egalitarian way of life.
The warmth that Navkaar dispenses with a fatherly figure that made everyone feel home along with Bhabhiji and there was Baa then, Indianness, and rootedness and all that we discuss on dais’/ platforms is what you experience here for us to drench ourselves in.
Theres a small garden near Aundh Someshwar wadi Temple at Pashan , where they have made theses replica of villages scenes , a concept with all the different experts & skillsets that participate in making of the village and support the social system… it showcases how things worked in the past.., theres always a village Doctor , a village potter , a temple Pujari, Chambhar , Lohar , Sutar etc.., .. Well, apparently as mentioned in one my earlier notes on vernacular practices and traditional professionals, this 12 Balutedar system of Maharashtrian village. Did not ofcourse have the specific discipline of an architect. The whole village used to build the homes by participatory act for each other.
Yet…, the most Interesting part of these scenes is that, each has a workspace in the frontyard or patio – off the the street and house for the family is behind. and the place is open and accessible for any and everyone seeking expertise- Navkaar Studio exactly impresses this model..Its a house of not a person or a family but of a disclipline , a praxis
It is a place that always has something new to offer, literally or otherwise. It offers a sense of belonging, a feeling of home to many like us who come to Pune to seek clarity on architecture first and life later…
After few years I can relate what Umesh must’ve experienced when he landed in this city without anyone of knowhow …and a blurry future…, in the profession with so much vulnerability and so many unknowns of practice, lot of SELF DOUBT certain things help a stay afloat, reassure, hold on to the discipline.. Especially the home of Shri Upadhyay, did play as much a large role in shaping us in our growing years that we can never thankyou enough for being a channel for that encounter with Nirmala. It has been one of the best things that happened to us so far….
Words are never enough to express a gratitude for the non- material, intangible but has a significant underlying influence on our lives. That which adds value to our beings and makes our life more meaningful..
There are certain people who come to your life for giving .. and you can never in any form return or balance it out.. if at all, it might be by passing it on through the legacy you believe in or the value system that you may adopt … So hope to learn a lot about ‘giving’ from you..
You have and shall continue to be that channel to us.. You are that ‘Doshi’ for us.

I believe Gurus (or Mentors) reveal to those who seek them.. They arrive in different forms in our lives and at different times. Certain lucky ones can find them early on and luckier ones can find more than one – after n beyond parents ..
Yet , Birthdays are about gifts , We often give gifts to re-confirm or establish our connection with others, which means that they’re a reflection of both the giver and the receiver, as well as their unique relationship. 

(Fab India Voucher is for you to remember us 😉 Pls enjoy a joyride shopping with Bhabiji – an experience to cherish while

the BOOK is a mere symbolic gesture !.. as we couldn’t think of anything better than ‘TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE, by Mitch Albom, at this point. Once again after my First Guru ( Bade Sir ) who taught me to think for myself and that my way of thinking has value- and Umesh who believes in your way of life- likewise .

So its again not for you, but a reassurance for us in turn… a mere feeling that encompasses in words – of what it all means to us …
You are the Morrie for us and I am sure for many more alike ..

Happy Birthday Sir.
Love
Umesh & Prachi
27th August 2023
P.S.: And I am secretly amused that I share the date of birth and Umesh the Birth month with you.