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The Guru and the King

To give the library an identity of its own while respecting the Parliament building, Rewal says he drew on Indian history and likened the relationship between buildings to the traditional relationship between guru and king. A guru acknowledges the power of the king — neither confronting nor submitting — and retains the strength of his integrity as a sage.

Hence, Rewal decided to sink part of the library underground, leaving two of the four floors above grade. The terrace of the library aligns with the first floor level of the Parliament building. Only the domes of the library rise higher. The sight lines leading to the colonnade and entablature of the Parliament are left unobstructed.

Also, the exterior walls of the library are clad in the same red and beige sandstone as that used in the Parliament building. This local stone has been used extensively in northern and northwestern India through the centuries and therefore expresses regionalism. In these two decisions regarding height and materials, the guru acknowledges the power of the king. But the guru's wisdom and integrity are demonstrated in the architecture of the library.

The plan of the building is inspired by precolonial Indian architecture such as the magnificent Taj Mahal, with its square base and symmetrical composition.

The plan of the richly adorned Datia Palace (1614 A.D.) in central India is said to be reminiscent of the ancient Indian mandala. The mandala has deep existential and spiritual meaning and is said to be used in temple architecture to achieve a spiritual experience of one's connection with the cosmos.

Another inspiration is the Adinatha Temple (1439 A.D.) at Ranakpur in western India. Adinatha is square in plan, with cardinal axes meeting at the center, leaving open-to-sky courtyards in the leftover spaces. In addition to being icons of Indian architecture, courtyard plans admit daylight and have social and climatic advantages.

Historically, Indian buildings with interior open-air spaces helped in defense. But for Rewal, in a library that needs neither defense nor ceremony, such forms seem to symbolize an introversion characteristic of the ancient Indian guru.

The Site and the Building

Located on a 10-acre (4-hectare) site, the library is nearly 590,000 square feet (55,000 square meters) in area and can accommodate three million volumes on the two basement floors. It has hi-tech networks and facilities for microfilm, multimedia, and satellite links.

Site conditions and trees prohibited the northwestern corner of the plan from being built, leaving the square incomplete. Otherwise the plan, with its courtyards and axes, is similar to historic precedents.

The full-height central core of the building, formed at the point of intersection of the two axes, houses the reading room for members of parliament (MPs), the research area and archival storage, committee room, and a banquet hall. Beyond this central core are the courtyards, and further beyond are separate entrance lobbies for MPs, scholars, and the public.

The corners of the incomplete square and the nodes formed at the ends of the axes are designated for various functions. The axes and the sides of the square form corridors and outline the courtyards.

Each courtyard symbolizes one aspect of the Indian constitution. One is an amphitheater, symbolizing freedom of expression. Another courtyard has a pool of water symbolizing equality. A tree forms the focal point of the third courtyard, representing social justice.   >>>

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Regionally quarried sandstone characterizes the Parliament Library in New Delhi, India by architect Raj Rewal. Photo: Raj Rewal Associates The tubular steel roof structure of the scholars' reading room with skylight panels inset in the roof domes. Photo: Raj Rewal Associates The calm pond in one courtyard symbolizes equality. Photo: Raj Rewal Associates Hand crafted stone jalis are used throughout the building. Photo: Raj Rewal Associates Glass block in the floor illuminates two basements below. Photo: Raj Rewal Associates Section looking south, showing the digital library (left), the full height central core, and the scholars' library (right). Image: Raj Rewal Associates The site plan of the Parliament Library showing the circular Parliament building to the south. Image: Raj Rewal Associates Ground floor plan. Image: Raj Rewal Associates   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.