The symposium provided students with an opportunity to engage directly with an architect whose work, spanning more than six decades, has contributed significantly to the evolution of contemporary Indian architecture. Bringing together perspectives from architecture, interiors, art, craft and design, the event encouraged participants to explore connections across disciplines and understand design as a practice closely linked to people, culture and society.
A key highlight of the symposium was the screening of Indian Modernity: The Architecture of Raj Rewal, a film examining the architect’s work and approach to design. The screening was followed by a talk by Ar Rewal and an open interaction with students.
During the discussion, Rewal shared insights into his architectural philosophy, which reflects an engagement with India’s cultural, climatic and social contexts while responding to contemporary needs. The interaction also provided students with an opportunity to understand how architectural ideas develop through professional practice, how designers navigate real-world constraints and how individual convictions influence creative work over time.
During the symposium, Ar Rewal also launched the Backpackers Academy of Life Trail 1: Kerala, an initiative of the Global Village Foundation. Its first trail is planned across Kerala in December 2026.
The symposium was envisioned by Dr Sanjeev Vidyarthi, Provost of Anant National University, and curated by Ar Jabeen Zacharias, Professor of Practice at the university. It was coordinated by Prof Risha Roy, Associate Professor and Lead, Sustainable Fashion and Textile Design, and Co-lead, Transdisciplinary Design, Anant National University, with support from the wider academic and organising team.
The event reinforced Anant National University’s interdisciplinary approach to education by encouraging students to view architectural, artistic and cultural traditions as resources for contemporary innovation rather than limitations on new thinking. By facilitating direct engagement with accomplished practitioners and documenting their experiences, the university aims to create learning opportunities beyond the classroom and contribute to a broader exchange of design knowledge.
At Anant National University, education is guided by the belief that the future will not be inherited but purposefully designed. Under the philosophy “Come, Create the New,” the university brings together learners who seek to understand the world as it exists while exploring possibilities for what it could become. Students are encouraged to move beyond conventional answers and engage with complex contemporary challenges, ranging from climate and sustainability to cities, communities, systems and technologies.
The university offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes across design, architecture, climate action and visual arts. Its educational approach combines academic rigour with studio-based learning, emerging technologies, research, entrepreneurship, Indigenous Knowledge Systems and practical engagement with communities. The aim is to develop practical skills while preparing diligent professionals who can connect disciplines, understand context and create meaningful change.
Recognised as a Centre of Excellence by the Government of Gujarat, Anant National University received a 5-Star Rating in Architecture and a 4-Star Rating in the University category under the Gujarat State Institutional Rating Framework (GSIRF) 2023-24. These recognitions reflect the university’s commitment to building an innovative institution that brings together creativity, sustainability, innovation and purpose to help shape a more thoughtful and resilient future.
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