Form and Function in Artisans' Dwellings: A Study of Vankar Community in Bhujodi Village of Kachchh

Abstract

This study focuses on the form and function of dwellings in Bhujodi, an artisans’ village known for its rich cultural heritage. The research aims to explore how the artisans’ community utilizes their physical built environment to reflect their cultural identity. While other communities reside in the village, this research specifically concentrates on the artisans’ community. Primary and secondary surveys will be conducted to gather information about the village, and the dwellings of the artisans will be analyzed in terms of their social and spatial organization as well as their adaptability towards their profession. The study seeks to draw inferences that shed light on how these houses serve as reflections of the artisans’ cultural identity. The study of how artisans’ residences are constructed and utilized in Bhujodi village adds to our comprehension of local cultural resources, acquiring valuable knowledge to preserve and map the village’s cultural identity is possible with these findings that provide insights into its unique cultural heritage. This study investigates the intricate relationship between artisanal cultural identity and their physical living spaces. By analyzing the social and spatial aspects along with adaptive features of houses created and maintained by the artisans’ community in Bhujodi village, this research provides a comprehensive analysis of how they create & maintain their cultural heritage through the built environment. The study infers how houses reflect the identities of these artisans’ culture, work and lifestyle.Keywords: Artisans, Settlement forms, Vankars