What is the first thing most of us do when we visit a heritage site? Look around for its map, right? Now, imagine a 3D map that not only pinpoints the locations of various structures at the site, but also gives the site?s in-depth background and information, helping you visualise its history.
That?s the idea Satvinder Singh Channey, graphic designer and founder of Design Route, a New Delhi-based branding and information design firm, is working towards. Channey, with a team of designers, decided to give heritage sites in Delhi a detailed reconstruction via 3D maps. Using text and illustrations (some even have the jaali-work-like design), the 3D maps include the smallest of details, such as a guide to various dynasties and kings at the bottom of the map. ?Do you know the diwan-e-aam (the hall of public audience) in Red Fort was perpendicularly straight to a masjid built somewhere in Chandni Chowk, so that the king could take all his decisions looking towards god?? asks Channey, adding, ?There are so many interesting things hidden in heritage sites near us, but lack of proper information is just making them hollow monuments.?
?A map giving basic information about a site is important to visualise what the original monument might have looked like when it was built. Unless we get to see the original architecture or the beauty of a building, we will never be able to understand the history or theory behind it,? he says.
The four-fold maps are handy, user-friendly and don?t follow a strict, linear sequence of information. For instance, the map of Delhi?s Jantar Mantar?a set of giant astronomical instruments erected in the 17th century?has a mini pop-up model, which showcases some of the measurements used in the actual design. Similarly, the Hauz Khas madrasa complex has been made keeping in view the 13th-century model of the Delhi Sultanate reign. Channey, however, says his maps should not be taken as the final word on the history of a monument.
The idea of constructing 3D maps of heritage sites first struck Channey on a visit to Qutub Minar a few years back. He was told so many things about the monument at one go that there was an information overload. ?A lot of the story was lost on me as there were so many things being told simultaneously. It all got mixed up,? he says. What troubled him the most was that if he, a graphic designer, found it hard to visualise the history, what would other tourists make of it. Many times, tourists face difficulties navigating heritage sites because of a lack of good maps and accurate information. This also gives rise to the phenomenon of local guides and touts who come up with stories, which more often than not, have no co-relation to the actual history of the monument.
?We wanted to fill the gap between the superficial theories written in pamphlets about monuments and the thesis found in books at national museums. Our maps serve that purpose. They give intelligent, in-depth information, which is neither too long nor boring,? says Channey. ?The one good thing about our maps is that people don?t get stressed after seeing them. They say, ?We will only have to read a little bit?. That?s value for money.?
For Channey, the toughest challenge was getting access to those parts of heritage sites that have either been blocked or aren?t accessible to visitors. ?We read, for instance, that four horses used to run together across the walls of Red Fort, but we cannot access that place,? laments Channey. They are now in talks with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which has allowed them access to some of the places.
Channey and his team conducted thorough background research and then approached subject experts. The core team involved just three people, with the 3D rendering done by professionals. ?For Jantar Mantar, we took the help of Dr Ratnashree of Nehru Planetarium and for the Hauz Khas madrasa, we took the guidance of former ASI superintendent Dr Muhammed,? says Channey. Each map took almost a year to get ready.
Talking about their background research process, Saumyaa Naidu, a content designer and design researcher with Design Route who worked on the Jantar Mantar project, says, ?Our research depends completely on the kind of monument it is. For Jantar Mantar, we visited the site and asked people if they knew that the actual
purpose of the monument was astronomical calculations.? Most people didn?t.
The team, which has completed work on maps of the Qutub Complex and Jantar Mantar, will now start working on the stepwells (baolis) of Delhi, Ferozeshah Complex and Red Fort. They have also finalised the map for the Hauz Khas madrasa complex.
The ASI allowed them to sell their maps for a period of two years at the Qutub Complex.
Their first map?that of Qutub Complex?was sold for Rs100.
With the contract now having expired, the design firm is looking for a renewal. Their maps are now also available at bookstores like People Tree, Yodakin, etc, and they have applied for an ISBN number, which is required to sell products online.