The Journey of ‘Doshi We Know Fellowship’ through the lenses of Past Fellows’ Work

Doshi We Know trust has announced its annual fellowship program for the year 2023-2024 – ‘Breaking the Barriers’. The Doshi Fellowship supports scholars primarily in the field of architecture and the built environment. Awardees are provided a sum of Rs. 3,00,000/- as support for pursuing their interest. Detailed information about the Doshi We Know Fellowship can be found in our previous article.

The Doshi We Know (DWK) fellowship was first announced in the year 2018 and three successful cycles have been completed so far. Under the mentorship and correspondence with the DWK fellowship, previous fellows went through many learning experiences that not only enhanced their skills, but were also able to actively engage with various aspects of the built environment and communities, paving grounds for their future trajectories. In this article, we talk about the inspiring journey of past three fellows: Kaushik Kumar (2018-2019), Purvi Tank (2019-2020), and Chandra Prakash Kumare (2020-2021). 

Doshi We Know – The Fellowship (2023-2024):

The Doshi Fellowship 2023-2024 supports young people, those connected with the issues of environment or those involved in any discipline or skill(s), who have demonstrated an exceptional ability to evolve creative and innovative ideas and approaches relating to the built environment and human habitations that enhance the welfare of communities and show concern for the environment. It is meant for ages between 25-45 years of age who wish to study a contemporary situation, involve themselves in ways of responding to its challenges, or carry out innovative experiments to research some aspect of the situation. The deadline for application for this year’s cycle is March 01, 2023.

To know more about the fellowship and application process, visit the DWK Fellowship website>> https://doshiweknow.org

Doshi We Know Fellowship (2018-2019) – Water Structures of Melukote:

Mr. Kaushik Kumar (M.Arch. in Conservation, History, Theory and Criticism) proposed to work on the Water Structures of Melukote, Karnataka, India, dealing with questions of very wide applicability and importance towards heritage and water conservation. In 2020, Kaushik Kumar founded  Akarma Foundation in an attempt towards developing “mindfulness” of one’s actions, through research, design, and advocacy. 

The foundation has been relentlessly working since its inception. “Namma OORU, Namma Kula” was one of their first travelling exhibitions meant to create a sense of association and cultivate social responsibility among the local people of Melukote, jointly with Janapada Seva Trust and Cuckoo Forest School.

The Conservation of Stepwell at Bapughat has been one of the recent projects undertaken by Aakarma Foundation with a conservation process carried for 282 days with 40 craftsmen involving a team of architects and engineers.

Kaushik’s journey towards water conservation has been institutionalised very well over the period of years. His continued work and efforts in the field are well appreciated and acknowledged. 

Doshi We Know Fellowship (2019-2020) – The Unheard Citizen of Urban:

Ms. Purvi Tank (B.Arch.) had proposed to unlock micro-neglected spaces in the city of Ahmedabad as potential sites to be open to all communities and these be designed with children, “The unheard citizen”, as a key user group. Her study was to address specific challenges of participation, and the creation of opportunities for playful environments for children in urban areas.

Her interesting approach to addressing the children from micro-neglected spaces with the involvement of the clay and painting activities gave them different learning exposure and encouraged a sense of participation in their livelihood. Participated children’s creativity opened up through the initiation of such small things into the urban spaces which would emphasize the awareness of ‘ learning by doing’ ideology. 

She has, since then, undertaken several workshops with children to understand their perception of urban space and depict their needs. Her urban intervention has been largely awaited by authority and management.

Doshi We Know Fellowship (2020-2021) –  Urban Stories of Labourers:

Artist Chandra Prakash Kumare proposed to study women workers in the construction industry, as well as in rural areas, through photography and paintings with an intention to bring about greater empathy and understanding of their lives through the medium of the visual arts. His project was intended to introduce important social figures, sensitive and social principles, who are important to be of various elements that are moving towards progress in the built environment.

Kumare’s proposal was in line with concern about people and their lives beyond spatial connotations in the form of visual art, which depicts the daily lifestyle of women workers who go to earn their remuneration by doing the efforts in the construction industry. He has continued his study through photographs, paintings and book-making media. 

Summary:

Each year, Doshi We Know Fellowship receives a humbling response in the form of a number of applications from the young and talented individuals; people who have a vision and passion with which to engage in various issues related with human habitats and community participation. After a rigorous process of selection, the fellows go through hard work to fulfill the needs of their proposal, under the mentorship of DWK Fellowship.

You are invited to submit your proposal and register for the most innovative Fellowship program “Doshi we know” 2023-24. Register yourself with your creative intent for the Fellowship before March 01, 2023.

To know more about the fellowship and application process, visit the DWK Fellowship website>> https://doshiweknow.org

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