With the recent recognition of Chandigarh's Capitol Complex as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the spotlight on its creator, Le Corbusier, considered the 20th century's greatest architect-planner, attains a more illustrious glow. Against this backdrop, Le Corbusier Rediscovered: Chandigarh and beyond weaves together an anthology of inspired essays by eminent, global experts on Corbusier's life, ideas and work, both in Chandigarh and at other places.

The diverse yet interlinked themes forming a composite compendium, rediscover the timelessness of Le Corbusier's architecture and revisit his impact in India and the world over. Current issues like conservation of Chandigarh's architectural heritage, future strategies for its growth and the Smart City model for Indian urbanisation are also addressed. The book is imbued with a patina of historicity imparted by the inclusion of some rare archival images and texts.

With focussed essays by international experts like B.V. Doshi, William J.R. Curtis, Raj Rewal Rahul Mehrotra, Jacques Sbriglio, Michel Richard, Alfredo Brillembourg, S.D. Sharma, Jagan Shah, Rajnish Wattas and Sumit Kaur on thematically linked topics this richly illustrated book (with nearly 250 images) constitutes a seminal new publication on this subject. It rediscovers Le Corbusier and his crowning glory Chandigarh, viewed afresh in a new light.

Rajnish Wattas, former principal of the Chandigarh College of Architecture, i currently visiting faculty at various institutions. internationally. Widely travelled, he has lectured at numerous Institutions prestigious including Harvard University and the Illinois Institute of Technology. Chicago. A noted architectural critic and modern heritage expert, he has researched intensively on Chandigarh's architecture and landscaping, He has published a huge compendium of professional writings in reputed journals as well as hundreds of essays, travelogues and features in leading magazines and newspapers. He is co-author of two books, Trees of Chandigarh and Sukhna-Sublime Lake of Chandigarh and is actively engaged in advising Chandigarh Administration on various urban planning issues.

Deepika Gandhi, a faculty member of the Chandigarh College of Architecture since 2002, is presently the Director, Le Corbusier Centre & Chandigarh Architecture Museum. She worked on the preparation of the Dossier for the World Heritage' nomination of the Capitol Complex, Chandigarh, and is actively engaged in promoting its heritage. She supervised the restoration of the erstwhile house of Pierre Jeanneret, to establish a Jeanneret Museum there, and also undertook restoration of the Le Corbusier Centre for further expansion. She has co-authored the book Sukhna-Sublime Lake of Chandigarh besides authoring and designing booklets to sensitise City students about its heritage. She has published numerous papers in national and international conferences.

Well-known historical cities suggest that they were conceived in the image and visions of their creators. Very often, they were saints or personalities who believed in long-lasting cultural values and the well-being of their present and future generations. Moving within those precincts, one could discover several examples, that indicate the important mandates essential for leading a harmonious life to develop societies.

Very close to such an image is the city of Jaipur, conceived and established by Maharaja Jai Singh a poet, an astronomer and a man constantly and simultaneously in touch with the galaxies. His observatories in Jaipur and his planning of Jaipur is a reminder of the virtues of discovering learning. earning, coexisting and celebrating life.

Similarly, there are our towns in South India, which radiate similar thoughts that echo a unique way of life with multiple dimensions of leading a healthy, wealthy and wise life. Such cities have been our cities of pilgrimages throbbing with life.

Soon after the partition of the country, the then Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru desired that Chandigarh, a new capital city of Punjab becomes a model of the 20th century inspiring the creation and evolution of our cities. In choosing Mons. Le Corbusier and his team consisting of Mons. Pierre Jeanneret, Mr Maxwell Fry and Ms Jane Drew, Nehru must have imagined that the insights they would provide to our newly Independent India would act as guidelines for future urban development. Hence for us, Chandigarh is an important model.

Historically the choice of asking Le Corbusier to lead the team meant, sowing a seed through its pioneering vision and thoughtful planning in formation of the master plan with its interconnected clusters suitable to the Indian lifestyle. That would eventually radiate the thought and concepts in creating our ideal future expansion in new rural and urban areas.

Le Corbusier opted to design the overall conceptual master plan of Chandigarh, the Capitol Complex consisting of the four important buildings in Chandigarh including the High Court, the Assembly, the Secretariat, the Governor's Palace (unbuilt) and the various monuments like the Open Hand and others to demonstrate his approaches to both planning and architecture. Perhaps, this act was very similar to our great temple builders who conceived and demonstrated the visions, thoughts and their understanding of the Indian philosophy of life and living.

I recollect reading in the newspapers, how Maxwell Fry described the importance of the foothills of the Himalayas, and how the concept of the master plan, and its values of planning and the sectors were visualised.

For Fry and Corbusier, Chandigarh was a thriving and living city. The location of the Capitol Complex and its relationship to the rest of the city was akin to that of the head with the body and the limbs. All the sectors were interconnected so as to act as if it is a human body, where the Leisure Valley would act as lungs and the streets and open spaces as veins. The city centre would thus be its heart and the Open Hand in the Capitol Complex, the spirit, which will constantly make us aware of our belief and lifestyle.

With the recent listing of Chandigarh's Capitol Complex as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is opportune to both celebrate and reflect.

Historically, cities have been crucibles of civilizations. Chandigarh, a new city born in an ancient land is yet an infant in such a timeline. However, in just over sixty-five years after its inception it has carved out a unique identity of its own. It is looked up to as a symbol of modernity, energy, talent and an ideal urban model for the entire world to emulate.

Realising this significance, numerous efforts have been undertaken by the Chandigarh Administration to conserve its architectural heritage. All post-UNESCO status measures mandated in the "Management Plan' of the Capitol Complex are being carried out in full earnest. To meet the challenges of the future in ensuring sustainable growth of the city, the Administration notified the "Chandigarh Master Plan-2031 for its road ahead. Similarly, formation of the Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee and its active role ensures that all future developments are consonant with the city's unique character.

Besides the on-going expansion and renovations of the city's existing museums, recently a dedicated museum showcasing the life and contribution of Pierre Jeanneret, a close associate of Le Corbusier for the Chandigarh project, has been set up.

It's a matter of pride that with the kind support of eminent contributors from world over, and with the painstaking work put in by Professor Rajnish Wattas and Ms Deepika Gandhi editors of Le Corbusier Rediscovered: Chandigarh and beyond, this valuable publication has been brought out. I also commend the Administration's Department of Tourism in supporting this initiative.

With this book, the very idea of Chandigarh a 'city born in idealism' will remain alive for posterity. Its pages as they are flipped, will pass on the message of the city's ethos and its creator Le Corbusier's genius to every corner of the country and the world.