Abstract:
In semiotics, nature exists and gets
transformed in four stages: stage zero being
wilderness, one, interpreting, identifying,
describing, nature two, material
interpretation, translation, and production of
nature, and three, virtual nature (as
represented in the classical and formal arts
for instance). A vernacular tradition may be
understood as situated in stage one, wherein
people convert the physical proximity to
nature into a space replete with meaning and
association. In a recent interdisciplinary
workshop at CEPT University, India we
explored the semiotically constructed notions
of space and geography in villages on either
side of the Sabarmati River in Gujarat.
The presence of the river has particular
topographical and spatial impacts on the
region, and a number myths and stories have
been developed around its presence. What is
interesting is that the river has been dammed,
has now nearly dried and patterns of life and
livelihood along its banks have significantly
changed. The myths however remain, and
have become ingrained in the settlement and
landscape through built symbols such as
temples, shrines and other religious
iconography. These buildings take on the
responsibility of being repositories of a
vernacular world view constructed around
associations with the river; they are the
memory of a water that is no longer there.
This paper traces the myths of the place, their
enshrinement through local institutions and
buildings, and their persistence even when
the essence of the myths i.e. the river is no
longer present.
(This paper is based on and draws material
from an interactive studies workshop titled
'Vocabulary of water' conducted by the
authors at CEPT University, Ahmedabad, India
in November 2009
