GOA’S SON, WORLD’S ARCHITECT

PANJIM: Members of the Kala Academy and Goa’s architect community paid tribute to Charles Correa who passed away early Wednesday morning at the age of 86 with speakers referring to the architect as not only being inspirational in his field of work but also in keeping with social issues. 

Speaking at the condolence meeting, Kala Academy chairman Vishnu Wagh said, “Charles Correa was not just an architect, but a profound thinker and philosopher who succeeded in establishing a bond with the traditional and the contemporary. To him it wasn’t about stones, material and rubble but it was beyond that and he believed that architecture had its own legacy.”

He said the Kala Academy was a good example of the “majestic vaastu that will remain a permanent testimony to his genius”.

Architect Dean D’Cruz who had worked with Correa on Goa’s Regional Plan said though he was a planner, he looked at the bigger picture. 

“He was not only a thinker but was able to analyse and think outside the box. I had the opportunity of working with him on the Regional Plan for around four years. He was an architect, no doubt but he was also a diplomat. He was able to look beyond the planning of a city or a state and look to the how the society development could also be incorporated into it,” said D’Cruz. 

Architecture College professor Ashish Rege spoke of how Correa had greatly influenced the working of the college in the last 10 years and remembered his works in Goa. The Kala Academy, Cidade de Goa, Dona Sylvia and his own Verem home were example of his work in the State. 

Meanwhile the Aam Aadmi Party Goa expressed sadness at the death of Correa who was awarded not only nationally but internationally. “On the sad occasion of his death, AAP Goa reiterates its commitment to fulfilling Correa’s vision for Goa’s development and ensure that the Regional Plan achieves fruition as originally envisioned, and remains a lasting legacy of Correa,” said the party in a release.