Discussion on Draupadi’s Residence Design Competition
Discourse has declared an International Design Competition entitled as ‘Draupadi’s Residece’.
Draupadi is one of the most important characters of Mahabharata. She was the wife of five pandavas in the story.
Text from Wikipedia:
“While in exile, Kunti, mother of the Pandavas often advised her sons that they share everything they have (or obtain) equally amongst themselves. During that time, Arjuna attended Draupadi’s swayamvara and won her hand in marriage. When he returned, he triumphantly declared “Look mother, what I have brought!”. Kunti, unmindful of what Arjuna was referring to, unassumingly asked her son to share whatever it is with his brothers. Thus, in order to obey their mother’s order all five accepted Draupadi as their wife. This is fraternal polyandry.
According to another source, when Sage Vyasa visits the family, he explains to Draupadi that her unique position as the wife of five brothers results from a certain incident in her previous birth. She had in that lifetime prayed to Lord Shiva to grant her a husband with five desired qualities. Lord Shiva, pleased with her devotion, tells her that it is very difficult to get a husband with all five qualities that she desired. But she sticks to her ground and asks for the same. Then Lord Shiva grants her wish saying that she would get the same in her next birth. Hence she gets married to five brothers each who represents a given quality. Nevertheless Draupadi always favoured Arjun above the rest of his brothers, she loved him with all her heart. And Draupadi too was Arjun’s favourite out of his four wives
None of the Draupadi’s children survived by the end of the epic. Parikshit, grandson of Subhadra and Arjuna, was the sole Kuru dynast who survived at the end of Mahabharata.”
Follow these links to know more about the stories of Draupadi:
>Draupadi: in Wikipedia
>Draupadi: Icon of True Indian Woman
>Draupadi: Epitome of Feminism
More links and information about the competition will be published very shortly.
Today a review will be held in the Discourse on the competition by Architect Nurur Rahman Khan. And he will present his design of Draupadi’s Residence in today’s lecture. Please be present in todays Discourse to know more about the competition details. Discourse98.com will publish the review of todays discussions.
When: at 17:30, on 17th May, 2007
Where: Open Studio, Department of Architecture,
The University of Asia Pacific.
