
A reader reflects on the fascination with abandoned buildings, imagining their past vibrancy and the lives of people who once inhabited them. Visiting a coastal region in India, she observed many deserted…
A reader reflects on the fascination with abandoned buildings, imagining their past vibrancy and the lives of people who once inhabited them. Visiting a coastal region in India, she observed many deserted yet colourful structures and heard local tales of why residents moved away. The buildings, now waiting for their end, evoke thoughts on abandonment, loss, and resilience.
The author draws parallels between crumbling buildings and human lives, noting that these structures still shelter those in need without discrimination. She wishes they could narrate their stories, highlighting a unique contrast to human behaviour.
The romanticising of abandoned buildings as poetic ruins often ignores the economic and social reasons behind their decay, failed livelihoods, migration, or neglect. It is easy to project emotions onto lifeless walls while the displaced individuals behind them remain voiceless. A concrete question: how many of these coastal buildings can be traced to specific policy failures or forced relocations, rather than vague 'circumstances'?
Source: thehindu.com
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