Historians, admirers fondly remember PL Varma, who shaped City Beautiful
In a heartfelt tribute to one of the foundational figures of the City Beautiful, the MN Sharma Architectural Society hosted a commemorative evening in the honour of PL Varma, the Chief Engineer of the Punjab New Capital Project. Held at the Le Corbusier Centre in Sector 19, the event brought together architects, historians, students and admirers of the city’s architectural legacy.
The evening began with a presentation titled “PL Varma: The Maker of Chandigarh – From Vision to Reality” by researcher and curator Deepika Gandhi. She highlighted Varma’s crucial role in transforming Le Corbusier’s radical vision into a tangible reality, bridging creativity with engineering precision to shape one of India’s most iconic cities.
Following the talk, a panel discussion on “The Man, The Work, The Legacy” featured Rajnish Wattas, former Principal of Chandigarh College of Architecture, Kapil Setia, former Chief Architect of Chandigarh, and senior advocate ML Sarin.
Each speaker shed light on Varma’s legacy—not merely as an engineer but as a linchpin of one of the most ambitious urban planning projects of the 20th century. “There is a lot of symbolism today,” said Wattas, while adding, “Chandigarh was literally created in this very building.
PL Varma worked just across the wall from here.”
Wattas recalled first meeting Varma during a seminar at Panjab University in the early 1980s. “I made a flippant remark and Varma sahab rightly corrected me—he was a man of gravitas,” he said. Over time, a warm relationship blossomed. “Initially I was just a young academic, but eventually he opened his doors and heart to me. My wife and I were welcomed into their home. He was generous, dignified, and wise,” said the heritage expert.
Wattas noted that Varma’s contributions went beyond concrete and planning. “When I asked him to write for Le Corbusier’s centenary, he refused payment. His article ‘The Great New World of Corbusier’ viewed Chandigarh not just as urban planning, but as a civilisational and even spiritual mission,” said Wattas.
That mission, however, required tireless execution. Setia reflected on Varma’s leadership during the project’s most challenging phases. “He wasn’t just an engineer, he was the backbone of the project,” said Setia. “Today, we have teams and consultants. Back then, Varma was everything — project manager, strategist, and executor,” he said.
Despite Le Corbusier’s temperamental nature, his relationship with Varma stood out. “Others asked him, ‘Why are you so calm with Varma?’ The answer was simple—he knew his vision could only be realised through Varma,” Setia added.
Varma’s impact also touched ordinary citizens. Sarin offered a personal perspective. “I came to Chandigarh in 1955. My father was a lawyer, and the High Court was the first building completed. I later worked there myself.”
Only in the 1990s did Sarin fully appreciate Varma’s contribution. “He and his team weren’t just building a city—they were creating a home for thousands like mine,” he said. But Sarin also warned of threats to the city’s legacy. “People think heritage means something ancient. But heritage is character, uniqueness. Chandigarh’s planning is our heritage.”
He emphasised that the fight to preserve Chandigarh is ongoing. “We’ve fought legal battles to stop constructions and flyovers that would ruin the original plan. Heritage isn’t just buildings—it’s the city’s ethos, the intangible spirit behind its design.”
Varma’s grandson Udayan Sahgal also spoke at the event. “I was too young to understand what was unfolding then, but I now realise how foundational my grandfather’s role was,” he said. “He never sought recognition. My grandfather was thoughtful, intellectual, warm, and loving. Even now books float around his house, reflecting the depth of his mind,” he said
As attendees slowly made their way out, there was a shared sense of gratitude—not just for a man, but for a vision. Chandigarh remains a living testament to what integrity, collaboration, and thoughtful planning can achieve.
Chandigarh
