A sculptor, artist, architect and planner, Roger Anger designed the Matrimandir, the soul of Auroville

Roger Anger passes away Staff Reporter The Hindu Thursday, Jan 17, 2008

PUDUCHERRY: Roger Anger, chief architect of the international township of Auroville and member of the Governing Board of the Auroville Foundation, passed away on January 15 in France. He was 84 and is survived by his wife, daughter and grandchildren. Mr. Anger had been ailing for some time.
As the person who gave form to the Mother’s vision, Mr. Anger conceptualised the master plan of Auroville. Giving up commercial architecture, he dissolved his partnership in France to take up the Auroville project as a full-time work. A sculptor, artist, architect and planner, he designed the Matrimandir, the soul of Auroville. He was here in October last and was scheduled to come again towards the end of this month.
The Auroville project, which began in 1964, was conceived by Sri Aurobindo’s French-born disciple, Mirra Alfassa — “The Mother.” She spoke of a place on earth that could not be claimed or owned by any nation, but where people from all over could live freely and in peace. It was largely designed by Mr. Anger, and inaugurated in 1968 when soils from around the world were symbolically put in an urn along with the Auroville Charter.
At its spiritual and physical heart is the futuristic spherical structure, Matrimandir, a place dedicated to the universal mother. The structure, which has been under construction for over three decades, is a flattened dome spanning 36 metres in diameter, surrounded by gardens, an amphitheatre covered with red Agra stone and meditation rooms.
Radiating from the Mandir and its gardens, the city is architecturally conceived along the lines of a galaxy, evolving organically within certain parameters. The completed Mandir is scheduled to be unveiled on February 28, marking the 40th anniversary of Auroville itself. The original design envisaged accommodation for 50,000 residents but now there are only about 1,500.Self-sufficient living
Auroville is considered much more than a place for devotional meditation, as an experiment in self-sufficient living. Its concept and innovative community living make this a place of interest for any visitor.
In a message in January 2007, Mr. Anger said:
“The teams working on the Matrimandir have renewed themselves over the years. Succeeding one another, they have devoted their time and courage to the achievement of this task in spite of pressure and resistance. Each in his or her own way and to their own capacity knew how to offer their indispensable contribution to the creation of this unique building: the Matrimandir, the tool of The Mother to accelerate the transformation and the advent of a new consciousness.
“Undoubtedly it was impossible to assume the responsibility for a work of such an importance without the play of ‘forces’ wanting to delay its completion — yet even they collaborated fully in its fulfilment. Today, we must forget the difficulties of the past and fully enjoy seeing the miracle of its realisation being finally accomplished.”Memorial meeting
At a memorial meeting, held under the banyan tree near the Matrimandir on Wednesday morning, over 200 Aurovillians took part.
In his message, Auroville Foundation Secretary M. Ramaswamy said: “Roger Anger was a link between the Mother and Auroville. He took very keen interest in drafting Auroville’s Master Plan and saw the completion of the Matrimandir in his lifetime. His demise is a great loss for Aurovillians and the community of architects.”
A long-time associate and chessmate of Mr. Anger, Pashi Kapur recalled that the Mother had told him that he would be able to design and construct a very different kind of city. “A restlessly creative person, he would even create pieces of art from waste. There are over 500 pieces of work that he has created and we plan to exhibit them in May. Roger was able to galvanise many architects to work in Auroville since he gave them the freedom to express themselves.”