Minnette de Silva : with Shiromi Pinto and Selva Sandrapragas

This episode hosted by Dee Gibson, focuses on the dynamic and under-appreciated life of Minette De Silva, a pioneering Sri Lankan architect. Guests Selva and Shiromi discuss their personal connections to De Silva and the extensive research that led to Shiromi's novel, 'Plastic Emotions,' which explores De Silva's complex life and contributions.

The conversation covers De Silva's unique approach to architecture, her bold personality, and why she has been largely forgotten despite her groundbreaking work. They highlight the gender and political dynamics that contributed to her erasure from history. The guests emphasise De Silva's innovative participatory design methods, her progressive ideas ahead of her time, and call for the preservation of her remaining works and recognition of her legacy.

Summary

00:00 Welcome to Sri Lanka: Modern Perspectives
02:23 Introducing Minette de Silva
03:37 Discovering Minette's Legacy
07:23 Writing 'Plastic Emotions'
10:51 The Significance of Minette's Story
22:04 Challenges and Controversies
32:40 The Legacy of Jeffrey Bawa and Minette de Silva
33:31 Minette's Erasure and Rediscovery
34:09 Gendered Perspectives on Minette's Work
34:41 Minette's Personal and Professional Struggles
39:27 Minette's Approach to Architecture
52:12 Reclaiming Minette's Narrative
56:25 Preserving Minette's Legacy

Shiromi Pinto is a writer, editor, strategist and author and wrote the book Plastic Emotions, a novel based on Minnette de Silva. Born in London and raised in Montreal, Shiromi has written short fiction for BBC Radio 4, the Victoria & Albert Museum and opendemocracy.net. Her first novel, Trussed, was reviewed as ‘audacious’ (Bernardine Evaristo in The Independent), ‘brilliant’ (Diva) and ‘so cool that it hurts’ (The Times). After over a decade working for Amnesty International, she is now a communications consultant at writingeditingwords.com.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/jul/20/plastic-emotions-by-shiromi-pinto-review

Selva Sandrapragas RIBA ARB is an architect practicing in the UK. As an undergraduate he worked with Minnette de Silva on the “12 Villages Exhibition”  shown at the Commonwealth Institute 1987/88 After finishing his post graduate studies at the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London he completed his professional practice qualifications ( RIBA Part 3 )  at the Architectural Association school architecture. He was awarded the INTACH ( Indian National Trust for Art & Cultural Heritage ) & ICOMOS Scholarship in 1992 to study the wooden Taravad architecture of Kerala. In 1997 he was  awarded the ADB/Japan Scholarship to study urban design at Hong Kong University. 

Dee Gibson is the award winning designer and founder of boutique hotel Kalukanda House in Sri Lanka, www.kalukandahouse.com ~ Conde Nast Best Places to Visit in Asia 2024 & HIP Hotels Best Hotels 2025. You can follow on
instagram @deegibson2017 or @kalukandahouse

This podcast lifts the veil on what, and more importantly WHO this island is with conversations about all the things you never read about in the travel pages. Dee showcases a fascinating modern society reclaiming their identity and taking ownership of their narratives on the global stage. No subject is taboo so expect guests talking about everything from activism through art and yoga, why sari was modified by British colonisers, a performance on love and lust to episodes on forgotten heroines being narrated back into our history books and much more.