Roger Anger is a name that is synonymous with the creation of Auroville. Without his vision, dedication, and perseverance, Auroville may not have been possible. Anger was an architect who worked tirelessly to bring Sri Aurobindo’s vision to life, and his contributions to Auroville are still felt today.
Born in 1923 in France, Anger studied architecture at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. After graduation, he worked for several years in Paris, focusing primarily on designing and building apartment complexes. In 1955, he was invited by Le Corbusier to join his firm in Chandigarh, India. This marked a turning point in Anger’s life and career.
In Chandigarh, Anger worked on several notable projects, including the Capitol Complex and the High Court. However, it was his work on the government housing project that brought him to the attention of Mirra Alfassa, also known as The Mother, the spiritual collaborator of Sri Aurobindo.
The Mother had a vision for a new kind of community, one that would bring together people from all over the world to live and work together in harmony. She believed that this community would be a model for the future of humanity, and she asked Anger to help bring her vision to life.
Anger was initially hesitant to take on the project. He had a successful career in India and was not sure he wanted to take on such a large and complex undertaking. However, after several meetings with The Mother, he was convinced that this was a project he wanted to be a part of.
Anger began work on the project in 1965. He spent years working with The Mother and her team to design the layout and architecture of the new community. His designs were inspired by Sri Aurobindo’s philosophy and the natural beauty of the surrounding area.
One of the biggest challenges Anger faced was creating a sustainable community. He wanted the buildings to be environmentally friendly and designed to work with the local climate. He also wanted the community to be self-sufficient, with its own water and power supply.
The final result of Anger’s work was a community that was not only beautiful but also functional. The buildings were designed to blend in with the natural environment, and they used natural materials such as stone and bamboo. The community was designed to be pedestrian-friendly, with no cars allowed in the central area.
Anger’s work on Auroville was not without its challenges. There were many setbacks and obstacles, both financial and logistical. However, he remained committed to the project and continued to work on it until his death in 2008.
Today, Auroville is a thriving community that is home to people from all over the world. It is a testament to Anger’s vision and dedication that the community is still thriving today, more than 50 years after its inception.
In conclusion, Roger Anger was an architect who played a pivotal role in the creation of Auroville. His work on the community was guided by Sri Aurobindo’s philosophy and The Mother’s vision. Through his dedication and hard work, he was able to create a sustainable and beautiful community that is still thriving today.
