Manuel: Architecture is considered a cultural manifestation. In this sense, we perceive a fragmentation and loss of traditional context, an identity crisis, and a lack of direction. What role should architects and architectural education play?

Balkrishna: Culture and education are intertwined. One cannot provide education without imparting culture. So, when we talk about this, we're actually discussing the history of the place, the people's way of life. The way we behave in India is very different from other places. It might be similar to Mexico in terms of beliefs, mysticism, magic; its culture knows about color, life, and the joy it brings, and our culture doesn't talk about time as pressure. So, both cultures believe in this idea of ambiguity, the notion of surprise, although Indian culture doesn't talk about monetary value, and I think this is very important. This is what we're trying to do, and it's what education should do. Education should follow your moods, your psyche, your innocence.

Manuel: What is your perspective on Western influences on urbanism in India? How do you think new projects are dealing with development and tradition?

Balkrishna: From an agrarian tribal society, our society has shifted to a metropolitan one. We now rely more on information, technology, and the global context. We might be in a remote place, but we're simultaneously connected to the entire world. Our perspective has changed; now we're not talking about human life, about people and what they would like. We're talking about how I can make more money, how I can live, how I can be global. There's an intense conflict between the local and the global, between me and them. We've become more anonymous, less individual. Smaller things are changing in larger metro systems, large satellite cities, significant issues, high densities, towering heights. When you're with a larger number of people all the time, you're constantly busy, constantly preoccupied with global aspirations. So, I propose that one should have a combination of both, they should have the attitude found in villages and be global.

Manuel: Given these changes, what is your opinion on how people are using public spaces?

Balkrishna: I believe the state of public spaces in India is critical. When we finish our day, we go home, watch television, or browse the internet, and our lives are slowly becoming isolated, separating us from our senses—whether emotional, psychological, physical, cultural, or social. Public spaces can truly become instruments of activity so that when you have a few free moments, you go there and observe your surroundings. When you see people singing, you might join in, and if there's a festival happening, you might participate. I think the whole issue is how we connect with the environment we live in. It should belong to us, and we should belong to that space.

Manuel: Of the multiple roles you've taken on during your career, which do you think describes you best: storyteller, artist, architect and planner, or teacher?

Balkrishna: I don't know, I'm a human being. I try to become a human being. I try to become a better father, friend. I'm surrounded by nature all the time; in every building I make, a significant part is nature. So, I wonder, can I become like nature? There's something about trees... when the fruit is ripe, the tree lets it go, it doesn't fall; when there's a lot of fruit, the tree bends down... so the more you do, the more humble you become. When it has flowers, it's a haven for birds and other animals. Even when it dies, it says, "You can use my wood for burning." So, there's actually a sense of humility and understanding of life, which is what my religion talks about. The whole question is whether one can flow like a river and turn as needed, whether it's a grand waterfall or a calm bank. I've written a statement saying that one should truly have a journey like water, starting as a small stream and gradually merging with other streams to become a larger river. It traverses many landscapes, many journeys, many cultures, always observing but never surrendering.