About the Director

Sundaram Tagore is an art historian, gallerist, and filmmaker whose work bridges art, architecture, and cultural history. With a deep interest in global modernism and cross-cultural exchange, Tagore brings scholarly insight and personal reflection to his documentary projects. His filmmaking often examines the intersection of artistic vision and political identity, highlighting how creative expression shapes national and cultural narratives. In Louis Kahn’s Tiger City, Tagore embarks on an international journey tracing the legacy of American architect Louis Kahn, combining historical research with contemporary reflection. His direction blends academic rigor with visual storytelling, creating a documentary that is both informative and deeply personal.

Film Synopsis

Louis Kahn’s Tiger City follows Sundaram Tagore as he retraces the path of legendary American architect Louis Kahn to understand how Kahn designed and constructed the monumental National Parliament complex in Bangladesh during a period of political upheaval. Traveling across fourteen countries, the documentary explores Bangladesh’s struggle for democracy and how Kahn’s architectural vision merged Eastern and Western design philosophies. The film highlights the power of architecture not only as physical structure, but as a symbol of national identity, aspiration, and resilience.

Director’s Statement

Sundaram Tagore describes Louis Kahn’s Tiger City as a personal odyssey to understand how an American architect created a monumental masterpiece thousands of miles from home, transforming the “tabula rasa of the rice paddies” into a symbol of democratic birth and national resilience. Through the film, Tagore explores Kahn not only as an architect but as a true artist navigating a hyper-commercial world a creator willing to sacrifice financially and personally for his vision. He sought to capture the emotional gravity and poetic beauty of Kahn’s work, emphasizing its architectural mass, silence, and interplay of light over the sleek modernism of steel and glass.

Awards & Recognition

International Festival Selections: Featured at prestigious events including the Architecture Film Festival Rotterdam (2019).

Special Appearances: The film stars three-time Academy Award nominee Debra Winger, Pritzker Prize-winning architect Balkrishna Doshi, and Kahn’s son, filmmaker Nathaniel Kahn.

Screening Venues: Recognized with screenings at world-class institutions such as the Kimbell Art Museum, the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) in Mumbai, and the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco.

Cinematic Achievement: Critics have praised the film for its "stunning visuals" and its ability to provide the first comprehensive screen account of the making of Kahn's magnum opus.