Indian Columbus

In my earlier installments, I explored the architectural layout and sculptural richness of Cave No. 3 at Kanheri, including its entrance features, massive interior pillars, colossal Buddha images, donor couples, and numerous sculptural panels adorning the verandah walls. In this article, I continue my exploration of Cave No. 3 by stepping into the inner hall, where unfinished stonework, votive stupas, and one of the earliest depictions of the Buddha in western India await our attention. As previously discussed, Cave No. 3, also known as the Chaitya Cave, faces west and houses a spacious apsidal prayer hall. The hall comprises a central nave and two side aisles, supported by a total of 34 stone pillars . Several of these pillars remain unfinished, suggesting that work was left incomplete, possibly due to changes in patronage or shifting priorities. The twelve pillars near the hall’s entrance, six on each side, are stylistically refined, featuring a tiered base, octagonal shaft, cushio...

Central Park in New York pays tribute to a select group of literary greats through its beautifully crafted monuments, particularly along the Literary Walk in The Mall. Among these is the statue of Robert Burns , the national poet of Scotland, whose verses continue to resonate with readers around the world. The statue was installed in 1880 and was sculpted by Sir John Steell , the same artist responsible for the nearby statue of Walter Scott. Steell’s work brings out the romantic intensity and rustic charm associated with Burns, capturing the poet’s deep emotional connection to nature and the Scottish countryside. The Statue of Robert Bruns - Central Park, New York Robert Burns is depicted seated on a rustic boulder , with a quill in his right hand and a notebook or journal in his left. His head is slightly turned, and his eyes gaze forward in quiet contemplation, as though in search of poetic inspiration. His garments — a long coat and knee-length breeches — are sculpted with rich d...

Central Park in New York is dotted with monuments celebrating renowned figures from literature, politics, and the arts. One such statue, often overlooked but of great historical and literary significance, is that of Sir Walter Scott , the celebrated Scottish novelist and poet. This statue is located on the Literary Walk , a section of the Mall within Central Park. It stands among a distinguished company of literary greats, including Shakespeare and Robert Burns. Walter Scott Statue – Central Park, New York Sculpted by John Steell , a prominent Scottish sculptor, the statue was installed in 1872 , making it one of the earlier additions to the park’s sculptural heritage. The statue depicts Sir Walter Scott in a seated pose, with a calm, thoughtful expression. Draped in a cloak, he holds a quill in one hand and a book in the other, reflecting his deep connection with writing. The folds of his garment, draped classically over his shoulders and knees, are deeply incised, giving texture a...

In the heart of Singapore’s iconic Gardens by the Bay , away from the buzz of the Supertree Grove and the conservatories, lies a tranquil oasis that captivates with its calm waters, verdant surroundings, and thoughtful design,  Dragonfly Lake . Spanning across this serene waterbody is the elegantly arched Dragonfly Bridge , connecting different sections of the Gardens while offering some of the most picturesque views in the area. Dragonfly Lake A Lake That Blends Beauty and Sustainability Dragonfly Lake is not just a scenic element in the Gardens; it plays an essential ecological role in the park’s design. As one of the two major lakes in Gardens by the Bay (the other being Kingfisher Lake), it functions as part of the park’s sustainable water management system . Rainwater is collected, filtered through aquatic plants, and used for irrigation throughout the gardens. The lake is named after the dragonflies that frequent this wetland environment, attracted by the native flora and...

Along the scenic Marina Bay waterfront in Singapore, an extraordinary art installation invites visitors to pause, reflect, and engage with one of the most urgent conversations of our time -wildlife conservation. Titled “Love the Last March,” this monumental sculpture series is more than a visual delight; it is a global call to action. Love the Last March - Singapore A Powerful Procession in Bronze Unveiled in May 2023 to mark World Endangered Species Day , Love the Last March was created by renowned sculptors Gillie and Marc Schattner . This expansive bronze installation stretches across 192 meters , making it the longest sculpture in the world . It features 45 life-sized endangered animals marching in unison—symbolically “taking a stand” to remind humanity of what we are on the verge of losing. The procession includes a range of species from across continents— African elephants, Sumatran orangutans, Bengal tigers, snow leopards, cheetahs, pangolins , and many more. Each animal i...

The heritage-rich stretch of Spon Street in Coventry holds many architectural gems, but among them, The Old Windmill stands out as both Coventry’s oldest surviving pub and a functioning 15th-century building that has retained its historic charm. With a history stretching back to 1451 , this timber-framed public house at 22 Spon Street is more than just a place for ale—it is a living piece of Coventry’s medieval past. A Pub with Six Centuries of Legacy The earliest records date the Old Windmill back to the mid-15th century. Until the 1800s, the structure was divided into two separate premises. One half served as a shop selling assorted goods , while the other half operated as a public house. It wasn’t until the early 1980s that the structure was unified into a single space, expanding the pub to occupy the full ground floor. This transformation marked the evolution of the Old Windmill into the layout that survives today. The building housed its own on-site brewery until 1930 , a...

Spon Street in Coventry, renowned for its row of historic timber-framed buildings, is home to many architectural treasures dating back to the medieval and early modern periods. Among them is the Green Dragon , a remarkable structure that continues to capture attention with its Tudor-style façade. While it now stands proudly on Spon Street, its story began elsewhere—and that makes it even more fascinating. 🐉 From Much Park Street to Spon Street What many visitors may not realize is that the Green Dragon building was originally located at 122 Much Park Street , not on Spon Street. The rear block of the building dates back to around 1450 , when it was constructed as a hall house . It featured a hearth and two upper floors used as chambers—typical of domestic architecture in the late medieval period. The front block was added later, forming an extended residential structure linked by a passage that led to a courtyard. After suffering damage and neglect—particularly due to bombing duri...

Within the colonial-era premises of Ripon Building , the seat of the Greater Chennai Corporation , stands a lesser-known yet historically significant bust, that of P.M. Sivagnana Mudaliar , a long-serving Commissioner whose legacy quietly lives on in stone. While most visitors focus on the grand white façade of the Ripon Building or the civic activities it hosts, this modest bust tucked inside the campus pays tribute to one of the earliest Indian Commissioners of the Corporation of Madras , who held office during a transformative period in the city’s municipal history. Statue of P.M. Sivagnana Mudaliar, former Commissioner of Madras, proudly standing near Ripon Building, Chennai Who Was P.M. Sivagnana Mudaliar? P.M. Sivagnana Mudaliar served as the Commissioner of the Corporation of Madras from 1894 to 1919 , a remarkable tenure spanning 25 years. At a time when British officers dominated civic administration, his long-standing role as an Indian in a key municipal position was bot...

Chennai’s Parrys Corner, the bustling commercial hub near George Town, is home to several iconic buildings that narrate the city’s colonial and mercantile past. One such prominent structure is the HSBC Bank building , located at the intersection of China Bazaar Road (NSC Bose Road) and Rajaji Salai. Though it functions today as a modern banking office, the building itself belongs to a bygone era — a reminder of British economic dominance and architectural legacy in Madras. Façade of HSBC Bank at Parrys Corner, a colonial landmark of Chennai’s mercantile past (Pic credit - Shiva Arunachalam) A Legacy of Banking and Empire The HSBC building was originally constructed to house The Mercantile Bank of India , a British-established bank that began operations in the 19th century. Founded in 1853 in Bombay, the bank expanded across Asia, and its Madras branch played a significant role in facilitating trade between South India and British colonies in Southeast Asia and China. In 1959, The Ho...