Indian Columbus

Amid the bustling concourse of Dubai International Airport, one structure effortlessly commands attention; a dazzling golden palm tree rising from the heart of the airport’s duty-free retail zone. More than a sculptural centerpiece, this iconic installation captures the essence of Dubai: opulent, futuristic, and rooted in tradition. Located in Terminal 1 , the Golden Palm Tree is surrounded by luxury retail counters and is part of the larger Dubai Duty-Free shopping paradise that welcomes millions of travelers each year. Whether you're heading to your boarding gate or returning from a long journey, this shining structure immediately adds a sense of arrival and occasion. Symbolism and Style The palm tree is an enduring symbol of the Arabian Peninsula, representing resilience, hospitality, and life in the desert. At Dubai International Airport, it is reimagined in gold, the color that best reflects the city’s ambitious skyline, economic success, and cultural grandeur. The sculpture’...

At the very heart of old Madras, in an area that still carries the name Park Town, survives a green space that feels quietly certain of its place in the city. This is My Ladye’s Garden , the last living remnant of what was once People’s Park, the largest and most ambitious public park ever created for Madras. People’s Park was envisioned in the mid-19th century by Governor Sir Charles Trevelyan as a civic lung for the city. In 1859, Trevelyan proposed the idea of a large public park to the municipal commissioners, to be laid out between the Esplanade and Vepery. The funds for this ambitious project were raised by selling land between the Old Town Wall and the Buckingham Canal. A design competition followed, and Robert Badry’s plan, inspired by the great parks of London, was chosen.  Management of the park passed to the Municipality in 1866. Over time, People’s Park expanded into a vast public landscape with salt-contour aligned paths, lakes, shaded avenues, sports grounds, a bandst...

In the heart of George Town’s commercial chaos, amidst honking vehicles, crowded pavements, and century-old buildings, stands a quiet sentinel of heritage retail: the Ebrahim Currim & Sons umbrella shop on NSC Bose Road , Chennai. To many Chennaites, this isn’t just a store; it’s a memory, a monsoon essential, and a trusted name passed down generations. A Slice of Umbrella Heritage in Chennai While the original business was founded in Mumbai in 1860, Ebrahim Currim & Sons extended its footprint to Chennai decades ago. Strategically located in Parrys Corner , the city's most historic trading quarter, the shop became the go-to destination for high-quality umbrellas , both for daily use and formal gifting. Locals often refer to the brand by its signature line: the “Maan Mark Umbrella” , a symbol of trust, strength, and staying power. Even in today’s age of disposables, this store remains a reliable option for sturdy, long-lasting umbrellas . The Shopfront on NSC Bose Road...

Hidden within the Charbagh garden of Delhi’s Humayun’s Tomb complex is a monument that many visitors miss in their rush towards the main mausoleum. This is the Barber’s Tomb , popularly known as Nai-ka-Gumbad . It is modest in scale when compared with Humayun’s imposing tomb, yet it carries a quiet presence of its own, and it rewards anyone who pauses to look closely. Historical Context The Barber’s Tomb is generally dated to 1590–91 CE , built a few decades after Humayun’s Tomb was completed. The identity of those buried here is not firmly established, but local tradition connects the monument to Humayun’s royal barber , a trusted attendant within the Mughal court. That association, whether fully provable or not, adds a human dimension to the otherwise imperial landscape. What makes this tomb particularly striking is its location . It is the only structure placed within the main garden enclosure of Humayun’s Tomb. In most Mughal complexes, subsidiary tombs sit along the edges, allowi...

Set against the grey skies of New Jersey, the Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple emerges like a dream in stone, an architectural symphony of sandstone and marble, tradition and technology. Though recently inaugurated, this temple already feels timeless, carrying forward centuries of Indian temple-building ethos into the heart of America. The Golden Sculpture – A Spiritual Welcome Dominating the expansive central plaza is a magnificent golden sculpture of a young ascetic figure, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu-like in pose but dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Standing in a yogic posture with both arms raised, eyes closed in serene transcendence, and a japamala in hand, the sculpture exudes a quiet intensity. This icon is not just ornamental; it sets the tone for the temple’s spiritual depth, one of stillness, strength, and surrender. A Temple That Breathes Sculpture Every inch of this temple is storytelling in stone. The outer façade is adorned with intricately carved pillars featuring divine fi...

Sprawling over 840 acres in the heart of Manhattan, Central Park is not only a green oasis in the midst of New York City’s urban intensity but also one of the world’s most significant landscapes of public art. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux , the park opened in 1858 and has since become a masterpiece of naturalistic design, cultural expression, and civic pride. Winding pathways, tranquil lakes, lush woodlands, and grand lawns unfold across the park’s lengt, but Central Park is also a vast outdoor museum, home to dozens of monuments, statues, and memorials that span centuries, cultures, and artistic styles. A Walk Through Central Park's Sculptural Legacy Here is a curated walk through some of Central Park’s most notable statues and monuments, with their respective years of installation: The Schiller Monument (1859) The first monument installed in the park, this bronze bust honors the German poet Friedrich Schiller, a gift from New York's German-Amer...

Among the tree-lined surroundings of Dante Park at Broadway and 64th Street stands a powerful bronze figure, the statue of Dante Alighieri , one of Italy’s greatest poets and a literary titan whose epic vision reshaped the course of Western literature. Somber, austere, and majestic, this statue is a fitting tribute to the author of The Divine Comedy , whose legacy transcends both time and geography. The statue was sculpted by Ettore Ximenes , a celebrated Italian artist, and was installed in 1921 as a gift from New York's Italian-American community to commemorate the 600th birth anniversary of Dante . Its location, directly across from Lincoln Center, places it at the intersection of art, culture, and civic life in the city. Dante Alighieri Statue – New York City Cast in bronze and mounted on a granite pedestal, Dante is depicted in a full-length standing pose, clad in traditional medieval robes. He holds a large book close to his chest,  prominently inscribed “D. COMMEDIA” , re...

Located within the quiet eastern paths of Central Park, a solemn bronze bust rests on a stone pedestal,  the statue of Giuseppe Mazzini , an Italian patriot, philosopher, and one of the intellectual leaders of the 19th-century movement for Italian unification. Though less familiar to many American visitors, Mazzini’s legacy as a champion of democracy and republicanism resonates far beyond Italy’s borders. This bust was sculpted by Giovanni Turini and installed in 1878 , making it one of the earliest commemorative statues in Central Park dedicated to an international figure. It was funded by the Italian-American community as a tribute to Mazzini’s ideals of liberty, justice, and national unity. Giuseppe Mazzini Statue – Central Park, New York The sculpture is a bust portrait , rendered in bronze with a neoclassical simplicity. Mazzini is shown with a thin, angular face , a high forehead , and a carefully detailed beard and mustache , conveying both intellectual intensity and a qu...

Along the eastern path of Central Park, near East 69th Street, stands a solemn and dignified tribute to the brave men of New York’s Seventh Regiment who sacrificed their lives during the American Civil War. The Seventh Regiment Memorial , also known as the New York Seventh Regiment Monument , is a poignant reminder of the personal cost of war and the quiet heroism of ordinary soldiers. This bronze sculpture was created by John Quincy Adams Ward , one of the most prominent American sculptors of the 19th century. It was unveiled in 1874 and commissioned by the Seventh Regiment themselves as a tribute to their fallen comrades. The statue’s realism and understated elegance make it one of the earliest and most important examples of Civil War memorials in New York City. Seventh Regiment Memorial – Central Park, New York The sculpture depicts a lone infantryman standing at rest , dressed in the uniform of the Union Army. His stance is relaxed yet alert. He holds his rifle vertically in fr...

Standing tall with an expression of stern resolve, the statue of Daniel Webster commands attention near the southern end of Central Park in New York. This bronze monument pays tribute to one of 19th-century America’s most powerful orators and statesmen, a man whose words helped shape the identity of a still-young nation. Unveiled in 1876 , the statue was sculpted by Thomas Ball , a renowned American sculptor known for his realistic and expressive portraits. It was installed during the centennial year of American independence, adding symbolic weight to its presence in the city’s foremost public park. Daniel Webster Statue – Central Park, New York Webster is depicted in a formal, upright pose, with his right hand tucked into his coat , a classic 19th-century gesture signifying confidence, control, and composure. He wears a double-breasted coat and formal trousers, and his cloak is carefully draped over a nearby pedestal or chair, adding a sculptural balance to the composition. His fac...