It is easy to see that Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj is and will be the greatest individual in Maharashtra. There are many accounts that recreate the magnificence, power and qualities of the great king. These accounts also repeatedly discuss the Quality of Life that the common man enjoyed under an able ruler- undoubtedly amongst India’s greatest sons. To borrow a phrase from Bhutan, the Gross National Happiness in Shivaji Maharaj’s kingdom was very high- though he himself was constantly battling hostile neighbours and invaders. But all this was over 400 years ago.
These days, the Government of Maharashtra is toying with the idea of erecting a memorial in Mumbai. This monument will dwarf the Statue of Liberty and will rank amongst one of Modern India’s greatest engineering marvels. Like the Statue of Liberty, it will be THE visual spectacle on the west coast of Mumbai along the Marine Drive promenade.
These days, the Government of Maharashtra is toying with the idea of erecting a memorial in Mumbai. This monument will dwarf the Statue of Liberty and will rank amongst one of Modern India’s greatest engineering marvels. Like the Statue of Liberty, it will be THE visual spectacle on the west coast of Mumbai along the Marine Drive promenade.
So far, so good …so what?
The biggest irony is that unlike the Statue of Liberty, which symbolizes the values of a nation as people enter through Manhattan harbour, no such dramatic feeling will engulf the people seeing this grand monument. There are innumerable accounts of people getting goosebumps as Manhattan harbour draws close, and the Statue of Liberty is the first symbol of a new country that they see.
The biggest irony is that unlike the Statue of Liberty, which symbolizes the values of a nation as people enter through Manhattan harbour, no such dramatic feeling will engulf the people seeing this grand monument. There are innumerable accounts of people getting goosebumps as Manhattan harbour draws close, and the Statue of Liberty is the first symbol of a new country that they see.
I know that Shivaji Maharaj – a personal hero since childhood- can do this too. But sadly, people do not enter Mumbai from its West coast.
Regarding siting of the mounument, it will be approximately 1 Km into the Arabian Sea. This will involve considerable engineering on a part of land which is already much fiddled with (the Backbay Reclamation). So, getting there will have to by motor boat, unless one is a champion swimmer. These boats will have oil spills which will wash up amongst the tetrapods along Marine Drive. Possibly there will dead fish and a security threat to Raj Bhavan when the Government and Chief Minister changes.
Shivaji Maharaj was a great military tactician known for his warfare skills on mountainous terrain. The formation of the Maratha Navy did not really achieve many inroads into the coastal territory and kingdom of Shivaji Maharaj. As per historic records, the Navy was just a deterrent to the ambitious British and the wily Sultanates. Forests and hills are landscapes with which one connects with when it comes to this great warrior. He was a person who valued forests, and not just because it gave his armies camouflage.
Therefore a more apt location would be a spur along the National Park hills as they dip down near Kandivali. Spatially, this setting would be similar to that of Christ the Redeemer-in Rio de Janeiro- recently nominated as a Wonder of the World. It would also make an interesting get-away point foraying into the hills in the heart of the suburbs. It could even be the destination/ turn-around point of environmental trails. The prospect/views of the city from such an elevation would rival Café Naaz, and even Christ the Redeemer.
The scale of the statue will not get lost, and more importantly, it could herald a new development control regulation specifying Viewsheds and lines of sight on lower elevations (e.g. Thakur Village). This would restrict heights of buildings and actually involve Urban Designers to chart out the urban form of this area.
Since we are not Canberra where the hills determine the silhouette of built form, someone of the stature of Shivaji Maharaj could well be the impetus for urban design and form. The cost of doing all this would be a fraction of the estimated 300 crores that this exercise will require if the statue is placed in the sea.
Regarding siting of the mounument, it will be approximately 1 Km into the Arabian Sea. This will involve considerable engineering on a part of land which is already much fiddled with (the Backbay Reclamation). So, getting there will have to by motor boat, unless one is a champion swimmer. These boats will have oil spills which will wash up amongst the tetrapods along Marine Drive. Possibly there will dead fish and a security threat to Raj Bhavan when the Government and Chief Minister changes.
Shivaji Maharaj was a great military tactician known for his warfare skills on mountainous terrain. The formation of the Maratha Navy did not really achieve many inroads into the coastal territory and kingdom of Shivaji Maharaj. As per historic records, the Navy was just a deterrent to the ambitious British and the wily Sultanates. Forests and hills are landscapes with which one connects with when it comes to this great warrior. He was a person who valued forests, and not just because it gave his armies camouflage.
Therefore a more apt location would be a spur along the National Park hills as they dip down near Kandivali. Spatially, this setting would be similar to that of Christ the Redeemer-in Rio de Janeiro- recently nominated as a Wonder of the World. It would also make an interesting get-away point foraying into the hills in the heart of the suburbs. It could even be the destination/ turn-around point of environmental trails. The prospect/views of the city from such an elevation would rival Café Naaz, and even Christ the Redeemer.
The scale of the statue will not get lost, and more importantly, it could herald a new development control regulation specifying Viewsheds and lines of sight on lower elevations (e.g. Thakur Village). This would restrict heights of buildings and actually involve Urban Designers to chart out the urban form of this area.
Since we are not Canberra where the hills determine the silhouette of built form, someone of the stature of Shivaji Maharaj could well be the impetus for urban design and form. The cost of doing all this would be a fraction of the estimated 300 crores that this exercise will require if the statue is placed in the sea.
Furthermore, by placing the statue on the West coast, the setting sun will form a backdrop, when viewed from Marine Drive, Therefore most pictures will only be silhouettes. Metaphorically, the sun would set behind him. One usually rides INTO the sunset as a symbolism of a happy ending/ completeness. This would definitely not happen, as the statue would either be oriented to face the Marine Drive or its profile will be almost parallel to Marine drive.
By placing the statue in a position such that the Rising sun comes from behind the statue, one could symbolically convey meanings like “ with dawn of day, let us try and live our life as Shivaji Maharaj did for the welfare of his people”. This, in my opinion, is more poetic and inspiring (to me atleast). Since the East coast of Mumbai is a restricted access area, the hills mentioned previously would be a great site to consider.
300 crores in today’s money talking world, is still B-I-G money.
Alternatively, why not create a “Yojana/ Corpus” and use it to reinforce the education system? Or make sure EVERYONE gets primary healthcare? Or restore/ conserve ALL the amazing forts built by Shivaji Maharaj across Maharashtra? This option will surely be appreciated by the entire country, especially Madhya Pradesh- the land of King Chatrasaal, the Bundela king who modelled his strategies and rule on the persona of Shivaji to free his homeland- Bundelkhand.
For all those who are parroting patriotism using Shivaji Maharaj’s name and imagery, I say- stop your tokenism. Instead focus on improving the “Quality of Life” for the common man. That is the easiest way to get Shivaji Maharaj’s blessings.
Take a crash course on the great king’s values and priorities by watching his portrayal through Marathi cinema (Doordarshan archives), Babasaheb Purandare’s Jaanta Raja and other such media. Throughout, you will find his concern for his people (not just Marathas) as the strongest reason for all his actions.
Alternatively, why not create a “Yojana/ Corpus” and use it to reinforce the education system? Or make sure EVERYONE gets primary healthcare? Or restore/ conserve ALL the amazing forts built by Shivaji Maharaj across Maharashtra? This option will surely be appreciated by the entire country, especially Madhya Pradesh- the land of King Chatrasaal, the Bundela king who modelled his strategies and rule on the persona of Shivaji to free his homeland- Bundelkhand.
For all those who are parroting patriotism using Shivaji Maharaj’s name and imagery, I say- stop your tokenism. Instead focus on improving the “Quality of Life” for the common man. That is the easiest way to get Shivaji Maharaj’s blessings.
Take a crash course on the great king’s values and priorities by watching his portrayal through Marathi cinema (Doordarshan archives), Babasaheb Purandare’s Jaanta Raja and other such media. Throughout, you will find his concern for his people (not just Marathas) as the strongest reason for all his actions.
Hope you will truly discover the person that Shivaji Maharaj was- a Ruler with a sincerity of purpose, dedication, consistency, accountability- who bestowed a great sense of belonging and security upon his subjects without discrimination– all hallmarks of a Great Statesman.
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