Mumbai: Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will install a 'Meghdambari' (umbrella) on the Bal Shivaji Maharaj and Jijamata statues, which are located in Rani Baugh. BMC will spent Rs. 43 lakh in the production of Meghdambari. The entire Meghdambari will be made of copper with an artistic design on it.
Veer Jijamata Udyan, popularly known as Rani Baugh, is the oldest public garden in Mumbai. It was constructed in the year 1861 in memory of England's Queen Victoria. Thousands of visitors pay to visit this garden with their children. The BMC is the authority in charge of maintaining and improving the garden. Many wild animals and birds have been kept in zoos. A few years back, Humboldt Penguins were included in the zoo. Apart from that, many heritage structures are situated in Rani Baugh.
It will complete the look of statue
There is one statue of Bal Shivaji and his mother, Jijabai. The statue is made of pure bronze. According to DR Sanjay Tripathi, Superintendent of Jijamata Udyan said, "The height of the statue is around 9 feet and it was erected in the year 1992. There was no Meghdambari on the statue, so we have decided to install one on it."
A suitable Meghdambari will be installed. Another officer said, " We got approval from the commissioner, and within the next two months we will install it on the statue. Small embroidery work will be there to add to the beauty of Meghdambari. Special artists are working on it. "
Meghdambari will give the statue a complete look. He added.
Reason of installing Meghdambari after 30 years
When FPJ asked Dr Tripathi when the statue was set up in the year 1992, he asked why BMC was installing Meghdambari after 30 years . Commenting on this, Dr. Tripathi said, "The installation of Meghdambari was discussed during the modernization of the zoo. Meanwhile, it was decided to shift it to the other side. Thereafter, it was decided to keep it as it is with the installation of Meghdambari. "
According to Dr. Tripathi, kings and queens in their time used huge umbrellas. As we have seen, many historical statues have Meghdambari. Shivaji Maharaj and his mother Jijamata are respectable to the people of Maharashtra. Therefore, we are setting up Meghdambari on the statue.
Meghdambari will suport to the current statue
Rahul Chemburkar, conservation architect and heritage consultant, Vastu Vidhan project, who also made the design and concept of Meghdambari, said, " We normally use copper when the sculpture has historical significance." We have taken care that the statue should be visible from every side.
Our Meghdambari will not create a hindrance to the current statue. Besides that, we have decided to give support from the back. It would be cantilevered. Our umbrella will maintain the sanctity of the structure. Our umbrella will not only protect the statue but will enhance its beauty. It will look like it is part of the sculpture itself.
This is the concept behind installing Meghdambari on the statue. He also said, " We will install the old royal symbols on a copper plate. On the base of the structure where the statue is standing," said Chemburkar.
