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Flower bower
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If the Chief Minister has his way, there will be no more flower shows at Lal Bagh's Glass House, which is to be declared a heritage monument. N. SHIVAPRIYA checks out the ayes and nays
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The Glass House is particularly resplendent when it is lit up at night.
IT IS noontime. The sun bounces off the glass panes making the Lalbagh Glass House sparkle in the surrounding green. It wears a spruced up look post-renovation. Its aging glass has been replaced with spanking new laminated panes, and supporting iron pillars fortified with fresh paint. Its airy interiors speak of the plants and flowers that once adorned it in summer and winter shows before becoming part of local nurseries and plantations and passing into plant lore.
L. Hanumiah, former Director of Horticulture, in a book commemorating 100 years of the Glass House, wrote: "The Glass House became the venue for the introduction of several botanical species, particularly species of economic importance. At least some of these species became commercial crops in the state and the country." Many popular varieties of groundnut, potato, cotton, rubber, and fruit plants like apple, apricot and peach can be counted under this category.
The common carrot, cabbage and cauliflower, for instance, also owe their popularity to John Cameron who first introduced them in the Lalbagh Gardens. It was Cameron who conceived the idea of building a conservatory to acclimatise and display the exotic plants introduced in the garden. The Albert Victor Conservatory or the Glass House, as it known today, was thus born.
"This foundation stone of the Lalbagh Horticultural Exhibition Building was laid by His Royal Highness Prince Albert Victor Christian Edward of Wales K.C.K.P on the 30th November 1889 on the occasion of his visit to Bangalore," reads the foundation stone at the entrance to the Glass House.
The Glass House was modelled on the Crystal Palace in London and took 12 months to build. MacFarlane and Company, Glasgow, was responsible for its design, architecture and construction. The entire structure was completed in 1890 at a cost of Rs. 75,000.
The Glass House was extended with the addition of a rear wing in 1935 when H.C. Javaraya was the Director of Horticulture. The foundation stone for the extension was laid by the Dewan of Mysore, Sir Mirza Ismail, and all the materials for the extension were sourced indigenously.
Renovation
The hiatus between two flowers shows, the Independence Day flower show and the Republic Day flower show, was the time available to the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) for the renovation of the Glass House. "The idea was not to modernise the structure but to re-create the original one," said Jayakar Jerome, BDA Commissioner, about how the renovation was carried out.
Work started on September 25, 2003, and the entire substructure, including the rafters and the purling, was replaced. The old wire-mesh glass was replaced with laminated toughened glass. Steel tubes were used to retain the original look and the glass was bonded using gaskets, spacer tapes, and silicon gel to make it leak-proof.
"It is stronger and safer without affecting the original look," said C. Jayaram, Deputy Conservator of Forest, BDA. "You can walk on this glass and it won't break." The supporting iron pillars were sandblasted and re-painted after removing the corrosion. The lettering on the pillars is still visible and careful observers can discern "MacFarlane" or "Mysore Iron Works" on it, depending on which part of the Glass House the pillar is located.
The grill surrounding the Glass House was removed during the renovation because it was felt that it put more strain on the structure. The soil bed was replaced with sand because soil has a tendency to retain water and corrode the iron pillars.
Flower shows
Ironically, the renovation of the Glass House has not really helped the cause of the plants for which it was originally built. Horticulture Department officials point out that side grill acted as a wind barrier and sun filter for the flowers that were displayed. Before Chief Minister S.M. Krishna's announcement that the flower shows would henceforth be held elsewhere in Lalbagh, the authorities were already thinking of making alternative arrangements to protect the flowers. They had already decided to do away with the corner arrangements, a big draw during the flower shows, because of the changes made to the renovated structure. Moreover, during the flower show a fortnight or so ago, there were complaints that the flowers wilted because the light penetration was greater through the new glass.
Not everybody is happy. "It has to be remembered that the Glass House was built for plants," fumes Bonsai Srinivas, whose famous bonsai arrangements are also a big draw at flower shows.
With the Chief Minister saying that the Glass House would be declared a heritage monument, Mr. Jayakar Jerome stands vindicated. Speaking to this reporter last month, he questioned the wisdom of permitting the flower show to continue at the risk of damaging the edifice. He pointed out that the accumulation of soil and water had corroded the iron pillars, whose base was covered in 1,000 cubic meters of soil. And even the foundation stone of the Glass House extension was so deep in the soil that it was only accidentally discovered while doing the cabling.
But, countered Bonsai Srinivas: "Technology has improved. Why spend Rs. 3 crore on renovation if you can't hold a flower show?" Public opinion seems to be with him.
Most Lalbagh regulars feel the biannual flower shows at the Glass House are much part of history as the Glass House itself.
"The Glass House doesn't mean much without the flowers," said a young Lalbagh regular, "I think the best way to preserve something is to use it." Another couple suggested there could be a different kind of flower arrangement that doesn't damage the structure.
And one indignant old-timer demanded to know what damage was wreaked by flower shows that are held only twice a year.
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