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Of leisure and a landmark

Bharathi Park, which wears a new look, will reopen soon. DEEPA H RAMAKRISHNAN takes a look

PHOTO: T. SINGARAVELOU

GREEN MAKEOVER The renovated Bharathi Park.

Signs and gates that didn't let people inside the park... For all the wait, it's now really a pleasure to walk through the Bharathi Park.

With cobbled pathways, pruned tress that let just the right amount of light and air in, two play areas for children and a musical fountain, the renovated Bharathi Park, situated right opposite the Puducherry Assembly building, looks picture perfect. The centre of attraction, the beautiful white structure of the lady of the park — the Aayi Mandapam — has been dolled up with more cannons around it and a fresh coat of paint. In the evenings, as the lights are switched on, the mandapam takes on different hues and shades. Though the work on the park is yet to be completed (probably by the end of this month), we got a sneak preview!

Right now, Juan Silverio, Indra and Island from Auroville are working on trimming and pruning the 170-odd trees in the park. "We want to remove the dead and broken branches, clear the canopy and want to make the trees healthier without losing their forms. When you remove excess branches, it is like losing weight and so the trees will feel better. We take care not to remove strong branches and those that are oriented with the balance of the tree," says Juan.

It is a sight to see — the three men clambering onto the trees and working with ropes and power saws. Everyday they work on at least 6 trees, which may then not need pruning for at least a couple of years.

A cast-iron fence runs along the periphery of the park. There are four gateways. For people, who like to sit and read a book in the afternoons, there are granite benches all over. The green grass that has been carefully laid is a striking contrast to the granite slab walkways. The colourful play areas have slides, nets, swings, jogging pads and a little wooden house.

As the sun goes down, the park is softly lit and the mood is set for a relaxing evening. The cast iron lampposts (120 in all) blend into the surroundings and throw a diffused light.

The musical fountain is a dual fountain, during the day, it will be a dome fountain and at night, the water, lit with colourful lights, will move in tune with music. The park will be watered at night by an automatic sprinkling system.

The restoration work, costing around Rs. 3.3 crore, has been on for more than a year. According to architects, Shadish and Arul of INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage), the project was conceptualised during the Asia Urbs programme, a European Commission Initiative for improving the urban environment and heritage in the boulevard town. Funds for the project came from both the Central and State governments with the Department of Tourism undertaking the project. The PWD is the implementing agency.

The design for the 10-acre park, which belongs to the Puducherry Municipality, was developed by INTACH, Puducherry, with inputs from the Government.

INTACH Co-convenor Ajit Koujalgi says, "The park renovation is part of an integrated master plan to revive the entire area including the Gandhi Thidal and the beach promenade. We also plan to set up a crafts bazaar on both sides of the Nehru statue and a makeshift stage for cultural activities. With the buildings that surround the park also to be renovated, the park, the thidal and the buildings will make for an ideal urban setting."

Ashok Panda, INTACH, firmly believes that this project will be an added attraction to tourists. With the Government's commitment to preserve and restore heritage buildings of the town, Puducherry will surely become a prime tourist destination.

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