Abstract sculptures redefine Kurukshetra’s sacred landscape
Saraswati Tirtha is considered to be a place of great religious importance and lakhs of people reach Pehowa every year
Amid the ongoing efforts being made to promote Kurukshetra as a religious tourist destination for its historic shrines, cultural heritage, Tirthas and sites associated with the Mahabharata, the contemporary abstract sculptures are adding new dimension to the holy sites to attract tourists.
More than three years after getting a ‘Gita Shilp Kala Udyan’ showcasing 21 contemporary abstract sculptures at the Brahma Sarovar, 16 newly constructed sculptures are ready to be displayed at Saraswati Tirtha, Pehowa.
The Saraswati Tirtha is considered to be a place of great religious importance and lakhs of people reach Pehowa every year from different parts of the country to perform post-death rituals for their family members, and also offer prayers to their ancestors during the Chaitra Chaudas fair.
The sculptures were prepared during the recently held 15-day International Sculpture Symposium organised by the Department of Art and Cultural Affairs in collaboration with the Haryana Saraswati Heritage Development Board and as part of the Saraswati Mahotsav at Pehowa Tirtha.
As many as 17 blocks of nearly 85 tonnes of black Bhainslana marble were brought from Rajasthan for this project. The sculptures have been prepared by the artists belonging to Haryana, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh after carving out single rock pieces.
Hirday Kaushal, Art and Cultural Officer (Sculpture), Department of Art and Cultural Affairs, Haryana, said, “The artists have prepared 16 monumental modern sculptures, created in black marble from large natural rock blocks. All 16 sculptures are from 7 to 16 ft tall with artistic conceptual creative dialogue delivered for public. The sculptures have been prepared on the themes based on the excavation of the Saraswati River, the culture and civilisation of Haryana, and the Sindhu–Saraswati civilisation. The artists were given the freedom to express their art.”
“Though it can take nearly 20 to 30 days to build such big art pieces, these were created in nearly 15 days here, showing the dedication and commitment of the artists. Such efforts contribute significantly to strengthening the artistic and cultural identity of Haryana, particularly in the field of contemporary public sculpture”, he added.
Hirday Kaushal further informed that though the sculptures are ready, these will be installed after constructing pedestals for the sculptures. However, these sculptures are constructed to be permanently installed and exhibited at the Pehowa Tirtha, a couple of these are expected to be installed at important locations along the Saraswati River. The sculpture park will enhance the aesthetic value of the Pehowa Tirtha and add to the experience of tourists and devotees as they will get a new attraction.
The sculptures have also been given different titles like ‘Aviral Nirmal Gati Pragati’, The sacred confluence, symphonia saras, the excavation, echoes of The Saraswati, flow of knowledge, balance of life, the bull as bearer of Saraswati heritage, prithvi-stree, jagat janani, tradition and technique, flow of Saraswati, The Akshyavat, Lipi Se Jeevan, rebirth Sarswati civilisation, and save the Saraswati river.
As per the official, the concept and names of the artists will be displayed along the sculptures. A catalogue is also being designed for this sculpture park.
“The earlier constructed 21 contemporary abstract sculptures have become a centre of attraction for the devotees and tourists reaching the Brahma Sarovar. The sculptures prepared in 2021 during the International Gita Mahotsav at the Brahma Sarovar were inaugurated by President Droupadi Murmu during the IGM-2022. It was a matter of great pride for us as it was the first sculpture park in the state. Our efforts were appreciated, we got a positive response and as a result, we got another opportunity to build another sculpture park for Kurukshetra”, he said.
The art and cultural officer said, “The department has been making sincere efforts to revive the dying sculpture art in the state and try to give a platform to young artists of Haryana. This kind of symposium generate jobs, business and promotion of art. The kind of sculptures that have been prepared can fetch lakhs of rupees in the national and international markets. We are confident that these sculptures will help in the preservation of traditional sculpture practices, the introduction of contemporary art, and the promotion of art.”
