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Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Beamed into focus: Lit-up angel atop Victoria dome to be part of Kolkata's night skyline
1 2 3 Kolkata: The rotating fairy atop Victoria Memorial Hall dome will soon be visible 24×7. Between 11 pm and dawn every night, it will shine like a jewel, bringing attention to a less conspicuous detail in one of the city's most celebrated landmarks. While Victoria Memorial Hall is lit up at dusk, the lights are switched off at 11 pm, plunging the marble edifice with the angel perched on the dome into darkness. Though the lights will still go off at 11 pm, 10 light beams will continue to be trained on the Angel of Victory with its wings unfurled, holding a wreath in the left hand and a trumpet in the right. "We will do the final light tests on Monday. If everything is good, the fairy will glow through the night, every night," said VMH secretary and curator-in-charge Anurag Kumar. When heritage lovers' group Kolkata Restorers sought Kumar's permission to try and illuminate the angel, he gave the go-ahead but with multiple conditions, VMH being a protected heritage site. Lighting design and illumination expert Suyash Narsaria was told no equipment could be fixed on the facade and that the dome and the angel were off-limits. "That meant no direct access and no standard lighting solutions. But the limitation was also an opportunity to innovate. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cyprus investments might be cheaper than you think Cyprus Investments | Search Ads Get Info Undo We decided to experiment with narrow-beam focus lights — specifically, 8-degree beam angle fixtures. We did this first from the garden, nearly 350 ft from the fairy. Encouraged by the result, we moved to the terrace for focused and sharper beams," Narsaria said. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata To ensure that the rotating angel is illuminated from all sides, 10 LED focus lights of 18W. Each has been used with eight-degree beam angles, strategically arranged in a 360° layout so that the angel remains evenly lit regardless of its orientation. "The result has been magical. It almost felt like the fixture was designed specifically to highlight the angel — subtle, elegant, and powerful," the illumination expert added. The 4.9-m tall, 3.5-tonne bronze angel, named Victoria after the Roman goddess of victory, is a windvane that rotates in wind in excess of 18 kmph. Created by British sculptor Lindsay Clarke, the angel was shipped from Cheltenham, England, to India in 1920 and installed the following year on the dome, nine years after the memorial was inaugurated.
Time of India
21-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Citizens' initiative restores Tollygunge Ghari Ghar heritage gateway
1 2 3 4 Kolkata: Kolkata Restorers, a collective of citizens who love the city and its heritage, have restored the Tollygunge Ghari Ghar, a Grade I heritage structure off Deshpran Sasmal Road near the Tipu Sultan mosque. Constructed around 1877 by Prince Raheemuddin Shah, a great-grandson of Tipu Sultan, the gateway once supported a large clock on top, hence the local name Ghari Ghar. The archway serves as an entrance to the imambara inside the lane. The gateway features Tuscan-style columns and inscriptions in Nastaliq Urdu and Bengali. "This is more than just a gateway; it is a historical marker of Tipu Sultan's lineage, a centre of Shia ritual life, and a testament to colonial-era architecture," said architect Anjan Mitra, who was advised on how the restoration should be done. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata After taking permission from the Wakf trustees led by Humayun Mirza, a descendant of Tipu Sultan as well as Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, the cracks were repaired and the structure was given lime paint. The marble plaques on the gate were cleaned, and the archway was illuminated. Kolkata-based company Techno Electric funded the entire cost of restoration. The translation of the Nastaliq script carries the following interpretation: "This graceful tower, crowned with a noble arch, has been raised as a place of beauty and reflection — worthy of reverence, like a place of prayer. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Sticky Sweet Treat Is Healthier Than You Think – 15 Reasons to Add It to Your Diet! Learn More Undo by Taboola by Taboola Though time may pass and eras may shift, this structure stands firm, embodying the refined taste and noble spirit of its maker." "The tower is a royal memorial, constructed by a descendant of one of the subcontinent's most revered freedom fighters — Tipu Sultan, the martyr and protector of his people," said Mudar Patherya, who has coordinated the Kolkata Restorers initiative. "Its creator, Sayyid Mohamed Raheemuddin, was the son of Abdul Rahman, grandson of Abdus Salam, and great-grandson of Tipu Sultan. Through this structure, he preserved a legacy of dignity, courage, and devotion to heritage. This tower was erected in 1877. The arch offers a rare glimpse into Kolkata's 19th century Muslim aristocracy and how local landmarks retain lived memory," he added.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Gateway to a legacy: Kolkata restorers begin restoration of Tollygunge Ghari Ghar heritage gateway
KOLKATA: Kolkata Restorers, a collective of citizens who love the city and its heritage, have started restoring the Tollygunge Ghari Ghar, a Grade I heritage structure off Deshpran Sasmal Road near the Tipu Sultan Mosque. Constructed around 1865 by Prince Rahimuddin Shah, a grandson of Tipu Sultan, the gateway once supported a large clock on top, hence the local name Ghari Ghar. The archway serves as an entrance to the Imambara inside the lane. The gateway features Tuscan-style columns and inscriptions in Nastaliq Urdu and Bengali. "This is more than just a gateway; it is a historical marker of Tipu Sultan's lineage, a centre of Shia ritual life, and a testament to colonial-era architecture," remarked architect Anjan Mitra, who was advised how the restoration should be done. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata After taking permission from the Wakf trustees led by Humayun Mirza, a descendant of Tipu Sultan as well as Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, the cracks were repaired and the structure was given lime paint. The marble plaques on the gate were cleaned, and the archway was illuminated. Kolkata-based company Techno Electric funded the entire cost of restoration. The translation of the Nastaliq script carries the following interpretation: 'This graceful tower, crowned with a noble arch, has been raised as a place of beauty and reflection — worthy of reverence, like a place of prayer. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Though time may pass and eras may shift, this structure stands firm, embodying the refined taste and noble spirit of its maker. "The tower is a royal memorial, constructed by a descendant of one of the subcontinent's most revered freedom fighters — Tipu Sultan, the martyr and protector of his people. 'Its creator, Sayyid Mohamed Raheemuddin, was the son of Abdul Rahman, grandson of Abdus Salam, and great-grandson of Tipu Sultan. Through this structure, he preserved a legacy of dignity, courage, and devotion to heritage. This tower was erected in the year 1877.' "The arch offers a rare glimpse into Kolkata's 19th-century Muslim aristocracy and how local landmarks retain lived memory," said Mudar Patherya, who has led the Kolkata Restorers initiative. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
