Week-8 Architecture, Avantika.S


Summary

      The readings discuss the value of the statues in our country, with respect to the ones built by Mayawati as they received a nation-wide critique. Political symbols play a major part in a way a nation is depicted, it is safe to say that as a nation we are symbolically driven, for instance we pray to multiple structures of gods on a daily basis. However, there are certain marginalised communities belonging to different religions for example- Muslims, that do not get represented symbolically and those belonging to the bottom the caste structure. The interesting part about this article is that these statues built by Mayawati represent Dalits, a place for them to visit and a statue of their leader Ambedkar.
       Symbols play a major role, both religious and political…well they both are intertwined. Political parties and social organisations use symbols to appeal to people on a more private level. The British began this with installing statues of soldiers and civil servants of the Raj, and it was continued post-independence when statues of Gandhiji were installed.
       There is no doubt that statues serve as symbols that instilled feelings of nationalism among citizens of the country, it also helps people connect and appeals to the masses at a different level. However, the same can be mis-used by political leaders to win vote banks, but this is like a vicious circle as most political parties use religious symbols to win votes. So that leaves the audience with the question as to whether the upper class only hear about Statues being a waste of money and non-eco friendly only when it comes to “certain peoples” statues being erected. History is evidence to riots that place on Ambedkar Jayanti or when people simply gather at Ambedkar’s Statue to celebrate, the same does not occur on festivities related to Shivaji. In conclusion, the author would like to state that there is no doubt that these statues were not budget friendly, or eco- friendly, however these statues would be successful in their purpose if one could take away the real significance it held for a Dalit, what Ambedkar standing in his three- piece suit stands for and the elegant elephants emphasise. If the last three were understood by the masses, these statues would have truly fulfilled their purpose, and the critique that statues fall short of building conducive face-to-face communities would no longer stand.

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