The Elephanta Caves , located on Elephanta Island, or Gharapuri, about 11 Km off the coast of the Gateway of India, Mumbai, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A visit to these caves, excavated probably in the 6 th century CE, is awe-inspiring, and also thought-provoking. Over the years, I have visited the caves a number of times, and also attended a number of talks by experts in the fields of art, history and archaeology on the caves. Together, they help me understand these caves, their art, and the people they were created for, just a little bit better. Every new visit, every new talk, every new article I read about the caves, fleshes out the image of what the island and the caves would have been like, at their peak. I last wrote about the caves on this blog, in 2011, almost exactly 11 years ago. Since then, my understanding of the caves has, I would like to think, marginally improved. Hence this attempt to write a new and updated post, trying to bring to life, the caves of Elephan
A week has gone by since I last wrote something, and, in an effort to break this dry spell, here is a random photo from the recently concluded KGAF 2014...
The David Sassoon Library or DSL is a landmark in Fort, and those who enter, are greeted by this larger-than-life size statue of David Sassoon, who was probably the most well known among the Baghdadi Jews of Mumbai. We began our Jewish History walk at the fest here, and, while waiting for the walk to start, noticed this interesting offering, thanks to Sudha Ganapathy...
What you see at Sassoon's feet is the humble Vada Pav - probably the cheapest and the most popular among street food in the city. The ones here were being offered to guests at the launch of an exhibition of David Sassoon's contribution to the city, and someone had left one plate at his feet... A symbolic offering, should we say?
So, do you think David Sassoon would have relished that plate of Vada Pav?
Never heard of this personality. I will definitely look at him in Google. The offering picture is really funny. I thought Vada pav has achieved a great promotion by replacing the traditional Prasad in temples.
ReplyDeleteRachit, it sad that many people havent heard of him, though he has built so many of the beautiful buildings around Fort in Mumbai. and it is interesting to see how people from different backgrounds and religions lived in harmony in mumbai and made the city what it is today.
DeleteSasoon Docks where we can buy fish is named after him too.
ReplyDelete