A singular seven-storey brick-and-lime plastered subterranean properly with an extended hall of steps descending by way of the dramatic arches and a Banyan tree standing tall — what was as soon as a lifeline of locals, a stepwell on the Asoj-Savli Street has confronted neglect for a very long time like most constructions of its form.
Popularly referred to as the Asoj Vav (actually which means stepwell), a efficiency right here a couple of week in the past shone a highlight on the heritage of the construction. Vadodara-based visible artist Kakoli Sen, who has been engaged on creating consciousness and advocating the restoration of the stepwells throughout Gujarat, encapsulated the story that wanted to be advised in her November 23 efficiency.
The stepwell is believed to have been constructed by Rabari Aso — from a gaggle of banjaras (wanderers) — over 500 years in the past. Sen weaved a narrative across the rudimentary structure the place the banyan tree provides a component of uniqueness. Gentle, music and dance introduced alive the story of Asoj Vav.
Asoj is one other in her sequence of over a dozen performances at stepwells throughout Gujarat. In Vadodara, Sen has, thus far, organised the visible reveals for stepwells in Navlakhi, Sevasi, Koyali, Hanumant Vav in Bhayli and Asoj, together with the Adalaj stepwell in Ahmedabad. Sen determined to deliver alive the Vavs by way of her tales as an extension of the challenge titled “Soul of the Vav” of the Bangalore-based Centre for Web and Society’s ‘Maps for Change’ challenge.
“As I grew up in Delhi, structure was a part of my canvas as an artist. I used to be drawn to the great thing about stepwells and determined to undertake mapping… Nevertheless it was a challenge the place I now personify the stepwells by way of tales with a view to create consciousness in regards to the magnificent structure that was constructed centuries in the past however is going through neglect. These are the one architectures which are beneath the bottom. We have now over 60 stepwells in Vadodara however most of them are forgotten and should not celebrated sufficient as Rani ki Vav in Patan.”
In Vadodara, Sen has chronicled the story of the magnificent 600-year-old Navlakhi Vav in addition to the Vidyadhar Vav in Sevasi, which proceed to be among the many comparatively higher recognized spots.
Sen says that Navlakhi Vav, which was the primary supply of water through the building of the Lukshmi Vilas Palace and in addition equipped water within the preliminary years, continues to be among the many sources of water provide to the present-day golf course constructed on the palace property.
“Navlakhi is the one remnant of Gurjar rule. It’s positioned within the Lukshmi Vilas Palace compound and is greater than 600 years outdated. The inscription within the Vav mentions Zafar Khan because the Governor of the Province of Gujarat. He assumed his regal title, Muzaffar Shah in 1407-08. A e book ‘Baroda Nagri no Prachin Itihas’ states that on one of many decrease flooring of the Vav is a Brahmi inscription saying Suryaraj Kalchuri, a common of the Gurjar Kingdom, constructed the stepwell when town was referred to as Vatpadra. It’s stated that the Vav was known as Navlakhi as a result of 9 lakh gold cash have been spent to construct it. It was refurbished within the time of Muzaffar Shah…,” she says.
Sen provides that the Navlakhi stepwell is constructed on an L-shaped plan and proceeds with 4 pavilion towers and 4 intermediate supporting frameworks which could be very distinctive. “These should not solely two-dimensional frames however three dimensional networks of vertical and horizontal stone beams. The doorway staircase is about at proper angles to the stepped nook. The proper angle is roofed with a platform and thus continues into a further pavilion, being topped by a small cover within the center…”
The platform of the pavilion is supported by eight pilasters and eight pillars. The pavilion, which is one storey underground, can also be entered by a slender stairway on the western facet. “The pillars and pilasters are of two varieties, yet another easy and plain, just like that within the stepwell of Sevasi, the others are very ornate within the type of a vase with rising scrolls. The entablature within the pavilions and frameworks bear designs of hanging leaves and scroll-patterns at their horizontal beams, “ she says.
The ornamentation of the ceiling inside the primary mandapa is made up of rows of half medallions with flower petals and garland and leaf patterns. The ceiling itself is embellished like an enormous flower saucer. The inscription in Persian language mentions 1405 because the yr of completion of the Navlakhi stepwell.
The Vidyadhar Vav is located in Sevasi village, about six kilometers from Vadodara metropolis. Specified by the east with its entrance within the west, the stepwell has 5 pavilion towers and 5 intermediate supporting frameworks. A spherical parapet wall of about half a metre peak surrounds the stepped hall and the properly. The pavilion towers have 4 plasters and 4 pillars.
The lintels of the pavilion towers are both embellished with rows of elongated leaf sample or flowers in between which garlands are carved. The entablatures of the pillars, that are boarding the center pathway of kuta– a tower like pavilion building in a stepwell; two within the second storey are superbly carved with sculptures depicting a horse led by its rider.
The horses are embellished with bands, tassels and ornaments and so they have one raised leg resting on a wave which is a typical motif on a stone. Some panels depict geese with scrolls hanging from their beaks and elephants.
“A stone masonry on the entrance has a reputation inscribed in Devnagri script. The gate has two tigers carved on the left and two elephants on the precise. Stepwells have been used to retailer rainwater, and in addition turned a supply of legends. Locals say that younger ladies decked in gold have been sacrificed at Sevasi step properly on full moon nights, for prosperity,” Sen says.
For Sen, documenting the stepwells has been a problem in its personal proper. “Individuals who dwell round stepwells right now are unaware in regards to the tales. In lots of locations, locals discourage me from taking over tasks to deliver alive the stepwells because the ruins have was dens for anti-social components… However these are ornate underground constructions which have tales to inform. I really feel that though we have now modernised water provide, the stepwells proceed to carry relevance to regenerate floor water and have to be restored to their glory.”
