“A vast sheet of water, covered with lotus flowers, amid which thousands of aquatic birds and animals live, at the shores of which bathers washed, surrounded by jungle greenery.”
Louis Rousselet, 1894.
Visually the stepwells have little presence above ground, a low masonry wall or pavilion. These are excavations that often descend down five to seven stories. An encounter with it generates both a sense of surprise and a feeling of utter displacement, descending into the earth has a particularly powerful impact. Once inside, the mind takes in the intelligent configurations of stairs, landings, galleries, interior balconies and underground chambers; the telescoping views, towering pavilions and the powerful dance of light and shadow is absolutely captivating.
Accustomed to looking up at architecture, rarely do we see structures with sublime engineering, craftsmanship and masonry going downwards. These magnificent structures have been an indispensable part of several Indian civilisations. Built by members of the ruling class, wealthy merchants or landowners, these were designed to store and replenish groundwater. During their glory days there would be peacocks dancing on the walls, noises of laughing children playing in abandon by the steps, and singing women as they went to collect water, creating a beautiful sanctum of happiness away from the scorching heat of the tropical landscapes.
Hdden away from the general gaze of a tourist, off the Halol-Pavagadh road is this unassuming Stepwell which is a part of the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park. The Helical Vav is in the shape of a keyhole in plan. A broad flight of stairs enters the circular well from the southern end which later continues in a sinuous curve attached to the wall of the well reaching the water source below.
The curved steps are made using trapezoidal hand cut stones and the rest of the well is exposed burnt bricks and mortar. The sun’s reflection on the water below along with the shadows cast by the curved steps make for an ever-changing performance of light and shadow.
Our scaled model of the Helical Vav aims to present the beauty of this simple yet stunning Stepwell along with the subtle play of light and shadows that unfolds within
Stepwells as a building typology is completely unique to India. As a design studio, we are absolutely captivated by these magnificent subterranean structures that are essentially stages for the orchestra of light and shadow.
We invite you to experience these breath taking structures in miniature form complete with its play of light and shadow.
Helical Vav (Limited Edition)
Dimensions (WxDxH) : 178 x 105 x 128 mm
Weight : 4.7 kg
Material : Concrete
Note : The Art piece is made to order and ships in 2-3 weeks on conformation of order.