Hale Kalyani : Scaled Architectural Model, Kund, Stepped wells of india, Hampi, Royal kund, Trophy Kund, Stepwells of Karnataka

“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.

Hampi, once a thriving capital city of the Vijaynagar Empire with half a million inhabitants, is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. One artifact amongst the many ruins in the royal enclosure is the ‘Pushkarni’ named Hale Kalyani. The perfect square shape of this Pushkarni has the exact same steps on all four sides which can be disorienting from within. But at ground level, there is an open granite aqueduct that transports water from the nearby Tungbhadra River to the Pushkarni. Whereas on the southside is a temple plinth.The Pushkarni is made of green chlorite schist and based on the various markings on the stones one can deduce that they were carved elsewhere and assembled here on-site.

With this scaled model we wish to capture the essence of the mathematical and architectural prowess of the bygone era.

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.

Hale Kalyani (Limited Edition)

Dimensions (WxDxH) : 295 x 156 x 60 mm

Weight : 5.60 kg

Material : Concrete, Brass

Note : The Art Piece is made to order and ships in 2-3 weeks on conformation of order.