Geometry That Binds

Raj Ghat, New Delhi, India. It carries a burden that cannot be expressed with words. So, I will not attempt that here. Enveloping that grievous wound is majesty. Of course, the eternal flame that marks the site of the reverent cremation. A marble slab that is adorned with flower garlands. A sprawling designed, and manicured lawn that exudes peace onto itself. There is an elevated walkway, a square, from which the samadhi can be seen. And a path leading up to each side of this walkway.

The red clay paths, the grass green, the trees well-tended. Then there is the surrounding area that includes Veer Bhumi, Shakti Sthal, Shantivan, Kisan Ghat, and Vijay Ghat.  All next to each other, as they represent the individuals who were next to each other in real life. Step back and take stock of what this entire collective shows us.

There is beauty mingling with pain. There is nature mingling with the man-made. Geometry that binds the mingling. There is nothing cramped here, nothing hurried. Even the flower beds, of all shapes and sizes. With different types of flowers that bloom in season. Some beds that essentially ribbon their way in boxed hedges.

There is beauty here. There is gravitas. There is a design language that supports without taking away from the visitor’s moment. The colors weave through naturally to further highlight a moment that was, and the moment that is.