NEW MONUMENTS MUST LEARN FROM THE ONES OF PAST

I went to Mahabalipuram last week — a plan 20 years in the making. Apart from the beautiful sights, I saw, first hand, how parts of the original Shore Temple cluster were slowly immersed in the sea. While the temple is from the 7th century, rising sea levels are a still a reality, accelerated by climate change.

Chennai was also abuzz with discussions about the 42 feet high Pen memorial for the late Karunanidhi. I thought the idea was very unusual and inspiring, except for one thing — the location. In order to build it, land will have to be reclaimed, which is itself a challenge along a coastline rapidly being eroded by the sea. This endangers the project because reclaimed land can be wiped away. The endangered Olive Ridley Turtles, fast losing sandy beaches to nest on in other parts of India, still come here. They return generation after generation to the exact same nesting spot, thanks to a geo-magnetic mechanism. They cannot therefore relocate. Should this unique natural heritage be destroyed?

Besides, the area is a rich fishing ground for local fishermen — a community we should appreciate for their knowledge and skills. Are they not the local culture of the area?

Chennai’s ancient temples already demonstrate how the sea can effortless swallow monuments, removing them from our memory. The Pen statue, when it is built, must be safe from these crises. But human engineering is not more powerful than nature. For that reason, the statue must relocate so both nature and memory flourish on for future generations.