“This world is beautiful; save it for our children,” says the carving on the world’s tallest earthen pot which will soon be on public view in the Lalbagh Botanical Gardens. Created by sculptor John Devaraj and Bornfree Arts School, the art work, according to its creators, “is a melting pot of culture.” The pot, which was being constructed for the last two months, is completed at the bonsai garden of Lalbagh. Built in five segments, when put together it will rise up to a height of 26 feet. It will be 15 feet taller than the present Korean pot which is 10 feet tall and currently holds the world record.
Visitors to Lalbagh, including those from foreign countries, have done their bit to build the pot. They have created clay leaves with John and his team and these are being used on the earthen pot. The pot has been embellished with endangered and extinct birds and animals to express caution and demand a respect for nature. The sculpture also has images of the king cobra, elephants and other creatures. The extinct bird, the dodo, also figures on the pot.
“This world is not what we have inherited from out ancestors, but what we borrow from our children. Hence this melting pot of culture represents the culture of nature which is a culture of peace. It symbolizes the tolerant hospitable culture of the people of Bengaluru,” said Mr John. He is now approached by many educational institutions to replicate the earthen pot created inside the Lalbagh. “Building such pots is a community initiative and children can learn religious harmony by taking up such tasks actively. I have been asked to create such pots with community participation in many institutions in city including the IISc,” Mr John added.