From the Unembellished Horizon of Tank Bund – With Love.
- Mithali Garg
- Mar 30
- 4 min read
Updated: May 3
Marking a Journey towards Awareness of Loss: The Loss of a Democratic, Neutral, Open Public Park
The Telangana Martyrs’ Memorial, or Telangana Amaraveerula Stupam, colloquially known as the ‘Deepam Building’, was recently constructed in the heart of Hyderabad, where Gun Park once stood. With a similar promise to serve as a symbolic aid for public healing and remembrance of the losses endured during the 1969 agitation for a separate Telangana state, it is believed to ‘reflect the spirit of the movement and the sacrifices made’.
Context: A Site of Memory in Transition
The Memorial, located on the banks of Hussain Sagar, rises 45m high and stands prominently across from the new Telangana Secretariat. Its commanding presence dominates approximately a third of the eye space when viewed from atop the Birla Mandir or the Telugu Talli Flyover. It undeniably occupies a site of great historical significance for the city.
The recent surge of developments in this area highlights a clear effort to capitalise on and reshape the character of the surrounding urban fabric.
Architecture as is...
The campus of this 54m-long pharaonic stainless steel sculpture spans a 3-acre site, designed with features such as water fountains and symmetrical green landscapes. At its heart stands a striking 26-metre-tall carbon steel blob, symbolising an eternal flame. The polished black granite base is adorned with metaphorical bullet impressions in an effort to evoke a poignant narrative.
“The thing we make, however big or small, always prefigures its next states: how to remake or unmake it, how to rebuild and unbuild it” - Stewart Brand
While acclaimed as the "world’s largest seamless stainless steel structure", its uncanny resemblance to Chicago’s Cloud Gate (or ‘The Bean’) raises questions about originality. Optimistically, it could be viewed as an adaptation, but it struggles to assert its individuality in both form and intent.
What Does Not Strike a Chord?
Design Versus Purpose
The Memorial’s design language undermines its intended purpose. Instead of evoking reverence and reflection among visitors, it leans heavily on misfitting aesthetics, sidelining its role as a vessel for collective remembrance and introspection.
Cultural Disconnect
The architectural, cultural, and contextual value of the city is undervalued by the building: if Hyderabad needs a state-of-the-art facility, it should not be devised out of profound ignorance or wilful disregard for its meaning, mission, and architectural integrity, under the shield of modernisation.
Monumental Overreach
The developments of exhaustive scales in the area reinforce the fraught relationship between architecture and power, and end up strengthening its monumental incapabilities.
Articulation of the Concept: Spirit vs. Form
The concept of the ‘Deepam’ building is undeniably symbolic, representing hope, resilience, and the eternal spirit of the martyrs. However, the translation of this concept into built form seems to prioritise abstraction over contextual sensitivity.
Impact: Public Space or Political Symbol?
One of the most critical aspects of a memorial is its impact on the public realm. The Telangana Martyrs’ Memorial occupies a prime location, but does it function as an inclusive space for public engagement, or does it stand as a political statement disconnected from everyday urban life?
The transformation of Gun Park, a democratic public space, into a memorial raises concerns about the shrinking of public spaces in Indian cities. Can a memorial truly replace a park that once served as a neutral ground for civic expression?
The silver lining to this lies in being hopeful about what is held behind this steel film, as we await the completion of its interiors. In anticipation of architecture panning out to create a means to serve the community and do justice to this resilient site of conscience.
What Then Makes a “Good” Public Memorial?
Memorial architecture is a field of architecture all its own, shaped by a myriad of opinions and emotions. Understanding the creative process behind the spaces in which we publicly grieve, learn, and remember is essential in a world that has experienced incalculable amounts of collective trauma.
To be in the city is to be drawn to its urban public spaces.
It’s important to acknowledge that balancing functionality, respectfulness, and aesthetics when designing memorials can be difficult. When done successfully, though, they become powerful spaces of remembrance. Some memorials have effortlessly struck a perfect balance between poignancy and a profound, lasting impact on the individual, earning them global recognition.
While many renowned examples exist around the world, one significant and moving tribute closer to home is the Dr Kallam Anji Reddy Memorial—an evocative testament to the power of thoughtful and meaningful memorial architecture.
Moving Forward…
Architecture has always mirrored the values of society. As Hyderabad marches towards modernisation, it is crucial to ensure that its built environment resonates with its community. Public spaces must advocate for social cohesion and civic engagement, rooting themselves in their context rather than becoming naïve and ill-fitting isolated icons.
The Telangana Martyrs’ Memorial has the potential to embody this ethos. But for now, it stands as a reminder that architecture must not only aspire to awe but also to serve meaningfully.
A Call for Thoughtful Development
‘While novelty architecture may appeal to some, its sporadic presence across the city—from the Fish Building and the giant diamond to the recently unveiled Lamp—raises questions about its impact. In the pursuit of modernity and symbolism, are Hyderabad’s public spaces losing the architectural essence that gives the city its unique soul?’
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wow...so interesting!!!keeping them coming
Loved this! Need more of it ✨
Beautifully written, Mithali. A thoughtful and poignant reflection on the intersection of memory, architecture, and public space.