A British-era cemetery with graves dating back to 1850s situated 7km from Nainital on the Bhowali Road, was lying in ruins with more than 200 graves with beautiful cartography and carvings on each of the graves. The cemetery sits calmly amidst a forest of pines trees away from heavy tourist hassle of Nainital. As a conscious public practice, we proposed the tourism department of Nainital district to revive this ruin like cemetery into a public memorial park. The space is designed minimally and humbly without disturbing the graves. It merges within the wilderness of the place. The space is thought in a way to enhance the sensual experiences of the visitor so that one can mourn for the dead as well as celebrate the gift of life. Culminating all, a sensorium was created at this cemetery.
A sculptural extension was added to the existing monumental gate to pay an homage to the souls and mark the entry to the sensorium. A natural stone trail wakes you through the forest and the graves. Along the trail, there are installations made on 5 human senses- vision, touch, taste, smell and hear. We curated stories based on a fictional Himalayan setting and character for each of the 5 human senses which stand at the entry terrace as 5 vertical signages made of 5 different materials. The installations enhance the sensual experience. A mirror cabin camouflages within the forest, a human scale wind chime sways and makes a sound when breeze passes the forest, series of deodar louvers give out strong fragrant smell, visitors can touch and feel the texture of the natural stone and the tree bark, taste garden has apples, malta and buransh which can be plucked. Along the trail, a natural culvert is sculpted to form a seating around which the visitors can relax and meditate. At the end, an installation of colourful reflections which signify the circle of life is made. Such pieces of built heritage and history need to be documented and celebrated for their rich cultural importance.
Photography credits : The Space Tracing Company
Drone photography credits : Nishant Singhani
