More than 60 Kolkatans gathered in the gardens and galleries of Victoria Memorial Hall on May 18 to celebrate International Museum Day. The iconic monument organised a tour that explored the symphony of its architectural styles, juxtaposed with stories behind its construction
All photographs by Soumyajit DeyBuilt in the memory of the then Empress of India, Queen Victoria, Lord Curzon wanted a structure that was imperial in nature, while drawing inspiration from Romans, Greeks and Italians. Victoria Memorial was such a melting pot of styles that it also has influences from Islamic and Rajput architecture
Originally, Curzon wanted Victoria Memorial’s marble to be sourced from Pentelikon, Greece but because of logistical issues Makrana marble from Rajasthan, which is the same marble used in the Taj Mahal, was finally used. Incidentally, the marble used in Victoria Memorial could fill a 27-km long goods train