Sand art tribute to People's President at Lalbagh

The 202nd Flower Show will be held at the Lalbagh Botanical Garden from August 7 to 16. The two main attractions — the sand sculpture of former president Dr A P J Abdul Kalam and the Floral Bengaluru Palace will surely leave people speechless.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, H S Shivakumar, Director in-charge of the Horticulture department and Chairman of Mysore Horticulture Society, said that the sculpture of Dr Kalam will be created near the Glass House. It is a tribute to him from artists and the department. He was speaking at the announcement of the Independence Day Flower Show, organised by the Horticulture department and Mysore Horticulture Society. It will be held from August 7 to 16, 2015.

Noted Mysuru-based sand artist Gowri M N, who is making the sculpture along with her team of four, said that it will be six feet tall and 10x10 feet wide. With a truck load of fine sand, we will be creating his portrait with the Indian flag as the backdrop, she said.

This is the second time she and her team are participating in the flower show. In 2012, they created the Geethopadesha as a part of the Centenary celebrations in Bonsai Garden, Lalbagh.

Twenty five experts are creating the Floral Bengaluru Palace which will be 45-feet long, 35-feet high and 20-feet wide. It is being created at the cost of Rs 30 lakh with three lakh special Dutch roses. The Glass House will also feature statues of Mysuru kings and animal heads (four elephants, two horses and two deer). Bronze lions at the Mysuru Palace, sepoys, palanquins and the royal throne will also be replicated, said Shivakumar.

A special photo exhibition — Raja Darshana — showcasing rare pictures of Mysuru kings, palace rituals and courts will also be showcased. Hopcoms will be creating a human-sized elephant with different coloured capsicums.

Cubbon Park Deputy Director Mahantesh Murgod clarified that there will not be a full-fledged flower show at Cubbon Park, but a miniature floral exhibition will be held for the first time. Thematic small floral decorations will be created near the Band Stand and the Chamaraja statue.

During the January 2015 flower show, the income and expenditure incurred by the department was Rs 1.24 crore and Rs 1.20 crore, respectively. During the August 2014 flower show, the income and expenditure was Rs 1.94 crore and Rs 1.20 crore, respectively. The number of visitors in August 2014 was 4.24 lakh and this year, they expect five lakh people.

Special night security

DCP (South) Lokesh Kumar said that for the first time, night security will be deployed at Lalbagh. Forty police officials will be on night duty and 300 on the day shift on all days, apart from the DCP, three ACPs and nine police inspectors. We will have 48 CCTV cameras, door frames and hand held metal detectors, he added.

Parking and tickets

Entry will be free for schoolchildren on August 14-15, from 9 am to 5 pm. Tickets for adults are priced at Rs 40 on normal days and Rs 50 on holidays. Tickets for children are priced at Rs 10 on all days. Tickets will be sold from 8.30 am to 6 pm and entry to the Glass House will be closed at 6.30 pm. E-tickets are available at www.lalbaghflowershow.in

No vehicles, including VIP vehicles, will be allowed inside the Lalbagh. Free entry is for school buses.

Visitors will have to park at the Shanthinagar bus stand complex, BBMP multi-storey complex on JC Road or Al-Ameen College Grounds located near Lalbagh Main Gate.