Echoes of Memory — Vision

In a luminous tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, the Gandhi Sculpture Garden reveals itself at night as a contemplative landscape shaped by silence, rhythm and restraint. Light becomes a quiet guide, accompanying visitors through a meditative journey where shadow plays an essential role.

Discreet lighting reveals the fine details of the sculptural installations while gently animating the surrounding vegetation. Natural elements appear as suspended memories, emerging softly from the darkness. Each luminous gesture is intentionally minimal, encouraging introspection rather than spectacle.

This project forms an integral part of the lighting master plan designed by Atelier dada for the Mahatma Mandir ensemble. Positioned in alignment with the Parliament complex and the Dandi Kutir, the garden establishes a symbolic and visual continuity between memory, governance and collective history.

Composed of nineteen terraced levels, each hosting a sculpture depicting a key moment in Gandhi’s life, the garden invites visitors into a slow and reflective walk. The lighting concept gently guides the central promenade through softly diffused pedestrian light, forming a continuous luminous thread that links the memorials. Secondary paths are bathed in a calm, subdued glow, while the sculptures themselves emerge as meditative focal points, delicately revealed within the darkness.

Here, light suspends time. Movement slows, perception deepens. To adapt the atmosphere to the garden’s various uses, four distinct lighting scenarios were conceived:

• Weekend illumination
A full lighting level, reinforcing the garden’s presence and welcoming a more vibrant flow of visitors.

• Weekday illumination
A softened ambiance, with reduced light levels supporting quiet, contemplative walks.

• Celebration mode
A specific configuration accentuating central spaces during ceremonies or commemorative events.

• Performance or rest mode
During performances in the agora, or at the close of the day, only totems and safety lighting remain active, ensuring security while preserving nocturnal calm.

Through this sensitive and adaptable approach, the Gandhi Sculpture Garden becomes a place of quiet resonance. A space where light echoes Gandhi’s legacy, allowing reflection, memory and inner stillness to coexist.