The Village in Moonlight

                                      

        

                              

                  

 

                 1.           Before the sunset the hamlet

                 Withdraws from buzzing activities;

                 The birds nestled in cool, dense trees;

                 The village became calm as a rivulet;

                 The bustle of beating wings westward

                 The sound of crickets from the sward.

 

                 2.         The wavy breeze doth gently play

                Peace spread over all, no noisy sounds;

                Under the tree, the elders gather around

                To talk of crops, cattle and rainy days; 

                The smoke of cigars and cheroot uprose

                Through star-studded darkness in repose.

 

              3.           The song of boatman shoots through silence

              The sound of drums and cymbals heard

              In distant hut, a ritual proffered

             To some folk-deity with sweet incense;

             A drunken husband’s shout steals through

            The thickening night as dense as glue. 

 

          4.           Under the thatched roof is heard

          The tinkle of bells and sighs too slow

          From resting cattle in the faint dim glow

          Of fireflies beside the bleating herd;

          The hay- fresh smell doth makes them swoon

          Under the soothing light of the moon.

 

      5.              This pollution-free freshness soothes my mind

        Touched by soft motherly breeze so kind;

        I closed my eyes and merged with night

        In deepest slumber in cool moonlight;

       Even the belated gull’s cry moved me not;

       The village slept in moonlight, a heavenly spot.

               *****************************

   4th February, 2024           Somaseshu Gutala

        

A Note on "The Miracle garden" Dubai

Miracle garden, Dubai

                                  

Floral Archway

                                            

Umbrella Tunnel

                                   

Sunflower garden

                                            

Floral Castle

                                                  

Floating lady

                                               

Life-size A-380 Emirates Flight

                                        

Smurfs Village

                           

Floral elephants

                                                                        

Teddy Bear

         

                                                

Floral tea kettle with a cup

                

The Dubai Miracle Garden is one of the most popular tourist sites in Dubai which people should not miss. Grown over an area of 72,000 square meters, this garden attracts 1.5 million visitors every year with 50 million flowers and 250 million plants shaped in beautiful shapes and patterns showing the talents of florists who created a wonderful floral world amidst a desert region. This garden was launched on Valentine’s Day in 2013. It is the world’s largest natural flower garden. This garden was designed and created by Akar Landscaping and Agricultural Company led by Jordanian businessman Abdel Naser Rahhal. The entire project cost nearly forty million Dirhams or eleven million U.S.dollars. This garden is operated by City Land and Real Estate Development.  Most of the plants are south American flowers like Petunias. Sixty different varieties of flowers like petunias, geraniums, marigolds are seen. This garden is closed during summer, from June to September.

 This garden is watered by Dubai Municipality at night. Nearly two lakh gallons of treated waste water is supplied. There are many star attractions like the heart-shaped archways, grand floral castle, Umbrella tunnel, Smurf Village and characters of Disney Land, all done in floral form. The floral structures are changed every season to attract visitors to get a different experience. This garden has all facilities like Open parking, VIP parking, sitting areas, prayer room, battery cars, retail and commercial kiosks. There is an amphitheater for live performances and theatrical shows.

 This garden won international recognition by winning many prestigious awards. This garden has thirty restaurants, cafes, and kiosks like Starbucks, Gelato, Hardie, and Toyland. It has many toy shops and souvenir stalls. Gift items like souvenirs, mugs, keychains, magnets, post cards, toys, hats and Arabian clothes, accessories, handicraft items are sold in these shops. Adjacent to this garden there is a Butterfly Garden established in 2015. It is spread over 6,673 sq.mts with fifteen thousand free flying butterflies from twenty-six species in ten climate-controlled domes.

In 2013 the Miracle Garden was given Guinness World record for having the largest vertical garden. In April 2015, this garden received the prestigious award “Moselle Award” on the occasion of the International Garden Tourism Awards.  The super Jumbo Jet double-decker life-size model of Air Bus A-380 received the Guinness Book of world records title in 2016.

The floral arches at the entrance with bright colors appear as welcome arches inviting visitors to see a wonder world of flowers shaped in beautiful shapes. The umbrella Tunnel with a ceiling of upside-down umbrellas arranged in rings separated by bands of flowers matching the colors of each umbrella is an attractive spot with a medley of colored chairs for visitors to sit and relax. The umbrellas of various colors like blue, white, red, orange, green, pink, yellow and violet is a very beautiful spectacle. The green plants between the sections of ceiling appear like a rain forest. The floral castle made of red and green with pink and red towers and spires is an enchanted kingdom surrounded by  daisies and sunflowers. The fort with green and red hues is another worth-seeing site with magnificent spires and towers. The 15-meterp-floral sundial is another wondrous sight. The 3-D floral characters like the giant mushrooms, humanoid ants, flowered-powered cars and rose-laden swans surprise visitors very much.

 The huge 12-meter-high floral teddy bear made of green, red, white flowers with a yellow nose is another wonderful floral art. The sunflower area beside the sitting area around the lake park presents relaxing views of fountains and flowers. The floating lady figure dressed in pink and green lies in the air with outstretched arms with her long hair dangling to the ground. She is seen floating above a field of pink and white petunia flowers, as if feeling heavenly bliss.  As per the licensing deal between the Dubai Miracle Garden and the Walt Disney Company, a topiary of Mickey Mouse was unveiled in 2018. Floral figures of other Disney characters like Minni Mouse, Pluto, Donald Duck, Daisy duck, Goofy, Huey, Dewey, and Louie were installed later that year.

Likewise for children, the Smurf Village presents a very comic and amusing world of Smurfs in various postures. Smurfs are small blue creatures who live in mushroom-shaped houses. The depiction of Smurfs world is based on Belgian comics and T.V. Smurf stories. The magical skills and talent of floral artists and topiary artists are seen in shaping plants and flowers in various shapes like floral teddy bear, villas, horse, elephant and pea-cock figures, villas, the floating lady, the tea kettle with a cup, the floral heart tunnel and the floral castle.  

The heart tunnel features a dozen heart-shaped structures made of thousands of flowers in green, red, violet, pink and yellow arches functions as a passage way throughout the garden. The hill-top point of the garden gives a beautiful view of the entire garden. The Miracle Garden is indeed the city’s gift with a message that Nature should be protected, and sustainability of surroundings is the prime need of the whole world.

It is described as a “Little Piece of Eden”, “a floral extravaganza of unmatched proportions”. It is the largest natural garden in the world. It won the Guiness World Record three times. Its Disney Avenue has the biggest and tallest topiary in the world. Its Airbus A-380 is the largest floral installation. It includes the largest butterfly garden in the world.

Paradoxically this garden is grown in the heart of a desert. The Miracle Garden also stands as a good example of the efficient use of water and energy. It also figured in many popular movies. To know the wonders of Nature everyone should visit this garden at least once in a lifetime.

                         *******************************

    29th January, 2024                       Somaseshu Gutala

 

One year gone, still

                  

                                                          

                                               ( I )

            One year gone, still

            Your fond memories fill

            Our bosoms with deep, painful loss;

            Still, we recall your happy smiles

            Your jovial tales, your witty remarks

            Your close intimacy with one and all;

            Like a sparkling flash you vanished

            Leaving a sense of void within;

           We feel as if we lost our prime support

           Who nourished our hopes and mutual rapport. 

                                  ( II )

          One year gone, still

          Your fond memories fill

          Your friends’ bosoms with gratitude;

          Still, they remember your help and wise guidance;

          You expected nothing in return

          A friendly smile enough you felt;

          Though some turned indifferent and cold

          Cordial relations with all you tried to hold; 

                          ( I I I )

          One year gone, still

         Your neighbours feel thy absence;

         Still, they acknowledge your liberal help;

         Your encouraging words that gave them

         A new hope of their bright future.

         With thy wise knowledge and mature outlook

         You helped them a lot to set right their ways

         They ever recall your positive thought and grace.

                                      (I V)

         One year gone still

         We can’t forget your gentle and kind words

         Your wisdom and caring nature

         Your desire for perfection in whatever you tried;

         Never were you proud of your status and rank;

         Never we forget your liberal and helpful deeds

         Never forget though time moves fast;

         Your noble words and kind deeds forever last

         Inspiring our efforts and thoughts

        Time can’t erase your memories from our hearts.

             

                   (Dedicated to my dear brother-in-law)

20th January, 2024.                                    Somaseshu Gutala

                                                  

 

       

 

 

 

        

 

 

A City Tour

 

                                        

                              

                     

                                 

                           

 

                   

       

1.    The guide was a learned person and a friendly one

A polyglot he was with a gentle sense of fun;

He seemed to know the history and stories

Of great rulers and spoke with effortless ease;   

He spoke greatly of kings and their ancestral line

Who were noble, kind-hearted and fine;

They made their country rich and reforms wrought

Without changing basic culture and thought;

 

2.    They owned rich mansions and palaces huge

With crystal pillars inlaid with gems and gold

And year by year their wealth grew manifold;

So many people came there to find jobs and refuge

Obeying rigid rules and hard, working hours

Building luxurious mansions and towers

The kings, though strict, put their wealth to good use;

Noble values and discipline they did infuse.

 

3.    The lovely palaces with royal symbols and turrets fine

The leaping figures of steeds and polished pillars round

We glanced from distance from the palace ground

With so many rooms and terraces in pretty designs

We watched with wonder though not allowed inside;

We learnt a lot about royal glory from our guide;

The lovely creepers and flowers carved with intricate art

With gilded pillars and arches beautified this spot.

 

4.    We travelled through the winding lanes of the old town

Lined with rows of old houses muddy-brown

And most of them deserted like temples old

Left as exhibits for tourists to behold

Their simple structures seemed plain and gross

With faded colors, broken windows and walls.

Like visions in a dream, they take us back to past

When people tended their flocks in the desert vast.

 

5.    The streets flanked by shops and stalls that sold

Costly jewels, gems and diamonds set in gold

Showcased necklaces, girdles and stone-set rings

A sparkling world of wealth with beaded gems on strings.

Various items and spices were neatly arranged in rows

Sweet smelling perfumes of musk, saffron and rose.

Tourists tempted by heaps of saffron and spices sweet

As tokens of their visit bought a few, as vendors greet.

 

6.    Circling the beach grand luxurious hotels seen

A perfect blend of ambiance beside waters blue-green;

Surrounded by palms and lawns grown with superb skill

Five-star hotels and villas with fountains and rills;

Young people swim and glide with vibrant roar

As foaming waves compete caressing the sandy shore;

The spacious villas seem like visions in a dream

A wonder to look at built in unique ways supreme. 

 

7.    The new township with ultramodern designs

With steep skyscrapers illumined bright

In various geometrical designs made a pretty sight

Spurred by new technological innovations shine;

With branded cars plying on roads smooth and wide

A noisy, busy world filled with swelling tide

Of workers from various nations from different fields.

Enriching this rich state to grow with greater speed.

 

8.    Despite its changing modern look the city revealed

Her traditional culture and vision in various fields

Her spacious museums, industries and trade

The harmonious blend of past and present displayed

With wonderful monuments, towers and treasures

A gorgeous city fraught with luxurious pleasures

Kudos to rulers, innovators and workers great

For changing this desert region into a flourishing state.

                  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

17th January, 2024                  Somaseshu Gutala

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ode to Burj Khalifa

     

              

                                  

 

                

Mosque of Samaara

                                     

Trajan's column depicting Roman fighters in Dacian Wars

Carved figures on Marcus Aurelius column

                          

                       

 1.    Thou, King of towers, beside the oil-rich shore

Holding thy bejeweled crown so high

Almost touching the dark star-spangled sky

The glorious man-made structure all adore

As if asserting the mighty power of man

Vying with Nature with his skills and plans;

A surprising monument of wonder thou art

Blending intricate systems and aesthetic art.

Blending hard work and indomitable will

A captivating spectacle of creative thrill.

 

2.    So many thousands’ collective industry and dream

So many billions spent to shape this scheme;

Shaped like a desert flower with a sturdy base

To withstand weather’s unpredictable ways.

Like a Titan majestic revealing man’s desire

To reach unreachable heavenly spires.

Like the mosque of Samaara with exquisite design

With reinforced solid strength you do shine;

Furnished with shops, restaurants, homes and pools

A vertical world with luxuries cosy and cool. 

 

3.    Though not so artistic like Trajan’s Tower

Depicting in details Roman victories and power

Or of Marcus great column with spiral relief

Asserting conquest of northern tribes in brief.

Though not flashy like Eiffel with romantic charm

You transcend all in height and glorious form.

An affluent image of knowledge and power

On this dry desert made a heavenly bower

A true symbol of man’s efforts to make this spot;

A living wonder with all heavenly pleasures brought.

                   ********************

 Mosque of Samaara: A mosque in Samaara, Iraq which was built between 848-851 by the Abassid Caliph. At the time of construction, it was the world's largest mosque (171 ft or 52 meters tall).

Trajan’s Tower: A Triumphal column in Rome, commemorating Trajan’s victory in Dacian (Romanian) wars depicting the scenes of war and daily life of ancient Rome. It was 125ft. tall and was built between 106-113 A.D.

Marcus great Column: A Roman victory column (97 ft tall) depicting the     victory of Marcus Aurelius over the North Germanic tribes. The construction of this column was begun in 176 A.D. and completed in 193 A.D.

Eiffel Tower: A wrought iron Observation and Broadcasting Tower in Paris. It was named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel whose company designed and built the tower from 1887 to 1889. It is 330 meters tall with 81 stories and is the tallest structure in Paris.

                               ***************************

13th January 2023                                     Somaseshu Gutala

 

 

 

 

A Note on Burj Khalifa, Dubai

     

                          

                                 

             

Burj Khalifa is the tallest skyscraper with residential, commercial and scientific uses. The construction of this megalithic and marvelous skyscraper was started on 12^th January 2004 and was officially opened on 4^th January 2010.

 It is eight hundred and twenty-eight meters (2716.5 ft) in height with more than 200 levels and has 163 habitable levels. It gives a panoramic view of Dubai. It has world’s highest elevator situated inside a rod at the top of the building. Of the 163 floors the public can go up to 154^th floor. On the 148^th floor, there is a sky observatory, the world’s highest observation deck at a height of 556 meters or 1823 feet. Business celebrities and film stars (like Shilpa Shetty and Mohan Lal) own properties in Burj Khalifa.

 Burj Khalifa is praised as a “Vertical city” and as “a living wonder.” It has nine hundred residential units (one, two, three and four bed-room flats) from 19 to 108 levels, and nearly ten thousand people can stay there. It has 16,000 bath rooms in flats, offices and public areas. It is three times the height of Eiffel Tower in Paris. Nearly seventeen billion people visit this building every year and 621 million dollars is earned as ticket revenue per year.

EMAAR Properties, the world’s largest real estate company is the master developer of Burj Khalifa. Adrian Smith, Chief Engineer of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill company in Chicago designed this tower. He is also the architect of Sears (Willis) Tower in Chicago. This design was derived from the Islamic architectural design of the great mosque of Samarra in Iraq and from the shape of the desert flower, Hymeno Callisor or spider lily. William Frazier Baker, an American structural engineer planned the unique hexagonal core structure of this tallest skyscraper. Sheik Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ( 7 Sep.1948-13 May 2022), Leader of Abu Dhabi and former President of U.A.E. provided aid in building this structure. As a token of honor and gratitude, this building was named as Burj Khalifa which means “King’s Tower.”

 In this tower are located hotels, restaurants, offices and residences. It has nine hundred residential units, and ten thousand people can stay here. Observation decks for tourists are at 124, 125 and 148 levels. Level 125 shows the special features of Arab art and culture. The visiting hours are from 9.00 a.m. to 11.00 p.m. on weekdays and from 5.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. during weekends. In the evening Burj Khalifa lit with laser lights sparkles with changing colors with a vibrant glow. 

Located at the foot of the Burj Khalifa there is the Dubai Fountain, the world’s tallest fountain. The fountain jets up to 22,000 gallons of water up to a height of 140 meters at a time. This fountain was constructed in 2009 on the 12-acre Burj Khalifa Lake. It illuminates the surroundings with 6,600 lights and 50 colored projectors. This colorful musical fountain works every thirty minutes from 1.00 p.m. to 1.30 p.m. and in the evenings from 6.00 p.m. to 11.00 p.m. daily. On Fridays the fountain works from 1.30 p.m. to 2.00 p.m. only. All shows at the fountain are free of charge.

The famous “Armani Hotel” designed by fashion icon, Georgio Armani, occupies up to eighth floor with suites on 38^th and 39^th levels that is eleven floors.  Adjacent to this tower is seen “Dubai mall”. Burj Khalifa is cleaned four times a year. It takes three months to complete one cleaning cycle.

The modular spiraling Y-shaped plan helps to reduce the wind force on the tower. The telescopic spire is 200 meters long and houses communications equipment. Nearly four thousand tons of structural steel was used in construction of the telescopic spire. The top thirty floors contain electrical sub-stations, water tank pumps, air-handling units which operate the tower. The top four floors are meant for communication systems. The town’s water system supplies 9,46,000 liters of water daily to this tower. Fire safety and speed evacuation measures are taken as precautionary measures. In this tower there are 57 elevators and eight escalators. 

The Dubai Creek Harbor Observation tower of 928 meters height (2,717 ft) is going to be built in Dubai and work is now in progress. It will have 210 floors and will be higher than Burj Khalifa by 100 meters. The Jeddah Tower (3308 ft) 1008 meters high in Saudi Arabia under construction will become the tallest building structure in future. It will be 173 meters or 568 feet taller than the Burj Khalifa (828 meters or 2716 ft).

Burj Khalifa is truly one of the wonderful marvels created by masterminds which displays their talent, art and advanced technology. Burj Khalifa has become the iconic symbol reflecting Dubai's culture, technological progress, modern sophistication, tradition, commercial activism and eco-friendly development.

                                   ***********************

     12th January, 2024                    Somaseshu Gutala