The Musical fountain of Bangalore

There was a time when Bangalore was full of beautiful fountains. Though these were small, they were surrounded by gardens and during night they presented a beautiful sight.

Many such small fountains were located amidst traffic junctions. These green turfs soon vanished, a victim to Bangalore’s rapid urbanisation and a time came when the fountain virtually vanished from Bangalore.

However, better sense prevailed upon the city fathers and they made a come back. Today, the Ambedkar Veedhi in front of  Visveshvaraiah Towers has a fountain on the road divider. There is also a fountain in Cubbon Park besides the Secretariat Club and at Gopala Gowda Circle.
There are fountains in Lalbagh too and the one near the flower clock is a treat for children.

However, these fountains are not all that artistically designed. One of the best fountains is located at the Indira Gandhi park which is located just across the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium on T Chowdiah Road.

The fountain, called the Indira Gandhi fountain, is based on multimedia technology and  the Hong Kong firm which constructed it says this is technically the most advanced fountain of its kind in India.

The B N A Technology Consulting Ltd Created, Hong Kong, constructed the fountain. This is popularly known as the musical fountain.

It has a hydraulic system for generating dance movements and a pumping device to  recycle the water.

The musical fountain is open to the public and the musical flow of water is best seen and enjoyed during the sound and light shows in the evenings. It is located in a 17 acre park, which is maintained by the Horticulture Department.

The entrance to the park boats of a railway locomotive.

The fountain has 1,000 nozzles which throws up water. It has been programmed to contain 15 formations.

The whole structure is an artistic combinations of fountains on a bed area of 30 meters by 10 meters. While the water in the fountain cascades musically, a wide screen behind shows a multimedia reflection of the dancing waters.

The beginning and concluding portions of the sound and light show have patriotic songs like the “Vande Matharam” and “Saare Jehan se Achcha” being aired even as the screen depicts some breathtaking visuals of tourist spots in Karnataka. These visuals are interspersed with Kannada songs like “Sirigannadam Galge” and “Jogada siri Belakinalli” along with a few Hindi film songs.

The linear patterns made by the fountain are called Peacock Tail (Dynamic), Spinners (Dynamic), Organic Pipe, Cross streams, Clapping Hands (Dynamic), Waltzing Fountain (Dynamic), Water curtain (Dynamic) and mist.

The square grid patterns are Wedding cake, Cross Arm, Diagonal Arm, Ping Pong and

High Jet (central). In all, 100 lights are used and synchronized with the music.

The lights are categorized into five colours and arranged to illuminate a particular pattern.

The areas around the musical fountain has a seating capacity of  800 people.

The area surrounding the fountain is well landscaped  with trees, shrubs and creepers. A rosary, rockery and lawns  beautify the area. Some of the species of trees here are  Ficus sp. Cypress, Eucalyptus, Peltophorums, Poinciana regia, Lagerstroemia flos-reginae and Silver Oaks.

Shrubs that I could identify are Mussaenda rosea, Mussaenda phillipica, Murraya exotica, Euphorbia leucocephala, Bottle brush - callistemon sp., Duranta sp., Thuja compacta, Euphorbia - Flaming sphere, Crotons , Agave americana, Yucca sp. Some of the  creepers include Jacquementia violacea, Bougainvillea sp., Bignonia venusta and  Passion flowers - Passiflora edulis.

An additional attraction is the laser show.

There are two shows each day and each show lasts for 30 minutes. The musical fountain is close on Mondays and second Tuesdays but open all other days. The shows are at 7 p.m., and 8 p.m.

Another attraction in the park is the National War Memorial. The construction of the memorial had generated huge controversy.

There is enough parking space for both two-wheelers and four wheelers.

If you are taking a bus to the park, get down at GPO Circle if you are coming from Bangalore south or at Basaveshwara Circle or Race Course Road and walk across to the park. The entry tickets are reasonably priced.

If you are a tourist, keep the fountain towards the end of your tour. Take in the Vidhana Soudha, High Court, GPO building, Planetarium, Race Course and Cubbon Park before making the fountain your last stop.