Saaaaachin..... Sachin........ The entire stadium, homes, and minds would chant when Sachin Tendulkar walked the field. 1989 his debut against Pakistan, seemed so unreal to me that a 16-year-old (about my age) could represent India and face a fierce Pakistani pace attack. It was nothing less than a divine act. This little Master, Master Blaster or God of Cricket ruled our hearts and minds from 1989-2013. There was a time when we would watch only for him, and if he got out, our interest and match would be lost. In mid-Dec 2013, I got a call from Network18 inviting me to design an installation to celebrate his career. It was a huge and exciting opportunity. Just imagine the number of butterflies in my stomach. Network 18 with Bandra West Residence Association had identified a location on the Carter road promenade for the local boy. Sachin's Kashmir willow on a grand scale to capture its true weight, which connected millions of hearts across India with each shot. The core idea was to make the installation timeless and iconic, just like the little master. We decided to sculpt his 'magic wand' and named it Bat of Honour. The bat is set at an angle to provide a fun illusion that the fan is holding Sachin's Bat. We had portrayed the most significant driving force behind Sachin's successful cricket career, India. Hence, a slice through the bat reveals the core in blue, the team he played for 24 years. The top surface held his signature, and the handle, the tricolour. The end of the handle also had Sachin's face engraved, so when one looks into the mirror-finished side, he sees Sachin in himself. The 'Bat of honour' weighed about 2 tons and stood tall, reaching 22 feet, making it the giant bat ever made in stainless steel. Blending with the environment, the setting sun will appear like a ball with this giant bat. The floor beneath the Bat of Honour has the etched pattern of the wagon wheel from his record of 200 runs against South Africa. Honestly, it was not a project; it was a purpose. I See Desi. I See Design. #sachintendulkar #batofhonour #cricketlover #cricket #design #indiandesigner #installation #publicspace #bcci #icc #iseedesi #iseedesign https://www.instagram.com/p/Ckpbv7uSBxZ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
