The 'wonder' called Taj

The Taj Mahal has slipped - in the recent rankings of the new seven wonders contest. AT finds out the Indian opinion... Taj is India. Ask any foreign tourist, and the marble beauty is sure to be on their travel itinerary. For the Taj Mahal stands for beauty, architecture, heritage and passion like no other structure. And secretly, most Indians too have forever cherished it as a wonder, no less.But now, after having made the final cut in the elimination of the new seven wonders competition, victory still looms large as the most recent rankings reveal that the Taj has slipped.
A long way to go...
The new seven wonders foundation was started by Swiss adventurer Bernard Weber, with a mission to protect mankind's heritage across the globe. Out of the 77 nominees that had earned the most votes, 21 made it to the final stage of the competition. The list includes only those man-made structures built or discovered before the year 2000, that are in an 'acceptable ' state of preservation and have artistic or architectural value . The final seven will be decided by votes from across the globe.
While the January 31, 2007 rankings placed Taj in the top seven, the most recent rankings on May 7, 2007 state it has slipped to the top 10. In earlier reports, Tia Viering, spokesperson of the foundation, is reported to have said: “India is not among the top five or even the top seven nations voting.”
The Indians get going...
While earlier, individual efforts were driven by emotions, now people as well as firms have taken it upon themselves to spread the word. As many hold that 'There are enough Indians who'll be voting' attitude has cost Taj the slip. Alternately, some still question the validity of linking technology with heritage.
Radhika Nair, a travel writer, says that besides voting herself, she has also forwarded the details to all her friends: “I think it deserves to win for it is one of the most beautiful monuments in the world, perfectly symmetrical and well, it's in India.”
Meanwhile, an Indian website has also tied up with the foundation . Arokianathan A, its software architect, says, “Since childhood, we were often led to believe that the Taj Mahal is one of the world's wonders. Thus, to make the fantasy come true, we launched the 'Vote for Taj' campaign. While AR Rahman has composed the anthem, a kiosk has also been put up at the Taj Mahal premises in Agra.”
For reasons other than sentiment...
Travel enthusiasts as well as art and architecture experts maintain that besides emotional attachment , the Taj deserves to be in the final seven for practical and structural reasons. “I have voted for the Taj Mahal. I also feel that Angkor Wat and the Great Wall of China should make it to the list,” says Murli Anthure Menon, a consultant and travel writer.
Noted architect Yatin Pandya, while adding that he's voted for the Taj, says, “Taj deserves to be called a wonder for it's truly aweinspiring , and boasts of great craftsmanship as well as water engineering . A beautiful building is different from a wonder, and that's why Eiffel Tower, Sydney Opera House and Statue of Liberty should not be called wonders. They are just good engineering designs .”
Adman Prahlad Kakar insists that the Taj should be one of the wonders and in the world heritage protection list, “To save it from Mayawati. Since we can't protect it, maybe they can.”
The Indian wonder forever...
Umang Hutheesing, convenor, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), Ahmedabad chapter, says that you can't compare world culture and heritage in rank. “We are a self-confident nation, and the Taj will not cease to be a wonder if the world does not think so.”
Agreed. But there can't be any harm in watching the new seven wonders being announced on 07.07.07. As for the Taj, it was, and will always be, India's postcard for the world outside.