BUDGET: 11 crore INR and above (USD1.48 million and above)
PROJECT OVERVIEW
It is an extraordinary son-et-lumière show at the newly inaugurated ‘Vishwas Swaroopam’ (Statue of Belief) as a permanent installation. The show revolves around the themes of ‘Aarambh’ (The Beginning), ‘Shabd Utpatti’ (Origin of the word), etc., that enthral audiences throughout the 20-minute shows. Located atop Ganesh Tekri within the ‘Tat Padam Upvan’ grounds, the 369-foot/112-meter statue is the world’s tallest Shiva idol and also the world’s tallest sitting statue!
Every evening, the statue comes alive with a stunning display of colours, sound, and light, thanks to 24 nos. Barco UDX series projectors emit 40,000 lumens in 4K resolution for an ultra-vivid experience. The projection is a daily event that transforms the night sky, making the statue visible from up to 20 kilometres away.
The narrative brings ancient wisdom to life in a form accessible to all ages. Shri Madan Paliwal Ji envisioned the project, which was executed by Axis Three Dee Studios under the direction of Avijit Samajdar, an internationally acclaimed, award-winning Projection Designer. Dataton’s Watchout system and media servers provided the robust backbone of the project.
WHAT DID THE CLIENT WANT TO ACHIEVE?
The client brief was clear and focused. Shri Madan Paliwal Ji, Chairman of the Miraj Group and a learned scholar with deep knowledge of Sanatani scriptures, envisioned a show at the world’s tallest Shiva statue. His goal was to convey the timeless wisdom and profound knowledge embedded in our culture to every visitor. This wisdom, still relevant today, needed to resonate especially with young visitors, helping them develop a deeper understanding of their roots and culture and fostering pride in the heritage passed down through generations.
Shri Madan Paliwal Ji’s vision required immersive visuals that were harmonious with the spoken word. The imagery had to be grand and larger-than-life yet subtle enough to touch the heart. The storytelling needed to be compelling, gripping the audience’s attention while maintaining a sublime and reflective tone.
SCOPE OF WORK YOUR COMPANY WAS INVOLVED IN
Axis Three Dee Studios was tasked with the comprehensive and technically demanding development of this project and providing an end-to-end solution on a turnkey basis.
The scope included designing a sophisticated technical architecture, developing advanced visualization strategies, creating high-quality imagery and VFX, and selecting optimal surface attributes and colour palettes. Additionally, the project required the precise selection and integration of hardware components, including projectors, projection servers, and projector layouts. This involved selecting multiple lenses for different zones, overcoming surface reflectivity challenges, and positioning projectors to eliminate shadow overlaps. Precision mapping on the highly undulating topography was essential, as was ensuring that all components and content functioned cohesively as a single, seamless experience.
The project demanded robust, end-to-end solutions capable of operating flawlessly 365 days a year. This necessitated meticulous planning and execution to ensure high reliability and performance without operational disruptions. From conceptualization to implementation, every aspect was engineered with precision to meet stringent requirements, guaranteeing a flawless viewing experience for the audience every day.
WHAT KEY CHALLENGES WERE FACED?
1. The monument’s sheer size, at 369 feet (112 meters) in height, posed a significant challenge.
2. The highly uneven topography, with surface depth variations for each projection canvas exceeding 30 feet in some areas, further complicated the task.
3. The surface paint, being highly reflective, altered colours to produce an entirely different spectrum of shades, requiring precise calibration.
4. The statue’s design introduced inevitable challenges, with shadows forming at various points, complicating the projection process.
5. The statue’s location atop Ganesh Tekri necessitated steep projection angles, especially from the torso to the head. This required adjustments to avoid light falling tangentially to the surface and to prevent keystoning as the angle steepened.
6. Being an outdoor structure, all solutions had to account for Nathdwara’s extreme temperatures, ensuring equipment could operate flawlessly 365 days a year. Equipment housing had to provide suitable conditions to withstand the varying climates.
7. Audio distribution was also challenging, as the viewing area spanned the entire breadth of the park. Clear, lag-free audio needed to be delivered to every area without glitches.
HOW WERE THOSE CHALLENGES RESOLVED?
Monument Size: The 369-foot structure required precise calculations for projection and blending zones to ensure uniform brightness. To create a seamless visual canvas, we used 24 Barco UDX projectors, each with 40,000 lumens.
Uneven Topography: The irregular surface required meticulous lens calculations. Multiple lens combinations formed a uniform projection surface across varying depths. The content was seeded to avoid distortions on a CG UV map instead of PoV, with live geometric corrections onsite.
Reflective Surface Paint: The paint’s reflectivity altered colours significantly. Turquoise turned white, and pink turned green. We developed a new colour palette, each carefully coded for specific shades. A 1:53 scale replica of the statue, painted identically, was used for colour testing.
Shadow Management: The statue’s design caused shadow formation. To eliminate shadows in the chest area, projectors were strategically placed at three locations, including two within the statue’s folded legs.
Projection Angles: We established three levels of projection heights to reduce angle steepness.
Climate Control & Audio Distribution: Special Climate-controlled Projection Towers were created. Audio systems are connected by Dante protocol using optical fibres.
HOW HAS YOUR WORK HELPED THE CLIENT?
The Vishwas Swaroopam Projection Mapping at Tatpadam Upvan has become a major visitor attraction, drawing between 2,500 and 5,000 visitors daily and over 10,000 during festivals. Despite the show starting at 8 PM, audiences eagerly wait to experience it.
This show has emerged as a primary attraction, significantly boosting visitor numbers. The Chairman’s vision of conveying timeless cultural messages has been widely appreciated, as evidenced by the numerous positive responses across social media platforms.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF ABOUT THE PROJECT?
At Axis Three Dee Studios, we take immense pride in this project. Despite its numerous challenges, we have triumphed through the proper implementation of technology, experience, teamwork, and coordination. This endeavour exemplifies how obstacles can be surmounted with diligent processes and unwavering dedication.
Our greatest reward comes when the audience erupts in spontaneous joy and delight as they witness the breathtaking audiovisual display on this monumental canvas. Seeing them fully immersed in those 20 minutes daily encapsulates our efforts, making it a truly satisfying and proud achievement for us all.
