CHARIOT OF THE SUN Architecture, Myth & Music — An Evening to Remember ThoughtLoom by Palam Silks

Mar 26, 2026

CHARIOT OF THE SUN Architecture, Myth & Music — An Evening to Remember ThoughtLoom by Palam Silks
CHARIOT OF THE SUN Architecture, Myth & Music — An Evening to Remember ThoughtLoom by Palam Silks
CHARIOT OF THE SUN Architecture, Myth & Music — An Evening to Remember ThoughtLoom by Palam Silks
CHARIOT OF THE SUN Architecture, Myth & Music — An Evening to Remember ThoughtLoom by Palam Silks
CHARIOT OF THE SUN Architecture, Myth & Music — An Evening to Remember ThoughtLoom by Palam Silks

Chennai's cultural circuit bore witness to a deeply enriching evening, as ThoughtLoom - the cultural initiative of Palam Silks - hosted 'Chariot of the Sun', a captivating exploration of the architectural grandeur, layered mythology, and enduring mysteries of the Konark Sun Temple. Held at the ThoughtLoom space on Oliver Road, Mylapore, the event drew an audience of heritage enthusiasts, academics, and curious minds alike.

An Evening Opened in Melody

The programme commenced at 3:30 PM with a soulful classical music performance by Ms. Vaishnave Lakshminarayan and her ensemble, whose evocative renditions set a contemplative and immersive mood, transporting the audience to the spirit of Odisha's sacred shores.

 

The Indiana Jones Moment at Konark — Sri Mohan Ramanathan Takes the Stage

The session's centrepiece was a masterclass by Sri Mohan Ramanathan, Managing Director of Advanced Construction Technologies (P) Ltd. (ACT), Chennai. Widely recognised as the 'Demolition Man of India', Ramanathan brought four decades of hands-on engineering experience and a storyteller's gift to the subject, framing his talk with what he described as the 'Indiana Jones Moment' at Konark, a reference to the drama, discovery, and detective work that has characterised the temple's ongoing story.

His presentation swept the audience across centuries — from the temple's mythological origins and its place among India's UNESCO World Heritage monuments, through the dramatic milestones of its 13th century construction, the disruptions of the 17th and 18th centuries, and the critical interventions of the 20th century right up to the present day. He traced painstaking restoration timelines decade by decade, unravelled the local folklore and enduring mysteries surrounding the temple's legendary magnetic stone, examined the natural and human forces believed to have caused its partial ruin, and shed unflinching light on colonial-era restoration efforts - their methods, motivations, and the fateful decision to seal the sanctum that continues to define the temple's story today. Ramanathan's narrative wove together structural engineering, archaeological evidence, and folklore with rare authority, leaving the audience with a renewed sense of awe for one of India's most celebrated monuments.

The session was followed by a lively and extended Q&A, where audience members - clearly moved and curious - posed questions ranging from the engineering mechanics of the temple's chariot-wheel design to the politics of colonial restoration. The evening proved to be as much a community dialogue as it was a lecture, with several attendees sharing their own connections to Odisha and Indian heritage.

'We came expecting a talk. We left with discoveries,' remarked one attendee, reflecting a sentiment echoed widely across the room. The depth of knowledge shared and the engaging manner of its delivery left participants enriched and eager to revisit or plan a visit to Konark.