The Otterspool Promenade

When I saw this statue at the Otterspool Promenade, Liverpool, UK, I thought it was the statue of Nandi. However, a closer look revealed that it was made by one Mr Dhruva Mistry to commemorate the 1984 International Garden Festival held in Liverpool. The moustache and the highlighted eyes appear to be a later addition of miscreants. Given the Indian antecedents of the sculptor it is clear that his inspiration was our Nandi. The bull sits facing the Mersey river on a 5 mile promenade which is exclusively reserved for walkers/cyclists. As I was staying very close to the promenade I used to walk/cycle daily. On one of the walks I came across dolphins playing in the river. The other company I had was a variety of friendly pet dogs with their polite owners. The name Otterspool came from the fact that otters used to inhabit the area at some point of time. Liverpool is famous for the Beatles and the prominent football club. The ill- fated HMS Titanic, belonging to the White Star Line, was registered in Liverpool and so carried the city's name on her stern. On the darker side, Liverpool was the slave-trading capital of Britain and there is presently a museum dedicated to the theme.

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