Notre Dame fire: Indians reminisce about the historical cathedral

While some were nostalgic, there were others who turned emotional to see it burn

France Notre Dame Fire Notre Dame cathedral as seen from the top of the Montparnasse tower on Tuesday after the fire | AP

The world watched in horror as flames licked up the centuries-old turrets and spires of the famed Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, one of the most recognisable landmarks in the world. The outpouring of grief was instant, and immense. And surprisingly, the sense of pain and loss was immediate amongst Indians, too.

Right in the middle of the rough and tumble of a hotly contested national elections and vexed by ideological questions of what it is to be truly 'national', urban Indians paused for a moment to reflect on the tragedy that befell what one writer called 'the pre-eminent symbol of (western) cultural consciousness'. So much that the French ambassador to India Alexandre Ziegler said on Tuesday that he was "deeply moved" by the emotional outpouring of the people of India in the wake of the tragedy.

"Deeply moved by the outpouring of messages sent from all over India after the fire at #NotreDame de Paris. It's also in such times that one can gauge the value of friendship. Thank you India!" he tweeted. 

Indians indeed took to social media to express their pain at the wanton destruction of this world heritage site, which some equated to the destruction of the Bamyan buddhas in Afghanistan in 2001. This ranged from celebrities to political entities and ordinary citizens. “The blaze looks terrible,” tweeted National Conference leader Omar Abdullah. 

The main opposition Congress also went public, saying it hoped there were no casualties and the cathedral could be salvaged (and promptly got trolled).

'Devastated' commented actor Arjun Kapoor, while Raveena Tandon said it was a “horrible loss to history and ancient heritage".

notre-dame-prasannan The intricate carvings and sculptures at at the Notre Dame. Joan of Arc statue at the cathedral [centre] | R. Prasannan

But more surprising was the outpouring of sadness among ordinary Indians across Facebook, Twitter and even Instagram, as user after user posted either news photos of the blaze, or their #throwback pictures to when they visited the the iconic church, located on a narrow island on the Seine river in downtown Paris. Notre Dame, along with the Louvre museum and the Eiffel Tower heads the list of must-see attractions in the city of love, the world's most visited tourist destination.

“We, the people of republic of India, are with you. I know your emotions on this iconic symbol. Rebuild the material structure, because you are known for building equality," Twitter user Ganesan Ambedkar wrote to the French people.

Others also expressed hope. "The 850 years of Notre Dame history teach us to rebuild stronger and we will. - love from India," Gautam Damodaran, another user, tweeted.

Some got truly emotional. Fashion designer-turned-academic Varun Rana reminisced on Instagram how the Notre Dame bowled him over when he visited it first more than 10 years ago: “I knelt and I wept at the beauty the hand of man had wrought 800 years ago...and I wept to be in the presence of the glory of God.” Then, referring to the eternal lovers which made the place, and the book The Hunchback of Notre Dame world famous, he continues, “Today, that soaring spire is gone, toppled in a flame less hotter than the one that burned in Quasimodo's mute heart for Esmeralda. The rose window has glowed for the last time.”

Media entrepreneur Sukumaran Mani reminisced his days in Paris. “While living in Paris, I can't count the number of times I have walked by it....and how happy and lucky I would feel at the sight of it. Sad.”

Delhi-native Pratyush Sarup perhaps summed up the Indian outpouring of emotions best. “Certain buildings and structures truly reflect man's place in time. This is one of them. Add to that obvious beauty, the mythology and (all the) hopes, prayers and fears (which) Notre Dame has given refuge to,” he wrote.