Indian Monument Restoration and Protection thread

[kronik]

Hey everyone, I am taking the liberty of creating a new thread here, tentatively titled "The Indian Monument Restoration and Protection thread". I hope it is cool with the admins. You can move it or delete it too if you wish.

We are all aware of the sad state most of our priceless monuments are in, many are crumbling from lack of care and encroachments, and it was my thought to chronicle news and discussions on their protection.

I thought of this thread when i was looking to post the news on the demolition of encroachments in the Jama Masjid, Delhi area.

Delhi: Encroachments in Jama Masjid area demolished

Bulldozers rummaged through illegal constructions around the historic Jama Masjid on Tuesday as the municipal authorities carried out an anti-encroachment drive in the area amidst tight security.

Altogether 221 of the 319 illegal structures were turned into rubble by evening in the drive undertaken on the directions of Delhi High Court.

[kronik]

Mysore palace at risk?

While the construction of a gallery for seating visitors for witnessing the light and sound programme in front of the palace has already whipped up a controversy, one more issue raised its head today with Prof P V Nanjaraja Urs, a former professor of the Mysore University and award winning film producer, expressing concern over the damage being done to the magnificent Palace Durbar Hall.

be mindful of the bad grammar. That has got to the worst newsreport I have read at Business Standard.

[Hindustani]

From This.......



To This........

[kronik]

wait!! is that for real?? how did that happen!??!

[Hindustani]

Originally Posted by kronik

wait!! is that for real?? how did that happen!??!

Kronik.................yes. believe it or not. Jama Mosque, Lucknow is fully restored & renovated to old glory. Here is another Lucknow mosque thats currently undergoing "restoration".

[kronik]

Praise the Lord! Our very own Ulta Pradesh. *sniff*

I think its time to dig deeper and see whats going on in the nawabi city.

[Hindustani]

Originally Posted by kronik

Praise the Lord! Our very own Ulta Pradesh. *sniff*

I think its time to dig deeper and see whats going on in the nawabi city.

Its hard to find anything on Lucknow development. You really have to dig deep.

[kronik]

ASI to draw up monument map

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is planning a heritage map for the country, logging in unprotected monuments and antiquities to curb trafficking and ensure they are not neglected.

The Rs 90-crore project, National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities, proposes a locational analysis that would include not only the protected monuments but thousands of others which according to the project document are ‘‘unprotected or in utter state of neglect’’. As of now, only 3,659 built heritage sites are protected by the ASI; about 3,500 are conserved by the states.

Each site will be documented with drawings, photographs, satellite imagery and aerial photography to place the cultural heritage in a chronological order according to a standardised procedure of mapping. The data will be compiled from both published and unpublished literature.

The ASI had, earlier, got approval from the Planning Commission for setting up two projects—one on monuments and another on antiquities at a higher outlay of Rs 400 crore. For the mapping though, the outlay has been been scaled down to Rs 90 crore.

Besides mapping monuments, the project will draw up an inventory of the possessions with state museums, heritage in malkhanas of panchayats, confiscated by the Customs, income tax, CBI or police stations, and those housed in private museums and collections. A database generated out of such an inventory is expected to provide ‘‘the most effective tool in preventing illegal trade in antiquities’’.

[kronik]

CCTVs to be installed at the Taj for added security

In a bid to ensure greater security for the Taj Mahal, closed circuit cameras will be installed at 31 points around the 17th century Mughal monument, the Archeological Survey of India has said.

Of the 31 cameras, 26 would be for closed circuit TV, while five would be speed dome cameras, the ASI said.

They would be installed at the eastern, western and southern gates of the heritage structure as well as at the main gateway to the monument. The camera control room would be at the eastern gate, sources said.

The ASI had initially objected to the cameras, but later agreed to their installation with the clause that no cameras would be fitted on to the main structure.

[kronik]

British, French experts to conserve Srirangapatna heritage structures

Karnataka Heritage Commissioner K R Ramakrishna has said British and French experts have come forward to conserve heritage structures at Srirangapatna, near Mysore.

Leading car manufacturer Mercedes had also come forward to fund the project and talks were still in the preliminary stage, he added.

Ramakrishna said work on documentation of heritage buildings in Mysore and Srirangapatna would be completed by March next. A draft regulation on heritage conservation would be submitted to the state government by March 2006.

Referring to heritage funds, he said there were plans to give income tax rebate for such funds. In all, 139 buildings have been identified in Mysore under the heritage list, he added.

[Sridhar]

http://us.rediff.com/news/2005/dec/0...q=np&file=.htm

Mysore palace to be developed as folklore museum

The Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion, an architectural marvel in this city of palaces, will get a new lease of life when the Mysore University develops it into a unique complex showcasing a folklore museum, evolution and development of the varsity and the contribution of the Wadiyars of Mysore to art and culture.

...
...

The magnificent structure, which was in a dilapidated state, was restored to its original grandeur five years ago with a funding of Rs 1.17 crore from the Infosys Foundation.

...
...

It has more than 120 rooms, of which over 90 are living rooms and the massive kalyana mantapa (marriage hall) was the cynosure of all eyes. There is also a massive double-storeyed dancing hall covered with glass and embellished with teak flooring without using a single nail. Rows of pillars on the sides provided entry to the living rooms adjoining the hall and the coloured glass ceiling add to its glory.

The palace is the best example for wooden architecture in south India, especially Karnataka, and would soon become another must see for tourists.

[Bombay Boy]

AN ARABIAN NIGHTS FANTASIA: The exquisite interiors of the Bhau Daji Lad Museum.

MUMBAI: Mumbai's Bhau Daji Lad Museum, formerly known as the Victoria & Albert Museum, has been honoured with an Award of Excellence given by UNESCO under its Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Culture Heritage Conservation programme, 2005. This honour represents a signal recognition of the efforts that have been under way, during the last 10 years, to restore this cultural monument to its former glory after a period of eclipse.

Coincidentally, this year marks the 150th anniversary of the museum's foundation. The Bhau Daji Lad is Mumbai's oldest museum and one of the finest embodiments of the Renaissance Revival style that produced many architectural gems in western India during the 19th century.

Originally established as a treasure house of the decorative and industrial arts in 1855, the museum was presided over for many years by the prominent art historian and curator, Sir George Birdwood.

By a curious paradox, the Orientalist Birdwood was viscerally opposed to India's high classical and courtly arts of sculpture and painting, but devoted himself to India's arts of ornamentation, detail and texture. He produced, among other works of scholarship, a monumental catalogue of Indian textiles.

The museum, which is situated close to the city zoo in central Mumbai, comes under the jurisdiction of Municipal Corporation. This has long been its bane: it lay in neglect for many decades until 1996, when a combination of forces began the process of restoring it to its former glory as a vital node in the cultural life of the metropolis.

In that year, the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) approached the Corporation with a proposal to resurrect the institution, and to set up a conservation laboratory. After a considerable period of negotiation and discussion, the Corporation made the path-breaking decision to collaborate with INTACH and with the Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation, which agreed to make an initial grant of Rs 1.5 crores for the project, to restore the fortunes of the museum.

In 2004, the Bajaj Foundation raised its contribution to Rs. 2 crores and promised an additional Rs. 3 crores for the establishment of a new arts centre in the museum precincts; the Corporation has matched this grant with a corpus fund of Rs. 5 crores.

With support from forward-looking bureaucrats at the Corporation, an INTACH team of historians and conservation specialists, led by Tasneem Mehta and Vikas Dilawari, has transformed the shabby building to its original contours.

The exquisite Palladian columns and the gilded balustrades and richly painted ceiling suggest the Victorian version of an Arabian Nights fantasia. The Minton floors have been rescued from beneath layers of dust and grit.

Ms. Mehta has curated the permanent display of the museum, including artefacts drawn from various regions and styles, as well as dioramas and models documenting the everyday life of colonial Mumbai.

Mr. Dilawari supervised the restoration, emphasising the importance of maintaining fidelity to the original techniques and materials used by the 19th-century creators of this magical edifice.

The museum is also working out a Memorandum of Understanding with its institutional twin, the

Victoria & Albert Museum, London, which will allow for an exchange of experts and exhibitions, and also pave the way for a training programme in London for the Bhau Daji Lad's curators.

[Hindustani]

Heritage lost

Kavitha Sreekumar
[ Thursday, December 08, 2005 09:45:16 pm TIMES NEWS NETWORK ]

MCH romps on with road widening on the Charminar-Falaknuma road without regard to the destruction that it is leaving in its wake

Many structures that stand testament to the history of the city along the Charminar-Falaknuma road are soon going to be rubble.

As the MCH is on its way to destroying all the old buildings that come in the way of its widening plans, Hyderabad Times takes a look at what conservationists and cultural enthusiasts have to say.

Says conservation architect Vasantha Shobha, "The area is a gold mine and has so far been neglected historically and architecturally. The list that has been published by the HUDA (Hyderabad Urban Development Authority) is incomplete.

It would take about six months to one year to identify the buildings and determine ways in which they can be preserved.'

Noted historian and former vice chairman of HUDA, VK Bawa, adds, "There are major monuments like the Aliabad Sarai that were converted into a complex where people could come to relax and understand the historical and cultural importance of the place."

According to reports, about 208 structures have been identified for removal, of which about 45 have already been pulled down.
Forum for Better Hyderabad made a representation to the MCH Commissioner listing buildings that are to be excluded from the road widening process.

Says M Vedakumar of the forum, "Our representation includes a list of 17 structures, like Aliabad Sarai, that are on HUDA's list of protected buildings. We have requested the MCH to grade buildings with the help of a heritage conservation committee before going ahead with the widening process."

Adds Bawa, "The area has to be looked at as one of the most important tourism sites in the city as well as in South India.

From a tourism point of view also, it is very important to save the area."However, tourism authorities have been in no way consulted for widening.

Chips in Sabyasachi Ghosh, director of the tourism department, "The role of the tourism department is to provide better tourism facilities in the place.

We are sure that the MCH has taken all aspects into consideration about the process of road widening."


Concludes Anuradha Reddy, president of Society of Preservation of Environment and Quality of Life (SPEQL), and photographer of heritage monuments, 'I just took a group to countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, Spain and Portugal where the streets of historical importance have been preserved as they were.

Road widening through such areas is something that they have never considered. Why are the authorities so insensitive to the surroundings here?"

hyderabadtimes@indiatimes.com

[WillyWick]

Encroachments near heritage sites to go


http://www.hindu.com/2005/12/22/stor...2209090500.htm

[kronik]

Now, roads to replace heritage island

In a city that is fast developing, Nanavat remains stuck in time, an island that preserves heritage structures amidst a brick, concrete and steel jungle.

But no more — bulldozers will soon bring raze to the ground about 200 intricately carved houses, built with teak brought from Burma (now Myanmar) about two centuries ago, to facilitate a roadwidening project.

Even as Gujarat kicks off 'Year of Tourism-2006', the Surat Municipal Corporation is going ahead with its plan to demolish the diamond city’s oldest 'pol' where, according folklore, Shivaji had buried wealth plundered from the area during his raids here.

[merijanpakistan]

Hi,

This is a great thread. I love it... I think history of india must be preserved! This is vital... because Hind is a 5000-years old civilization. We are loosing that because of over-population and construction in cities and towns.

I am glad indian government is serious about preserving atleast some of these sites.

Peace.

[kronik]

Nizamuddin heritage in for big revival

There's good news for heritage lovers. Three years after restoring the gardens of Humayun's Tomb and its water channels to their pristine glory, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) has proposed to rejuvenate the historic area of Nizamuddin.

Disclosing this, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) director-general C Babu Rajeev told Times City that the Aga Khan had expressed a desire to take up some other monuments for a socio-cultural (total) restoration when he was in Delhi last year for the architecture award ceremony at Humayun's Tomb.

"Some monuments like the Charminar, Golconda Fort and structures in Agra were suggested. Now the AKTC has got back saying it would want to take up a project in Nizamuddin.

This project would be taken up as a joint project of the AKTC and the National Culture Fund. The selected area has a large number of impressive monuments that require immediate attention.

These include the dargah, barakhamba, cahusanthkhamba, Urs Mahal and tombs of Amir Khusro and Mirza Jahangir and the Saint.

This part of Nizamuddin is very crowded and a large number of urchins have virtually taken over the place. Now with the AKTC proposing to improve both the monuments and the general quality of life, this place may get the environs it deserves.

[WillyWick]

Ancient temple to be renovated

COIMBATORE: Sri Venkatachalapathi Narpani Mandram, Thirumangalakudi, Thanjavur district, is planning to renovate the 900-year-old Sri Kalyanaperumal Temple at Thirumangalakudi and perform the kumbabhishekam at an estimated cost of Rs.10 lakhs, with donations from the public.

The temple, also known as Panchamangala Kshetram, is situated near Sooriyanarkoil, on the north bank of the Cauvery.

Munificent members of the public may send in their donations to P Imayavaramban, Joint Secretary, Sri Venkatachalapathi Narpani Mandram, Thirumangalakudi, Thiruvidaimarudur Post, Thanjavur district.

http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems...%20Nadu&Page=T

[kronik]

Pushkar lake to get sanitised

Pushkar, the famous Hindu pilgrimage centre near here, is all set for a facelift with the removal of encroachments around the holy lake.

"Pushkar clean operation" was launched last week and 26 hotels and restaurants on bank of lake have been identified for removal, official sources said here today.

The tourism department has also given Rs. 3.47 crore to state tourism department for various projects to be completed in Pushkar in the next few months.

Some hotels running without licence and vacant rooms of some hotels have been sealed by Pushkar municipal committee under the provision that no hotel or restaurant can function within 100 metres of the holy lake.

Of the money provided by the Centre, the largest amount of Rs 96 lakh earmarked for the lake development and Rs. 56 lakh for construction of amenities at the main bathing ghats.

Rs 25 lakh have been earmarked for modernisation of the Lord Brahma Temple, the only temple dedicated to the diety in the world.

[DeMorgan]

Hello,

Having been through northern India 30 years ago and having been amazed at the sheer number of beautiful old buildings, forts etc. I do hope that some of these will be looked after, not just the few and most important sites like the major mosques.

I was pleased to find by chance that the Beebe of Arrakal's house has been restored. This must surely be a good precedent for other projects.

[Img]www.kannurtourism.org/plc_4.jpg[/IMG]

Arakkal Palace :
Its about 2 kms. from Kannur Town, steeped in History; it was the Beebi (Queen) of Arakkal, Kerala’s only Muslim Royal family that controlled parts of the coast and even Lakshadweep.

The following article goes into details of the project.

http://www.kerala.gov.in/kerala_callingoct/pg34-35.pdf

As India becomes rapidly more and more prosperous and regains the position it held 250 years ago as one of the major centres of world commerce and technical innovation, more and more Indian's will have the luxury of time and the resouces to appreciate their heritage.

As many countries in Europe know tourism has a very valuable role in modern economies.

Preserving and repairing these smaller and less well known buildings will help to bring much needed income to the less frequented areas. As well as telling people in India about the really fascinating heritage they had.

With feminism and the huge growth in equal rights being constantly trumpeted in the west, there was a section of Indian society in Kerala where female rulers built and ran fleets of ocean going trading ships around the Indian Ocean, over 200 years ago.

"I never heard that the cost of Timber before it reaches Bombay is more Now then when the trade was open and the company were obliged to buy their wants from the Merchants – But the monopoly is so odious a measure and one that has given rise to so much discontent , that one sacrifice a little for the care and welfare of those whom we are bound to conciliate there is most objection which seems wholly to have escaped the Consideration of Govt and that is, that the monopoly has put a total stop to ship building amongst the coast merchants, and this indeed may be considered as one of the causes of the great stagnation of trade in Malabar – The old Bupee of Cananese wanted to build a new ship of 4 to 500 tons burthen, and applied to the conservator of the Forests for the necessary Timber – who answered He has no orders to sell timber – I send the original answer, as a specimen of the uncourtly reception the old Lady’s application met with." T. H. Baber 1817

The Bupee of Cananese was the East India title of the Beebee of Arakkal.

Regards

Nick