Buildings as living heritage

Heritage buildings are often seen as that: heritage, preserved like museum pieces for people to look back in nostalgia, or as for researchers to build on the bricks of history. But lived heritage space can also be re-used in a new avatar and ensure its continuity without destructing its architectural value.

This was amply demonstrated at a recent workshop entitled 'Kolkata's Architectural Heritage and Urban Regeneration" organised by the British Council and Calcutta Tercentenary Trust. The latter was formed in 1990 with the 'aim to encourage understanding and conservation of the European artistic, architectural and cultural heritage of India.' It has since successfully restored oil paintings of the Colonial era at the Victoria Memorial Hall, and work is still going on. Kolkata, once called the 'city of palaces' has some of the finest examples of British colonial architecture too built during the city's tenure as capital of British Indian empire till it was shifted to Delhi in 1911. Many of them are now in the heritage list. However, most of them need urgent attention- and funds, before they crumble down as they are in a dilapidated condition.

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One of the ways to ensure that such buildings are not lost to history could be
looking anew at their potential for 're-use.' S. K. Mishra, president, INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage) showed through slides how the collapsing nooks and crannies of the Jailsalmer Fort, Sonar Kella for Bengalis fed on Satyajit Ray's eponymous adventure film, have been restored. More than 500 people still live within its walls but they have not been displaced but better facilities are being given and taught to take pride in their heritage. The premises like Rani ka Mahal , Har Rajji Ka Mahal, etc. are also being re-used to showcase local art and crafts, locate museum and archive. Plans are also afoot to reintroduce the 1763 Patiala Fort, repository of the biggest collection of war medals in the world (thanks to king Bhupinder Singh's hobby), as a museum and cultural hub. But Mishra also cautioned that ' When re-using an old building, we must think of what it was originally meant for- and how to re-use it now so that there's no dichotomy in the ambience."

Some of the best examples of how that can be done, without spoiling the mood' was demonstrated by Giles Quarme, chairman of the Ancient Monuments Society, England, who talked on " Re-using historic buildings: British Perspective." His firm specialises on alteration and restoration of historical building and was also responsible for building of Visitor's Centre at Lady Diana memorial museum at Althorp Park, and the restoration of the Indian High Commission's premises at Kensington Palace. The popular Covent Garden area, with its historical market revived but as visitor-friendly as in the past, a 1890 dispensary in Zanziber island to a beautiful museum , the original tobacco dock to today's Oliver's Wharf in the Docklands area in London were some of the examples he showcased. " Make environ attractive and economically viable. If you give it to the community it will be preserved. And conservation can make money too with flexibility in attitude." Quarme feels that India has huge potential with hundreds of heritage buildings.
However, its needs will, and a wider perspective. Barun De, vice-president, Asiatic Society, expressed 'a certain disquiet' at the way the listing and preservation of the Kolkata's heritage buildings, is going about.