Awaiting a monumental facelift

KOCHI: Two of the major historic buildings of Fort Kochi will soon be brought under the ambit of Heritage Conservation to preserve the glory of a forgone era they represent. The Hari Shenoy Bungalow which was built in 1874 and the age-old Chembittapalli Mosque which was constructed in 1300 AD are the two historic buildings that were undertaken by the Indian National Trust for Arts and Culture Heritage (INTACH) for the restoration works.

The renovation work became a reality after the ‘Cultural Mosaic Project’, mooted by architect Professor  Ramaswamy Iyer which  gave a comprehensive view on the scheme of renovation, was accepted by INTACH. The project is supported by UNESCO and each building will be renovated at an estimated cost of Rs 2.5 crore.

“The project is an addition to the rich heritage value of Fort Kochi, one of the major tourist attractions in Ernakulam. There are about 15 different communities in Kochi all with their diverse cultures and heritage. All of these cultures have contributed to the growth of the city in innumerable ways . So it is a fair and good move to repay them by protecting the testaments of the past,” said former Mayor K J Sohan.

The Chembittapalli Mosque, also known as Kochungadi Juma-ath Palli, is located at Mattancherry. The mosque’s construction was sanctioned by the then King of Kochi, Syed Moulana Bukhari Thangal, about 700 years ago. The name ‘Chembittapalli’ was derived because of the copper used on the main hall of the mosque.

The Hari Shenoy Bungalow was built in 1874 by R S Hari Shenoy, a merchant and a nobleman who was an important personality in the royal court and an adhikari (administrator) of the TD temple. The Bungalow display styles were inspired by European and Indian architecture. The interior walls of the Bungalow are aesthetically painted which have remained intact over the years. The Bungalow was also used as the government office and the residence for some officers of the temple after Hari Shenoy’s death. Baburaj Pai, one of the members of the groups protecting the Gouda Saraswat Brahmins explained the history of the community.

“There are two Pathayappura (traditional granary) in the bungalow.  Each of it has the capacity to hold 3,500 para (unit to measure paddy). One of the granaries has already been renovated at an estimated cost of Rs 65 lakh. The entire restoration works will be completed in one and a half year and the Bungalow will be elevated to the status of a museum ,” according to an official.
They also hope that the conservation of the 700-year old Chembittapalli mosque and the 142-year old Hari Shenoy Bungalow will revitalise the ethnic diversity of the area.