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| 1. What is the background of INTACH, Pondicherry? |
INTACH Pondicherry Chapter was started in 1984 under the Convenorship of Jayanthilal Parekh.
Pondicherry being a unique city with its distinct French and Tamil architectural heritage the activities of the chapter
were directed towards its protection. It was during this period that the most important heritage database -
listing, grading and mapping of the 1800 heritage buildings in French and Tamil Towns was carried out in collaboration
with EFEO (Ecole Francais d’Extrême Orient's) scholars like Pierre Pichard and Francoise l’Hernault. This list is kept
updated and a copy is with the PPA for the purpose of scrutinising building applications.
The organization's work in ‘Architectural Heritage’ got a boost with a workshop held at the EFEO in 1988 by Professors
and Students of various architecture colleges with the help of K.T.Ravindran of the School of Planning and Architecture,
New Delhi. The interest was furthered by architects like Toshak Patel and Ajit Koujalgi. In 1998 the Conservation Cell was
started with funding from the Town and Country Planning Department (TCPD), Government of Pondicherry to help the process of
heritage preservation. Now the organisation works with various Government departments like the Pondicherry Planning Authority (PPA),
Public Works Department (PWD), Art & Culture, Tourism, Municipality, EFEO and Institut français de Pondichéry (IFP) apart from the
individual building owners, architects and engineers. |
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2. What is the set up of INTACH Pondicherry? |
The Convenor of the organisation is Thm. Sayekumari, a native of Pondicherry who takes care of the general policy
matters and the Co-convenor is Th. Ajit Koujalgi (architect) who is in charge of matters related to Architectural Heritage.
The organization's work in ‘Architectural Heritage’ got a boost with a workshop held at the EFEO in 1988 by Professors
and Students of various architecture colleges with the help of K.T.Ravindran of the School of Planning and Architecture,
New Delhi. The interest was furthered by architects like Toshak Patel and Ajit Koujalgi. In 1998 the Conservation Cell was
started with funding from the Town and Country Planning Department (TCPD), Government of Pondicherry to help the process of
heritage preservation. Now the organisation works with various Government departments like the Pondicherry Planning Authority (PPA),
Public Works Department (PWD), Art & Culture, Tourism, Municipality, EFEO and Institut français de Pondichéry (IFP) apart from the
individual building owners, architects and engineers.
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3. How do we become members? |
Interested individuals can fill out a standard form with required membership fee (annual/life/student/institutional memberships)
and submit it either here or send it to the Delhi office directly. However, even without being a paid member one can offer his / her
voluntary work to the organisation.
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4. What is the understanding between Pondicherry Planning Authority (PPA),
Town & Country Planning Department (TCPD) & INTACH? |
The Conservation Cell of INTACH was established as an advisory body and funded by the TCPD (in 1998) to work in 5 specific areas as follows:
- To act as an interface with the public to achieve conservation objectives
- To help frame conservation and architectural control guidelines
- To update listing and prepare documentation to educate the public
- To provide architectural consultancy to building owners and architects to enable them to
convert/modernize/extend/rebuild and newly build their buildings in harmony with the architectural
character of the street/locality/town at a reasonable rate.
- To assist Planning Authorities in clearing the applications for buildings identified for conservation by
suggesting Architectural control measures.
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5. How are buildings identified as heritage value buildings? |
There is a definition of national standard (circulated by the Ministry of Environment) for listing and grading of buildings which are to
be adapted according to the regional context. In the case of Pondicherry apart from the major monuments like Lighthouse, Raj Nivas, Churches,
Temples, Mosques, and the Ashram, all the old houses and buildings built with traditional materials and having traditional architectural features
(French/Tamil) -are considered as heritage value buildings. The grading (I, IIA, IIB and III) is dependent on size, beauty, architectural features etc.
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6. What is the state of Heritage Preservation in other towns and cities of India? |
In Mumbai, Hyderabad and Nagpur, heritage legislation has been passed and there is a heritage committee that is
now an integral part of the city’s Planning and Development Authority.
In Delhi, Urban Arts Commission (UAC) is there to take care of
the new developments in historic areas. In Mumbai, Urban Design Research Institute (UDRI) and Bombay Environmental Action Group with the
support of Mumbai Metropolitan Development Authority (MMDA) are playing a key role in the conservation of the historic buildings.
In Ahmedabad, the Foundation for Conservation and Research of Urban Traditional Architecture (CRUTA) is being funded by the Ahmedabad Municipal
Corporation to document and preserve the old buildings and to conduct heritage walking tours for visitors.
In Cochin and Chennai, the local INTACH chapters are trying to push for heritage legislation (like in Mumbai).
However, unfortunately, in places like Chidambaram, Kumbakonam, Chettinad where there are many interesting precincts and buildings there
is no institution or government initiative to protect the architectural heritage and these towns are fast losing their traditional image.
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7. Why protect all private houses - isn't it sufficient just to protect monuments and grand buildings like the Lighthouse or Raj Nivas? |
Pondicherry does not have a large number of monumental buildings (in fact 99% of all buildings are residential structures)
but still it has a special charm and especially the visitors and tourists are captivated and intrigued by it- why?
This is because the hundreds of ordinary houses, built in the traditional style, whether in Tamil or French parts, give it the defining character.
It is these houses that create the special character of the streets and the collection of these streets form the town.
In French part it is the orderly villas with their simple fenestration, ornate cornices, pilasters and balcony and elaborate gateways
set the tone and ambiance and while in the Tamil part it is the endless rows of verandahs and pillars that give a special feel to the town.
The essence of any vernacular architecture (almost anywhere in the world) is that they share common patterns and language that is repeated in
endless diversity. All houses are similar, but no two houses are same - and that's the beauty of it. Also these houses are solidly built and well
adapted to climatic and social conditions.
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8. Why could INTACH Conservation Cell not stop the demolition of some heritage buildings (like the significant Naidu Lodge building in Jawaharlal Nehru Street)? |
In the first place INTACH Conservation Cell is only an advisory body and has no statutory powers to take action against violations or illegal proceedings - the maximum limit is that it can state its opinion to PPA and TCPD seeking further legal action from them.
In the case of Naidu Lodge building in Jawaharlal Nehru Street, the two partners (brothers) were met at their place with an alternate design
scheme where the old front portion could be retained and integrated with the new commercial complex intended by the owners. One of the partners
was convinced and the other not. Structural engineer was also taken who gave his opinion that the front portion of the old building could be very
well preserved. A complete documentation was done of the existing building. Letters were sent to PPA and TCPD seeking their co-operation - however
the power of political influence and money won the situation.
Similar to the loss of the above building, there are about 500 buildings
demolished over the last 5 years - 75% of them without prior permission. This clearly shows that the effort of INTACH Conservation Cell alone is not
enough for preserving the heritage and that there should be co-operation from heritage building owners, professionals of construction industry and the
government.
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