NEWSLINKS US EDITION SOUTH ASIA COLUMNISTS DIARY SPECIALS INTERVIEWS CAPITAL BUZZ REDIFF POLL DEAR REDIFF THE STATES ELECTIONS ARCHIVES US ARCHIVES SEARCH REDIFF
Syed Amin Jafri in Hyderabad
Afzal Mahal, one of Nizam's palaces in Hyderabad, All Saints Church and Rang Bagh temple complex are among the half-a-dozen heritage buildings chosen for the INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage) heritage awards 2002.
The awards were given away at a function in Hyderabad on Thursday night by Andhra Pradesh Governor Dr C Rangarajan.
The jury for this year's awards comprised two renowned architects, Syed Anwar Aziz of Hyderabad and E F N Ribeiro, former chief planner of Union government.
Both are members of the Hyderabad Urban Development Authority Heritage Committee.
INTACH screening committee convenor Sajjad Shahid said Afzal Mahal, one of the four palaces in Chow Mohalla complex, acquired its classical European look during the reign of the fifth Nizam Afzal-ud-Dowla (1857-69).
After a long period of neglect, the Nizam's Private Estate has commissioned a major conservation project to restore Chow Mohalla to its original glory.
Musa Burj, also chosen for the award, is a decagon of which six sides are visible. The three-storied structure is surmounted by cannon, including the Azdaha Paikar (dragon body), one of the four famous guns used by Aurangzeb during his Deccan campaign.
This part of the Golconda fort is presently administered by the Artillery Centre of the Indian Army.
Located off the old Bombay highway, the Rang Bagh is an ensemble of buildings with three temples. This complex is presently administered by a trust.
The Malani residence in Begumpet owned by the family of Seth Dewan Bahadur Ramgopal, who had founded the DBR Mills. This Spartan two-storied building was constructed in 1936 in the Osmanian architectural style.
All Saints Church, constructed at Trimulgherry in 1860, is a fine example of the Gothic style of architecture. An imposing structure with a multitude of spires and turrets and a soaring tower for the belfry, the church is built on an imposing scale.
Giving away the awards for the fifth consecutive year, Dr Rangarajan said that Andhra Pradesh, more particularly Hyderabad-Secunderabad, have many monuments of heritage interest.
"Hyderabad has an unparalleled place in the history of Indian cultural heritage. It is a fine example of the composite culture of this country. It has come under the influence of several dynasties. The range of architectural styles of the heritage buildings embellishing the city's landscape is astounding," he pointed out.
Stating that these buildings bring out visibly the richness and diversity of the cultural heritage of the city, the governor said, "We need not only to protect these buildings but also make them easily accessible to people. Infrastructure near the monuments has to be good to attract tourists. Heritage building and sites are non-renewable cultural resources. It is our responsibility to preserve them in order to ensure historical continuity."
Back to top
Tell us what you think of this report
