Phoenix rising on city skyline

The report collected from Dr Colin Cunnnigham, archetectural historian, Open University (UK) is today an important blue-print for restoration works. The INTACH professionals entrusted with the job, have after conducting a series of tests on the fire-ravaged site claimed that a `complete restoration’ is possible.

January 13, 2000 was an unlucky day for the Corporation. With the morning sun rose also the dense black fumes from the 107-year old Corporation hall which had gone up in smoke in the dark. Till date, no one knows how. But they do know that the shattered, opaque, stained glass on the sandstone arches which once caught the rays of the setting sun will once again light up colour again. The only irreparable damage has been to the 10 huge oil-paintings of the Indian leaders. They have been destroyed beyond repairs. (Two out of the 12 total paintings are undergoing restoration).

But restoration is not going to be an easy proposition. Skills and techniques in the architectural world have changed a lot from the days when Victorias and trams ran alongside the Corporation building. So when it came to getting artisans to handle the stone sculptures the restoration team discovered that the J J school of Arts, no longer runs courses of sandstone carvings in today’s world of abstracts.

The stone sculptures in the hall – 18 human heads each with different head gears, exquisite pattern of Indian flora and fauna etc were sculpted by Telugu carvers of the Bombay School of Arts (now called the J J school of arts), in the 1800s. “But the Sompura community from Gujarat still practises the trade and they will be here to do the job,” said an INTACH architect.

Likewise artisans from Ahmedabad, Palitana, Pindhwara and Lucknow will be employed to produce the same results using the same practises and technologies. The damaged gold-gilded carvings of squirrels, monkeys, peacocks will get a coat of gold the way they did a century ago. “A largepart of the work comprises of removing soot deposits. The wooden ceiling is not damaged. Some stained glass, stone arches and the huge Burma teak wood doors need replacement though,” said an INTACH professional. “And all the replacements will be as good as the old ones,” he assured.

But still there are apprehensions and breath-stopping moments. Like the time when the heavy 6 ft high brass chandelier was lowered. “It was for the first time perhaps but everything went all right. Now it has been entrusted to a chemistry scientist of INTACH from Lucknow. Polishing has begun and the dull and oxidised chandelier will be in its metallic splendour again,” said a civic official.

The fire provided one blessing in disguise. The attempt to regain the original splendour means that all the ugly accoutrements built over the years to suit the growing needs of the Corporation, will be thrown out. There are plans to do away the sunmica and PVC additions the leading eyesores of the hall.

However grand and laborious the nature of work, the target is to get it completed by March. So that when the hall opens to budgetory discussions it will be with all its grandeur and splendour regained.