Thursday, Nov 25, 2004
Thursday, Nov 25, 2004 |
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Thiruvananthapuram
By Our Staff Reporter
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, NOV. 24 . The 150-year-old Peshkar Office, one of the oldest structures in the Fort heritage zone, is set to receive a new lease of life. The Archaeology Department has taken up a renovation project to repair and preserve the building, under the Fort Area Conservation Project. The tiled building, which was constructed as the treasury of the erstwhile Travancore State, served as the office of the Peshkar, the administrative head equivalent to the District Collector. The building currently houses an office of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation. Constructed in the typical Kerala style of architecture during the reign of Sri Swathi Thirunal (1829-1847), the Peshkar office bears the impressive Travancore State emblem on its gateway. The ravages of time and continuous exposure to the elements have damaged parts of the building.
Structurally sound
A pre-renovation survey revealed that the building was structurally sound. The Archaeology Director, V. Manmadhan Nair, says, "Since it was designed as a treasury, the building was constructed exceptionally strong. Despite minimal structural damage, large parts of the rafters and wooden beams have rotted away." The conservation work mainly involves replacing the damaged tiles and the wooden rafters. A temporary workshop has been set up at the entrance of the building where skilled workers are busy moulding wooden banisters and carved eaves to match the original work.
Damaged masonry
The damaged masonry is "stitched" using the traditional mixture of lime-based plaster. The concoction is prepared by mixing lime with jaggery and herbs and leaving it to ferment for 15 days. "We have avoided using cement because it does not bond with the traditional mortar," says a conservation expert. The Taluk office, Excise office, Sub Treasury and the Village office, which are housed in the same complex, have already been renovated. "The renovation of these buildings will enable them to survive for another 50 years," Mr. Nair says.
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