The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Building in Fort heritage zone to be restored

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Wednesday, Nov 28, 2007
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Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Building in Fort heritage zone to be restored

Special Correspondent

To be permanent exhibition venue of Ravi Varma’s works

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Archaeology department is working on a project to restore the 150-year-old Moodathumadham building in the Fort heritage zone and convert it into a permanent exhibition venue to showcase the works of legendary artist Raja Ravi Varma who lived during the Travancore era.

The government has declared the building a protected monument and issued an order giving advance possession to the Archaeology department.

The Revenue Department has started a survey to mark the premises, located opposite SP Fort Hospital.

Built in the traditional style of architecture, the building has a sloping roof, wooden ceiling and ‘nalukettu’ with granite pillars.

Historical importance

Originally known as Moovedathu (one of three) Madham, it was one of the buildings belonging to the Thiruvalla, Changanassery and Kilimanoor palaces.

Historical records say the building was used to house princes from the Kilimanoor palace before being married into the Kowdiar Palace, the seat of power in erstwhile Travancore.

At Moodathumadham, the young princes were imparted training to mould them into the ways of city life. The youth were not allowed to return home during the period of training.

One of the famed occupants of the building was artist Raja Ravi Varma. Many of the great works of the painter were done here, his biography says. “As a tribute to the memory of Raja Ravi Vama, we are planning to convert Moodathumadham into a permanent venue to exhibit his paintings,” says S. Hemachandran, director, Archaeology.

An elaborately decorated arched gateway known as ‘anakkottil’ once graced the palace on the western side. The ‘anakkottil’ was demolished in 1964 to widen the Arattu Road.

Ownership tussle

The building fell into disuse following protracted legal battle over ownership. Parts of the structure were vandalised by miscreants. With the ceiling all but destroyed, the interiors were exposed to the elements.

Mr. Hemachandran said the dilapidated structure would require a massive restoration effort. “Many of the walls will have to be reconstructed from scratch. To retain the originality of the structure, we will have to use lime plaster mix for the construction work. Some of the cracked granite pillars of the ‘nalukettu’ will also need replacement.”

Department officials had removed some of the massive rafters that were intact and stowed them away for later use.

The restoration project will be taken up with funds from the Tourism Department, Mr. Hemachandran said.

Meanwhile, the legal tussle over ownership of the palace is yet to be resolved.

The government has agreed to deposit the compensation for the building with the court, so that the restoration work can be taken up without delay.

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