Category Archives: Historical Links / Pre-Independence

French touch to Hyderabad metro stations

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All, Travel, World Opinion

Indo-French Architecture students at the tomb of the French general in Nizam's army, Michel Joachim Marie Raymond, in Hyderabad on Monday.— PHOTO: Mohammed Yousuf
Indo-French Architecture students at the tomb of the French general in Nizam’s army, Michel Joachim Marie Raymond, in Hyderabad on Monday.— PHOTO: Mohammed Yousuf

A group of architecture students, professors from Bordeaux, France along with students from Hyderabad are collaborating for a week to come up with ideas to develop the two metro rail stations.

The obelisk of Monsieur Raymond at Moosarambagh, the reputed French general in the Nizam’s military, which still evokes awe among the visitors, is set to receive a fresh lease of life from a French connection.

The Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) authorities are now leveraging French artistic and architectural flair to develop Raymond’s tomb into a heritage precinct and also the upcoming Moosarambagh and New Market metro stations.

A group of architecture students, professors from Bordeaux, France along with students from Hyderabad are collaborating for a week to come up with ideas to develop the two metro rails stations as heritage tourism points. The French architectural talent will also provide inputs and conceptualise development of the Raymond’s tomb, around the metro stations.

“The common theme that I have found between Hyderabad and Bordeaux is the passion that people have for their respective cities. They ask us the same tough questions on how to develop the city and at the same time keep its historical flavour alive. It is a stimulating and challenging work and hopefully we should be able to come up with something tangible in a week,” says architect and professor, Ecole D’Architecture De Bordeaux, J. Kent Fitzsimons.

Close to 13 students from France and 47 from architecture colleges in Hyderabad are taking part in this project, being supported by the Architecture and Design Foundation (India), Alliance Francaise and HMR. Based on the innovative ideas coming out of the collaboration, Telangana State Government and HMR will develop these two stations and Raymond’s tomb into a heritage precinct.

“This is a good way to integrate heritage and conservation values of Hyderabad with metro rail routes. This will go a long way in spreading awareness and re-energising public spaces, especially in places that have historical value,” says senior architect P. Venu Gopal, who will be the guide for the students.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by M. Sai Gopal / Hyderabad – September 08th, 2015

Giving back Chenchus their music

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All

Stringed music instrument restored after 50 years. A team from the Forum and the university, guided by G. Manoja from Palamur University, travelled all the way to the Appapur hamlet in Nallamala forests.

It was quite a homecoming for ‘Kinnera’ (aka ‘Kinneri’), a stringed music instrument, when it arrived into the Chenchu tribal heartland amid the forests of Mahabubnagar district of Telangana, after decades of wandering.

A Chenchu tribesman playing ‘Kinnera’ presented by the Telangana Rachayithala Vedika and the University of Hyderabad. / by Special Arrangement
A Chenchu tribesman playing ‘Kinnera’ presented by the Telangana Rachayithala Vedika and the University of Hyderabad. / by Special Arrangement

The rare instrument with three resonators, which was popular in the tribe long ago, but disappeared later, was restored to them recently, thanks to the joint efforts by the ‘Telangana Rachayithala Vedika’ (Telangana Writers’ Forum) and the University of Hyderabad.

A team from the Forum and the university, guided by G. Manoja from Palamur University, travelled all the way to the Appapur hamlet in Nallamala forests on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People on August 9, to present their exquisite find to the tribe. To their surprise, they were greeted by smiles of recognition, as the instrument was still part of their lore if not lives.

“Though they lost the instrument 50 years ago, a few tribesmen still remember it. In fact, three old-timers could even play it,” says academic and writer Jayadhir Tirumal Rao, who headed the team.

The instrument uses bamboo for the neck, dried and hollowed gourds for resonators, human hair or animal nerves for strings, and pangolin scales for frets which are fixed using honey-wax. According to Mr. Rao, visiting faculty at the Centre for Dalit and Adivasi Studies at the UoH, Chenchus lost the instrument half a century ago when the gourd used for resonator became extinct in this region.

It was inherited by the ‘Dakkali’ nomadic community of the district which was a ‘Madiga’ sub-caste and lived a troubadour for existence. They, however, reduced the number of frets to seven, purportedly in honour of Chenchus.

Obtaining ‘Kinnera’ from Dakkali community was an arduous task for Mr. Rao who stumbled upon the instrument while researching about Panduga Sayanna, a Telangana fighter.

“Dakkali singers sang his praise using ‘Kinnera,’ which egged me on to explore its history. To obtain it, I had to follow the community’s trail for almost three years. Initially they were afraid, but later came round and parted with this rare gift,” Mr. Rao said. And it was from the hands of Dakkali Pochaiah that the tribe received this souvenir.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hinduj / Home> National> Telangana / by Shanthi V. / August 15th, 2015

Of Britishers who worked for India

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All, World Opinion

“This is not a book about the British colonialism, but a narrative of those who lived here and worked for India. It is about their contribution to our country”

This was how an academic and CEO of the GMR Varalakshmi Foundation, V. Raghunathan and an IT professional, who gave up her job yielding to her passion of writing, Veena Prasad, described ‘Beyond the Call of Duty’, a 224-page book published by HarperCollins Publishers India that was released here on Friday.

It speaks of a dozen people who came to India, lived here and did their bit to a nation that was colonised.

Director-Research at the LV Prasad Eye Research Institute, D. Balasubramanian spoke about the characters in the book – W.H. Sleeman who chased thugs in his spare time, fighting the ‘Thugee system’ and Ronald Ross who hunted the Anopheles mosquito and demystified malaria. The book chronicles the work of others, including Mount Stuart Elphinstone, the educationist Governor of Bombay who is considered the founding father of modern Indian education, Arthur Thomas Cotton the man who ‘dammed’ India, William Jones’s tribute to Indology and who laid the foundation of the Asiatic Society and the occasional botanist Dr. Archibald Campbell on ‘Bringing tea to Darjeeling’.

There were chapters on the multi-faceted genius James Prinsep and his ‘Extending Indian History’, R.M. Stephenson and John Chapman – the men who shrunk India by getting it on track, Alexander Cunningham and brothers who proved the point with a family enterprise of excellence and the Indian Briton Mark Tully, a journalist par excellence. The authors took questions as to what had made them choose the subjects they did. Among the more interesting, the curious among the audience was Amani Gudipati, a student of Class VII of Oakridge International School. She walked up to Ms. Veena Prasad and thanked her profusely for the education of the evening.

When asked, little Amani said, “We were taught in school that the Britishers ruled India. Now I have become more open-minded and learning a different facet, being told about Britishers who lived here and actually worked for the progress of the country!”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Suresh Krishnamoorthy / Hyderabad – August 23rd, 2015

Turner’s Choultry: A colonial rest house

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Visakhapatnam :

Built in the year 1893, the Turner’s Choultry is a stone masonary building 90 feet long and 60 feet wide. It was originally a Chattram or a Traveller’s House built to provide temporary shelter to traders, pilgrims and other travellers visiting the city.

The building is an ashlar fine structure that was built at a cost of Rs 43,000, of which Rs 10,000 was paid by the Maharajah of Vizianagaram, Anand Gajapathi Raju, an equal sum was provided by the Gode family and the remaining was raised from the public.

The site on which the Choultry stands was originally the Enugu Thota (Elephant Lines) of the 104 Regiment and even today the stones to which the elephants were tied can be seen. Close to the Choultry is a huge water tank, next to the Police Barracks, where the elephants bathed.

Built in the name of former district collector, Henry Gribble Turner, the Choultry remained the property of the Visakhapatnam municipality till 1975, after which it passed into the hands of the endowments department.

The building boasts of 24 rooms and a living space, distributed over three courtyards. According to history buff BS Mahesh, the plan of the building is that of a traditional south Indian house with rooms and verandas all around a central courtyard.

“The beauty of the building lies in the simplicity of its plan and the manner in which space is used. The facade is of course beautiful with an arched doorway leading into the central courtyard and the stone pillars give it that imposing look,” said Mahesh. He further added that the tiles used for the roof were pot tiles, which were later replaced by Mangalore tiles.

Civil engineer Narayana Murthy said the structure was built on a raised plinth of more than four feet, which added to the majestic look. “The main structure is over 90 feet in length and 50 feet in breadth and is perfectly rectangular in shape. This apart there are bathrooms that extend the area of the structure. The dressed stone used to build the walls are all cut to the same shape and size and the mortar used to bind the stones is exactly the same in each and every bind. The construction is extremely precise and requires expert stone masonry skills. The thick stone walls built on the raised platform provide balance and strength to the building,” Murthy said.

Even today, the Turner’s Choultry is abuzz with activity and usually hosts weddings, functions, book shows, exhibitions and religious festivals. The endowments department charges a nominal rent of Rs 300 for a small scale wedding at the venue.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Visakhapatnam / TNN / August 06th, 2015

Filling Gaps in History

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All, World Opinion

Hyderabad :

“Konjem konjem Telugu vastundi and thoda bahut Hindi bol leta hun,” says Benjamin E Cohen with a boyish grin. An associate professor in history at the University of Utah, Benjamin was on one of his yearly visits to the city. Also a research scholar, he was here to launch his second book, ‘In the Club’.

PIC: A RAdhakrishna
PIC: A RAdhakrishna

“People at the book launch said that my books and writings are ‘history, with a twist’. I like that. That is how my work is,” he says, with a wink.

Though it may seem quite natural for a history scholar to explore the history of clubs in a diverse country like India, the idea of dedicating a book that helps understand club culture is unconventional.
Benjamin explains, “I knew there were many old clubs across India and South Asia. I investigated whether or not any scholar had taken up their history – their whole history and not just one individual club. It turns out that there was a gap. I was interested in filling that gap.” He also shares his experience, “when you ask people if they know about the Secunderabad Club, they say yes. But if you ask them to elaborate, nobody will.”

The book takes a look at clubs in India, their role in building an associational life and a civil society in colonial India.

“It also talks about their role when India was transitioning from colonial rule to independence,” he elaborates.

His first book, ‘Kingship and Colonialism in India’s Deccan: 1850-1948’ was a fresh perspective on the relationship between the rulers and the ruled. Using archival material and not hearsay and rumour, Benjamin reconstructed the societal equations without any blinkers.

Benjamin is grateful to his friends and colleagues especially here in the city who have helped him draft the book. His biggest strength is his fluency to read, write and converse in Telugu, Hindi and Urdu. “I studied my languages first as a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Then I had the opportunity to live and work in Hyderabad during my graduation. I took private lessons with both Telugu and Urdu teachers. I tried to keep up with the languages back in the states,” he shares and adds that his interest in the area began when he was a child. As the son of a political scientist who also specialised in South Asian studies, he first came to India in 1977.

“I lived in Vizag, Delhi and Mussourie. We spent a year in Hyderabad. My whole life, I have either come to India or grew up in a home that was steeped in either Indian or South Asian culture,” he recalls. He worked in Chicago for three years after that.

“I was tired of that life,” he admits, “What I really wanted to do was find out more about India and South Asia,” he shares. Ask him what he likes about India and he counter questions, “How can I begin to answer that question?” and adds, “India is both a very old civilisation also a very young democracy. I find that combination fascinating. India has more excitement in one block than America has in 10.”

That is why he enjoys coming to India and is glad to contribute to its rich and diverse history. He also has two interesting projects lined up.

“I am finishing a book on Nawab Mehdi Hasan Fateh Nawaz Jung who was a minister in Hyderabad from 1883 to 93. He came here from Lucknow to work in the Nizam’s government. He had a British wife and they ran into some trouble. It was a scandal and was on the front pages of all the newspapers,” he tells us.

Another is a long history of water in Telangana from the Kakatiya rule. “I am very excited about these projects,” he exclaims.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Rajitha S / June 19th, 2015

Nonagenarian doctor’s relentless service to patients

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, Science & Technology, Travel

At the age of 91, Daram Nagabooshanam, the senior most chest physician of Karimnagar district, hates Sundays and holidays and says, “I feel happy and healthy only if I work and go to my clinic to treat my patients”.

This elderly doctor still arrives sharp at 9 a.m. at his clinic by walking, from his house and treats patients coming from far flung places of Karimnagar, Adilabad, Nizamabad and Medak districts and also adjoining Chhattisgarh State.

He is still continuing his crusade against the Tuberculosis (TB) disease.

Dr. Nagabooshanam, who is popularly called as the TB doctor, is native of Jagtial and completed his medicine from Osmania Medical College in 1952. He also completed his TDD in 1960.

He practiced medicine in the government sector for 13 years till 1964 and later started private practice in Karimnagar town since then. When TB was considered as dreaded disease like cancer, this doctor instilled confidence in people with his proper diagnosis and appropriate prescription.

Varied interests

He was the first person in the district to conduct X ray screening facilities for treatment. Recently, he had won the State government’s “Vayo Shrestha Samman” award for Lifetime Achievement category. He is a multi-faceted genius and a man with varied interests. He has passion for collection of rare artefacts, drift wood, philately, numismatics, crystal stones and ancient historic tools and preserving them in his museum set up in memory of his wife Daram Susheela Memorial Museum in Karimnagar.

He also won accolades for launching campaign against corruption and usage of plastic bags.

This doctor also serves gruel during summer season every year to quench the thirst of people in the town. Dr Nagabooshanam feels proud to serve the needy patients even at this age.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Telangana / by K. M. Dayashankar / Karimnagar – July 01st, 2015

Ancient fish market on the road to restoration

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All, Travel

Hyderabad :

Set to be razed to the ground by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to make way for a modern structure only a few years ago, the ancient fish market in Begum Bazaar is now all set to get a new lease of life. And restoring it back to its past glory is city-based conservation architect Anuradha S Naik, who drew up an assessment report in 2011 on the market that was built by the erstwhile City Improvement Board (CIB) in the 1930s.

“This market is largely run by third generation vendors. After I submitted my analytical report, the GHMC stalled its plans of pulling it down,” the Edinburgh University-educated architect said. Highlighting the “beautiful synchronization of spaces” that the “triangular shaped” market, with courtyards in the middle, showcases, she asserted: “Yes, it needs a lot of repairs, but it definitely can be restored.” The project is being undertaken by the GHMC.

This apart, Naik has a bunch of other exciting projects in her kitty too, and implementing a heritage management plan in the town of Amaravati in Andhra Pradesh is one among them. As a representative of the Indian Heritage Cities Network (IHCN), which was recently appointed by the central government to implement its HRIDAY scheme in the heritage town, Naik, along with her team, will develop some of Amaravati’s distinct heritage sites, create a city museum and enhance the infrastructure in the area to facilitate better tourist inflow.

HRIDAY — the Heritage Development and Augmentation Yojana was launched by the Union ministry of urban development earlier this year with the objective to “preserve and rejuvenate the rich cultural heritage of the country”. The 12 cities selected under this scheme are Varanasi, Amritsar, Warangal, Ajmer, Gaya, Mathura, Kanchipuram, Vellankanni, Badami, Dwaraka, Puri and Amaravati.

“We are collaborating with the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) for this project that has just taken off. It is a two-year programme for which we have been sanctioned a fund of Rs 22.3 crore,” Naik said.

“We will also be working closely with the government of AP as it has already done some work in terms of identifying the heritage sites. It is definitely going to be a very interesting project as it is very close to the new capital of the state. We will have to adopt a multi-layered approach so as to ensure that the heritage development project seamlessly merges with the master plan of the area,” she added.

Another ongoing project that Naik fondly talks about is the Domakonda Fort in Nizamabad. She was appointed consultant for the restoration of this approximately 300-year-old structure in 2011 by the Kamineni family to whom this ancient fort belongs.

“Along with using locally available material so as to reduce energy consumption, my focus has also been on creating jobs for locals. The restoration is being done in a very sustainable manner, courtesy the encouragement that came from my client,” Naik shared, stressing the need for focus on ‘environment conscious’ ways of restoration. “In fact, restoration, if carried out properly, drastically reduces energy consumption. Therefore, focus on repairs is the way forward. It is no longer an option but a necessity,” she reiterated.

GRAPHIC

Ongoing projects

* Begum Bazaar fish market: Built by erstwhile City Improvement Board (CIB) in the 1930s, the triangle-shaped market, with a courtyard in the middle, is run by third generation vendors

* Amaravati: As representative of the Indian Heritage Cities Network (IHCN), Naik will develop the Buddhist town’s heritage sites, create a city museum and enhance infrastructure, all in keeping with the new AP capital’s master plan

* Domakonda Fort, Nizamabad: Naik is a consultant for restoration of the nearly 300-year-old fort which belongs to the Kamineni family

QUOTE

We are collaborating with the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) for this project that has just taken off. It is a two-year programme for which we have been sanctioned a fund of Rs 22.3 crore Anuradha S Naik, conservation architect

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / TNN / June 14th, 2015

Doon’s bonds with Hyderabad

Education, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All

The Nizam was one of the principal donors to the school prior to Independence, and it continues to have a house named after the city

One Prime Minister, several Chief Ministers and prominent politicians, exponents in art, drama, film and literature, sporting icons and top bureaucrats and militarymen – The Doon School has all of them and more on its list of alumni.

Interestingly, the prestigious Dehradun-based school has a Hyderabad connection. The Nizam was one of the principal donors to the school prior to Independence, and the school continues to have one its houses named after Hyderabad.

Students from Hyderabad were a prominent presence till the 1960s, while now the school has only a dozen students who hail from the city.

However, Doon is now trying to reconnect with students from the Telugu-speaking States. “We find that students from AP and Telangana flourish and thrive with us intellectually, creatively and sportingly and we want to further strengthen it,” the school’s headmaster Peter Mclaughlin told The Hindu .

Headmaster Peter Mclauchlin says the prestigious school is trying to reconnect to students from theTelugu-speaking States.– Photo: Special Arrangement
Headmaster Peter Mclauchlin says the prestigious school is trying to reconnect to students from theTelugu-speaking States.– Photo: Special Arrangement

Dr. Maclaughlin, who was in Hyderabad to speak to parents and students on the education Doon offered, said efforts had been made to make the school more democratic and meritocratic.

“The educational landscape is changing dramatically in India, and historic schools cannot sit on past glory. Such an attitude is a great enemy,” he said, revealing that school has students from diverse social and economic background.

To maintain such diversity, the school has consciously made efforts to admit meritorious children from economically backward sections of society. Around 40 per cent students get some scholarship, including a 100 per cent concession on fee. After the Central Government discontinued its scholarship scheme, it is the school’s alumni who are supporting such students.

‘An all-India school’

Dr. Maclaughlin reminds that India is fractured by regional, religious and ethnic mindset.

“They take pride in their identity, but are rooted to their Indianess. An all-India school like ours offers precisely such an atmosphere, where students thrive on learning from each other and respect other’s values.”

Dr. Maclaughlin felt students from southern India gravitate more towards science and math, while those from the north have interests in commerce and economics. Southern students also show a keen interest in creative arts like music and dance. They are more focussed too, he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by R. Ravikanth Reddy / Hyderabad – April 06th, 2015

Marathis of city very much part of TS: Nayani

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence

Home Minister Nayani Narasimha Reddy on Friday told Maharashtrians in the twin cities that they were not ‘Marathis’ but ‘Tela-nganites’, recalling that they were steadfast in their support for a separate State.

Speaking at a function organised by the Vivek Vardhini Educational Society, marking the birth anniversary of its founder, Vishnu Vaman Shiwarkar, that was also part of the Jagatik Marathi Divas, and attended by Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mohd. Mahmood Ali, he said that the Marathis were always ahead in the service of people.

Support promised

“When we organised the first meeting for a separate Telangana in 1969, no one gave us a venue and it was in these very grounds that we held it. When the Nizam welcomed you, why can’t we make you feel comfortable? Any problems you have, I will take it up with the Chief Minister,” he said amid applause.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – February 28th, 2015

Eshwari Bai Biography to be Introduced in School Syllabus

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Hyderabad :

A lesson on the life of Eshwari Bai, former politician, will be introduced in the school syllabus in Telangana, chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said here on Tuesday.

Speaking at the award presenting ceremony of Eshwari Bai Memorial Award – 2015, Rao said the new syllabus will feature biographies of several other leaders of Telangana like G Venkataswamy as well.

The state government will also officially celebrate the birth and death anniversaries of Eshwari Bai, the CM promised. When Eshwari Bai Trust approached the chief minister for attending the award ceremony, he not only gave a nod immediately but also promised to make it a state government function.

Every year the government will coordinate with the trust to organise grand celebrations on both birth and death anniversaries of Eshwari Bai. The CM further said, Eshwari Bai was a great leader and she will remain an inspiration to the younger generation. “Her speeches have been widely quoted in the Telangana movement and are still relevant,” he added.

The Eshwari Bai Memorial Award – 2015 was given to retired bureaucrat and former secretary to Union government Dr PS Krishnan. Though he belongs to Kerala, Krishnan had worked in the united Andhra Pradesh for a long time and he is very familiar with the developments in Telugu States way back from the inception of Telangana movement.

Congress leader Geeta Reddy, daughter of Eshwari Bai, praised the state government for honouring Eshwari Bai by officially celebrating her death anniversary. Jana Reddy said, “This is a good move that the state government has recognised the great personalities of Telangana irrespective of the political differences. I hope this will be followed in future.”

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by Express News Service / February 25th, 2015