Heritage lovers have called for urgent steps to conserve them
P. Orr and Sons, the imposing and familiar monumental tower with clocks, a famous landmark on Anna Salai in the city is set to lose a portion of its property measuring 894 sq ft
Chennai: P. Orr and Sons, the imposing and familiar monumental tower with clocks, a famous landmark on Anna Salai in the city is set to lose a portion of its property measuring 894 sq ft. But the consolation is that a major portion of the structure is still intact. Many heritage buildings, including those on the arterial Anna Salai, boasting of colonial structures, are turning into a picture of neglect. Heritage lovers have called for urgent steps to conserve them before the buildings fade away entirely. “A city’s history or culture should not be rewritten by effacing the heritage structures or neglecting them under the pretext of development or commercialisation.
In fact, Chennai is identified by its unique heritage, and hence, steps should be taken to preserve the heritage buildings,” says N. Ravi, CEO, TourBoss.He claims that the Europeans, and particularly, Britons, visit Chennai to retrace their heritage. The owners of the buildings have been taking care of them in most cases. “But the government should fix the onus on certain departments to conserve the heritage structures,” he adds.
According to Mr S. Suresh, State Convenor of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (Intach), the perception of heritage differs from agency to agency and individual to individual, especially when it involves multiple buildings. “Some buildings have more heritage value than others. Their use for a modern purpose differs and one has to consider which is important. For instance, in the case of Madras University, the Senate Hall is the most important,” he said. Anna Salai is dotted with several heritage buildings, including Addison’s, Higginbothams, Agurchand Mansion, Electric Theatre, P. Orr & Sons, the Bata building, Gove bui-lding, Thousand Light Assembly Hall and Madras-I-Azam.
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