INTACHBangalore Chapter

Oriental Research Institute, Mysore

ORI is a storehouse of 75000 exceptionally rare and valuable books and documents alongside more than 30000 palm leaf manuscripts on religion, mythology, politics, Ayurveda, sculpture, architecture and more. It was a privilege for INTACH Bangalore to be entrusted with the restoration of this 125 year old institution. The work was completed in October 2013.

Project team
Client – Mysore University
Funding agency – US Consulate, Chennai
Project coordination – Aravind Chandramohan, INTACH
Conservation architect – Krupa Rajangam, Saythu
Civil contractor – Nilesh Shah
Photo: before and after – ppt document

NIMHANS, Bangalore

Work started on the conservation of the Old OPD Building or Children's Pavilion in late 2012. The brief was to adapt the space to showcase the history of NIMHANS from its beginnings as a lunatic asylum in the colonial period to its current status as one of India's largest mental healthcare institutions. Using state of the art digital technology and new media, various milestones and achievements of the institute are displayed in the restored heritage space. The project was completed in October 2013.

Project team
Team lead and INTACH technical coordinator: Pankaj Modi
Technology partner: EDC

Conservation Plans and Reports

Lawrence School, Lovedale, Ootacamund
INTACH Bangalore was hired as a consultant to prepare a CP for the heritage buildings in this sprawling 700 acre property.
Completed December 2012.

RBANMS
INTACH Bangalore was asked to prepare a preliminary report for the conservation of two 120 year old buildings that belong to the RBANMS Educational Charities, Bangalore.
Completed March 2013.

Datthapeetha

Datthapeetha restoration

Restoration work in progress

Datthapeetha restoration

Protection and strengthening measures for laterite cave shrine of Sri Guru Dattatreya Swamy and Bababudan Dargah at Inam Dattatreya Peetha (Datthapeetha), Baba Budangiri Hills, Chikkamagaluru Dist.

A committee was formed with INTACH as a member to arrive at causes for collapse of a portion of the cave and also to recommend comprehensive solutions to enhance safety and durability of the structure for visitors.

Melukote Restoration Work (Ongoing)

Melukote steps

Lime mortar replastering works as part of restoration of Mantapa

Library building

Library building - Melukote

Work continues on the restoration of the steps and mantapas en route leading to the Sri Yoga Narasimha temple, Melkote.

Gangubai Hangal, Museum, Dharwad

The late Smt Gangubai Hangal was a Hindustani vocalist of unparalleled repute. INTACH Bangalore restored the vernacular style house where this music legend was born in 1913 and where she spent her childhood. The building now houses the Gangotri Museum with exhibits on Gangubai Hangal and on Indian classical music - a wonderful example of adaptive reuse of an old building.

The project came about when the State Government of Karnataka bought the crumbling house in 2007 and decided to dedicate it to the life and times of Smt Hangal.

INTACH Bangalore was asked by the then District Commissioner of Hubli-Dharwad, S Srikar, to undertake the restoration of this humble yet historic space.

Led by conservation architect, Pankaj Modi, the house was restored using conventional burnt bricks and replastered in mud mortar. See more about the project here.

Tipu's Armoury

Before restoration

Photo: Meera Iyer

Tipu's Armoury before restoration

After restoration

Photo: Meera Iyer

Tipu's Armoury after restoration

In December 2002, INTACH, with an MoU with Department of Culture, Government of Karnataka, undertook conservation work at Tipu's armoury in Bangalore. The scope of work was limited to improving the surroundings and making the monument accessible.

The work was carried out with cooperation from Bangalore Mahanagara Palike which assisted in clearing the debris which had filled the sunken court and had accumulated inside the monument.

The retaining wall was shifted and the original steps leading to the monument were exposed after removal of the compound wall. A toilet built on the southern wall of the structure was also removed.

Restoration work at Mayo Hall

Before restoration

Photo: Meera Iyer

Mayo Hall before restoration

After restoration

Photo: Meera Iyer

Mayo Hall after restoration