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Orissa Review * February - March - 2009 The Gajapathi Palace : An Architectural Marvel Gopi Nath Gajapathi In today's fast-changing scenario of styles and Chennai's Marina beach front. Thanks to habits, heritage lifestyle beckons tourism, which INTACH and others committed to restoration, is an oft repeated adage. The lead roles played this magnificent piece of architecture in Chennai by the State Tourism Departments and in got a new lease of life and has been restored to particular, the various Chapters of Indian National its former glory. On 4th September, 2006 the Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) President of India re-dedicated the newly in protecting, preserving and restoring the rich renovated building to coincide with the 150th architectural and cultural heritage of Indian are Anniversary of the University of Madras. indeed commendable. Under Chisholm's watchful eye and expert Now, let us focus our attention on a guidance, a spectacular edifice in the form of the remotely-located town of Paralakhemundi, in the Gajapathi Palace and according to many, Gajapati District of southern Orissa. The far- comparable to the architectural similarity of the sighted concept of a permanent residential abode famed Buckingham Palace of London, was the for the Gajapathi Rulers of Parlakimedi belonging ultimate product of the sustained toil by the skilled to the Ganga Dynasty was finalized on the 20th artisans and dedicated labourers. The Gajapathi May, 1835. On that eventful day, a landmark Palace was actually constructed between 1835- decision was taken and necessary funds were 1843, during the reign of Jagannath Narayan Deo allocated for the construction of the historical - III. It is a sturdy double-storied building made Gajapathi Palace at Paralakhemundi. From the of stone, wood, brick and marble. The roofs are Paralakhemundi Samasthan funds of constructed with teakwood beams and purloins. Rs.24,71,000/-, an amount of Rs.4,50,000/- was They are strongly supported by pillars of stone sanctioned in the year 1835 to the British as well as Burma teak. Both the storey are Architect, Robert Fellows Chisholm for the design provided with long and wide verandahs. There and construction of a new Royal Palace. The are around 80 well-ventilated rooms inside the Gajapathi Palace is a harmonious blend of Indo- Palace. Spacious courtyards on either wing of the Saracenic style combined with Byzantine and Palace add to the luxury and grandeur. The doors European architectural features. It is practically and windows of teakwood are large and arched. similar in design to Chisholm's wonderful creation Thick walls, made of well-polished red brick with of the Senate House later in 1873, adorning white lime-mortar pointing type of design, stand 1 Orissa Review * February - March - 2009 tall. At the entrance of the Singhadwar (main gate), by the Members of the Royal Family and the statues of two reclining lions are placed on either Palace Priests every day. The Palace also has its side over two raised platforms. A massive recreations retreats like a fully-furnished billiards decorative iron gate stands anchored between two room and a permanent cement tennis court. Past tall gombujas (round-shaped minarets) having champions like Ghous Mohammed and E.V.Bob staircases. A large mounted metal bell of foreign have enthralled the local tennis enthusiasts, with origin is situated at the main entrance. It is struck their brilliant display in exhibition tennis matches manually by a heavy wooden mallet to indicate at Paralakhemundi. The Gajapathi Press was also accurate hourly time to the Palace and the general installed within the Palace, rendering invaluable public of the town. The daily routine, on the public service for the propagation of Oriya language and demand, continues to remain in practice to this day. literature. The centre of attraction of the Palace is the Prominent among the appurtenances to the stately Durbar Hall. It's gilt decorated walls and Palace are the long three-rowed Poili Sahis intricate wooden trellis-work are further (servant's quarters) inside the Palace compound. embellished with other traditional works of art. It The annex to the Palace, styled as the Dababado is located in the middle of the Palace consisting is an open compound of approximately eight of two main wings, the Raja Mahal and the Rani acres extent. It was used as a grazing ground for Mahal. So symmetrical is the construction that the Palace cattle and was also utilized as a when one stands on the axis (centre line) of the playground for the students of Maharaja's High Place and makes comparison of both the wings, School and College. High quality cricket matches it is found that one half appears to be exactly the were also played at this venue. A mini Zoo, mirror image of the other half ! Main functions comprising of representative samples of Indian Council meetings and Royal Family celebrations fauna, was also maintained inside this compound. were being held in the Durbar Hall with much Elephants as well as horses were retained in their pomp and gaiety. Right behind the Durbar Hall, respective spacious stables. A row of garages, there is a stone-ornated kalyan mandap, where for Rolls Royces, Mercedes Benz and other luxury sacred-thread ceremonies and even marriage motor-cars, is situated in the backyard. At least functions were performed. Well-appointed half a dozen perennial open wells inside the bedrooms with bathrooms, drawing rooms, dining compound, cater to the running-water halls, kitchens, puja rooms as well as spacious requirements of the Palace and its walled gardens. store rooms have been provided in both the wings Indeed, the Gajapathi Palace of the 19th of the Palace. The Gantaghar (strong-room) as century symbolizes an engineering feat par well as an armoury room are the other prime excellence. Its exquisite stone and woodwork, provisions in the Gajapathi Palace. ancient kerosene-gas lighting system, combined The chosen family deity, Istadevi with the cultural ethos of the region make its Manikeswari occupies the customary place location and appearance unique. It is designed to beside the Palace kitchen. Her choice blessings remain cool in summer and keep warm during have remained profound on the protection and the cold winter months. Granite pillars, Burma teak well-being of the Parlakimedi Raj Parivar. Special beams, imported stained-glass windows, artistic Pujas are performed to Goddess Manikeswari grills and other rare materials used in the building, 2 Orissa Review * February - March - 2009 speak volumes of the quality and lifestyle of its end to these kinds of senseless destruction and generation of owners as well as the skilled must therefore voice our concern effectively in workforce. This marvelous heritage building is appropriate fora. strategically located in the border region of Orissa The former Member of Parliament of and Andhra Pradesh. As regards its historical Berhampur Constituency and scion of the importance, the seeds of a separate statehood Parlakimedi Royal Family, Shri Gopi Nath for the Oriya-speaking people were germinated Gajapathi has fervently appealed to the State in the Gajapathi Palace precincts. Way back, the Government as well as INTACH, to take up 10th session of Utkal Sammilani held on the 26th necessary repair works for restoration of the and 27th December, 1914 at Paralakhemundi was Gajapathi Palace, without further delay. This presided over by the Ruler of Jeypore, Maharaja onerous task is also being actively pursued with Vikram Dev Verma and ably organized by the interested distinguished personalities like Shri Lalit young Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapathi of Mansingh India's former Ambassador to the USA, Paralakhemundi. In fact, the auspicious birth of Shri Abasar Behuria India's former Ambassador the illustrious son of Orissa, Maharaja Krushna to Madagaskar, Shri Jatin Das the dynamic Head Chandra Gajapathi, who became the first Premier of JD Centre of Art, Shri Prafulla Chandra Dhir of Orissa State, had taken place in the very same renowned Photographic expert and Shri Gajapathi Palace. Further, as a pinnacle of G.Srinivas Murty Architect of repute from Andhra recognition of his glorious career, the Government Pradesh. The next important step would be its of India befittingly brought out a postage stamp preservation for posterity. This would be possible of the Creator of modern Orissa and a First-day by working out a self-sustaining system, like cover carrying the facsimile of the Gajapathi converting part of the Gajapathi Palace into a Palace, coinciding with the Maharaja's birth museum/heritage hotel in partnership with the centenary, in the year 1992. Department of Tourism, for providing the The Gajapathi Palace also happens to be necessary promotion and publicity needed for a cultural centre of Orissa State. Eminent marketing. personalities, State heads like Governors, Chief One can, with a degree of certainty, assert Ministers and high dignitaries keep visiting the that old is really gold. Let us not forget the writing Palace in an unending stream. But alas! The on the wall, "Heritage once lost, is lost for ever". present condition of the Gajapathi Palace is such Whether this dire necessity will see the light of that this heritage building has been lamenting day and the past glory preserved, only time will silently for its speedy restoration. The visiting tell. When accomplished, the architectural marvel dignitaries have expressed only lip sympathy until prominently symbolized by the Gajapathi Palace now. For them all, it is a case of "Out of sight, out that continues to fascinate, will bear ample of mind". Further, everyday somewhere in the testimony to a bygone era of unparalleled regal country, a heritage building is being pulled down splendour. in the name of progress and development. Invaluable works of art and manuscript are simply discarded, without proper documentation and Gopi Nath Gajapathi is the grandson of Shri Krushna record.

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