We had raised the issue of the deliberate destruction of one of the most beautiful heritage buildings in the heart of Calicut city ( see
our post of March 2009). Although we had been lending our feeble voice to those who were opposed to the closure of the factory and the sale of the real estate, we noticed that it did not come to much, as the parties on the opposite side were not only more powerful but were smarter than us.
But as we had not lost hope in the rule of law, we petitioned the Chief Secretary, Government of Kerala requesting his intervention in preventing the demolition of this heritage structure which is a living monument to a unique experiment in social engineering through industrialization at a time when the Industrial Revolution was unfolding in England.
The Chief Secretary was extremely prompt in asking for a report from the Director Archaeology. We facilitated the Director's visit to the factory premises in September 2013. What we found inside was heart-rending. It is difficult to describe the deliberate neglect of machinery and facilities by those whose only aim is to see that the factory is closed down and the land sold for real estate development.
We thought our feelings would be best expressed in the following pictures which we took with the permission of the staff in the office. Where possible, we have juxtaposed these with pictures of how these looked when these were installed more than a century ago. We hope the State Government and the Archaeology Department will wake up to the heritage value of the factory and the building!
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The building today
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| The building more than a 100 years ago |
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| The new weaving hall at its inauguration in 1897 |
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| weaving hall today |
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| weaving hall today |
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| Reeling room in 1897 |
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| Embriodery hall in 1910 |
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| Embroidery hall as converted today |
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| A poignant reminder of the day the factory was closed in 2008- a calendar in the weaving hall which shows the next instalment due for a chit with the KSFE! |
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| Some workers protesting outside the main building. We heard stories that the majority of the workers (or their leaders, at least) have been bought over by the real estate lobby which has planned to grab the prized land!) |
It looks like a well planned affair to "grab" the Land in the most central place in Calicut.#Why is the government dragging its feet?The Commonwealth Trust products are beyond description for their quality, beauty and design!Selfish interests have "Raped and killed" this institurion
ReplyDeleteWe are thankful to you for taking interest on this heritage property. Every stone there has a tale to tell. We are on an uphill task, but will not give up.
ReplyDeleteJayaprakash Raghaviah
Is it not a contradiction that the so called literate , educated and arrogant Malayali has become the enemy of his cultural landmarks and antiquity? Politicians who are after everything except the interest of the people has become our curse and who are going to protect our interests? The judiciary? Can we plan a people's movement?
ReplyDeleteA pity...there is so much that could have been preserved at Calicut, considering what I see at other places I have traveled to..The history of this town is so unique that it is important to preserve what we can, for the generations that will follow..CHF is doing a great thing taking this up...
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