It will be befitting tribute to ‘empress of Goalparia lok sangeet’: CM
HT Bureau
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GUWAHATI, Jan 2: The Hawa Mahal, the official residence of the royal family of Gauripur built by Prabhat Chandra Baruah, has been officially handed over to the state government for renovation and for its development into a museum.
Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, on Monday, visited Gauripur town in Dhubri district to attend the ceremonial handing over of the authority of ‘Hawa Mahal’.
It was the residence of late Pratima Pandey Baruah, the doyen of Goalparia folk music.
The state government paid an amount of Rs 15.20 crore to the family members of Pratima Pandey Baruah for parting with the ownership of their ancestral property.
Addressing a public meeting correlating with the event, the chief minister said converting the Hawa Mahal into a heritage monument and a museum would be an appropriate tribute towards the “empress of Goalparia lok sangeet” for her extraordinary work in the field of art and music.
Stressing that the lack of scientific approach in preserving the Hawa Mahal and items associated with it were leading to its gradual decay and destruction, the chief minister exuded confidence that Monday’s formal handing over of ownership would ensure the structure with great historical significance would receive its due care and attention from now onwards.
Referring to the Hawa Mahal as the place from where Goalparia folk music spread far and wide across the country, the chief minister said the government would ensure the sentiments of the people of Gauripur would be taken care of, while developing the premises.
He said that the aim was to complete the renovation and restoration by December 2023 and open Hawa Mahal for the public from January 1, 2024 onwards.
Stating that a community cannot thrive for long, if it severs its ties with its history and the past, the chief minister appealed to the residents of Dhubri district to rise above religious and ethnic compartments and unite under one umbrella for preservation of the area’s rich and varied indigenous beliefs and culture.
The state cabinet had taken a decision on Oct 7, 2022 to preserve the cultural contribution of the singer and to preserve her birthplace as a heritage centre.
A list of both movable and immovable properties have been prepared by the late singer’s brother Prabir Coomar Barua and handed over to the state government.
The palace was built in 1914 by Prabhat Chandra Barua of the Gauripur royal family on a small hill-top called Matiabagh on the banks of the Gadadhar river.
Construction of the palace began in 1904 during World War I and it took 10 years to be completed.
The Hawa Mahal was built at a cost of Rs 3,40,000. The palace features elements of Hindu, Mughal and British architecture.
Hawa Mahal was used mainly as a royal guest house and as a summer residence by the family.
