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Light house of enlightenment

PHOTO: T. SINGARAVELOU

STANDING TALL The lighthouse that will soon become a museum

Among the many heritage structures on Goubert Avenue, one stands tall. This imposing structure will no longer be just another old construction on Puducherry’s famous beachfront landscape, but an educational tourist spot that will tell long-forgotten tales of port civilizations. The ancient, 27-metre tall lighthouse, which has been closed to the public for many years now, will soon be converted into a museum.

An initiative proposed by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), the museum will house artefacts, photographs and paintings, mapping the various port cities along the Coromandel Coast. It will showcase ports as a gateway to the world, elaborating on cultural exchanges between port cities with other countries since ancient times. It will have information on maritime activities, trade practices, political and administrative systems, and lifestyles in port cities, since the medieval and the colonial period.

The story of Puducherry too, dating from settlements that began during pre historic times, will be described. The coastal town’s Roman connection will be established with the help of artefacts unearthed at the archaeological site of Arikamedu.

“The aim is to showcase our own history, not just by means of exhibits, but also through interactive programmes, and thus promote the museum as a cultural center,” says Suresh Kumar Pillai of the IGNCA. “We hope to collaborate with the Archaeological Survey of India and other institutions in South India to conduct research and procure artefacts for the museum,” he says.

The IGNCA had conducted an exhibition on the oceanic culture of India at the old lighthouse earlier this year. Later, it was proposed to be made into a permanent museum, with the Union Minister for Planning, Parliamentary Affairs and Culture, V. Narayanasamy promising his support.

“When we had planned the exhibition, the building was in a dilapidated condition. The building had to be preserved before conducting the exhibition,” informs Mr. Pillai. The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has also proposed to give a facelift to the façade of the building, before the museum is set up.

Presently occupied by the Department of Customs and Excise offices, this 173- year- old building is of historical value. In the early days, Red Hills to the north of town served as a guide for seafarers. It was on July 1, 1896, that this lighthouse, situated at the edge of the sea near the Place de Gouvernement, was lighted for the first time. The oil lamp that was placed 29 metres above sea level was visible from a distance of 29 kilometres.

In 1931, a revolving 1000-watt lamp replaced this fixed lamp. But soon, the new lamp started giving trouble and caused a lot of inconvenience to the ships. So in 1970, when a new lighthouse was proposed to be built outside the town, this one was abandoned. Eventually tourists were also barred entry.

After all these years, tourists can once again gain access to this monument as it joins the list of prolific museums in Puducherry

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