Tipu’s Sultan’s Summer Palace in Bengaluru is all set to go beyond just being a tourist spot. The space will accommodate collaborative programmes from external agencies willing to join hands with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Besides the Summer Palace, the ASI has selected monuments under its jurisdiction across the country for such events, says T. Arun Raj, Superintending Archaeologist, ASI, Bengaluru Circle.
Many monumentsMr. Raj said ASI has drawn up a long list of monuments across the country for opening them for cultural events. That includes Tipu Palace in Bengaluru, the famed fort of Chitradurga in Central Karnataka, Hampi in Northern Karnataka, Mahabalipuram in Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu, Ajantha & Ellora in Maharashtra, Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh and Taj Mahal in Agra.
“Agencies interested in collaborating with ASI have to write to us in detail, and only on the Director-General’s approval will the programmes be sanctioned,” said Mr. Raj.
Tipu’s Palace and the Chitradurga Fort that come under the Bangalore Circle would be opened up for now. To start with, it would consider collaborative programmes to coincide with some of the national celebrative days as Independence Day, Republic Day, National Heritage Day, National Museum Day or Gandhi Jayanti. INTACH, that collaborated with the ASI for Heritage Day celebrations at Tipu’s Fort with talks and music concert recently, is happy with ASI’s initiative.
“It would be something rare to have cultural events coming up at Tipu’s Palace. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see heritage monuments behind locked doors springing up to becoming vibrant cultural spaces?” says Meera Iyer, co-convener, INTACH, Bangalore.
The Bengaluru eventThe Independence Day special programme at the Tipu’s Palace at Chamarajpet will see the opening of a Publication Sales Counter on its premises. Guide books, ASI publications, research journals and books on Indian archaeology would be available.
