There is a reason why heritage buildings in Cubbon Park such as Attara Kacheri (High Court), Seshadri Iyer Memorial Library and the State Archaeological Museum were painted in yellow tones of ochre and Pompeian red.
Built in the mid and late 19th century by the British, these buildings were painted with “the specific altered yellow tone” on the orders of British Chief Engineer of the then Mysore State Richard Sankey after the sensational discovery of the Roman towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum. “Although the vivid frescoes in Pompeii and Herculaneum were originally said to be ochre before Mount Vesuvius blew its top in 79 AD and buried the city, the gases emitted turned the original yellow into dark red that came to be known as Pompeian red. Most Britishers wanted to use this new hue in their work,” said Pankaj Modi, conservation architect, INTACH.
This is just one of the interesting architectural details that Mr. Modi will be talking about in INTACH’s February Parichay on Sunday (February 26). The heritage buildings sitting snugly at the periphery of the 197-acre park will be discussed from an architectural and historical perspective.
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“There is more to the Victorian, Colonial, and Gothic designs of the buildings. The buildings stand as an example of the combined imagination and creativity of Sir John Meade, who as the acting Commissioner of Mysore State conceptualised the park, and Richard Sankey, who was the architect,” said Mr. Modi.
Cubbon Park was envisioned to be in the centre of the city — between Kempegowda old city and Cantonment area. “The park’s vegetation, buildings, and sculptures merge with the surroundings, although the entrance points were not really planned. Entry points are something that evolve spontaneously in a natural setting,” Mr. Modi added.
Each structure inside the park such as the State Central Library, High Court, State Archaeology Museum, Band Stand, Venkatappa Art Gallery, and the aquarium have distinct features that reflect the city’s colonial past.
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“We want to showcase to people the speciality of these buildings, such as the High Court’s Greco-Roman styles visible in the pillars, arches and decorated ceilings, walls and open verandahs,” said Mr. Modi.
Open to all
The INTACH- Parichay at Cubbon Park on the morning of February 26 is for anyone who would like to know more about the architecture of Bengaluru’s buildings. “It is not just meant for architecture students. Anyone curious to know why a building is built a particular way can be a part of the event,” Meera Iyer, co-convenor INTACH-Bengaluru, said. For details or registration, send an email to intach.blr@gmail.com .