HYDERABAD: On the occasion of World Heritage Day on April 18, the Department of Archaeology and Museums, Telangana State, will be conducting a special programme-Reviving Residency at the Koti Women’s College in Osmania University. The programme will mark the completion of the first phase of conservation of the historic building that started in the year 2014.
Besides releasing a manual, a step-by-step account of the conservation process, a Memorandum of Understanding will be jointly signed by the World Monument Fund, the department and Koti Women’s College, Osmania University, for the second phase of conservation.
“The Telangana Heritage (Protection, Preservation, Conservation and Maintenance) Act, 2017 was passed on Sunday and it provides for creation of Telangana Heritage Fund. This occasion is also an opportunity for us to showcase the processes of conservation.
We want to spread awareness about the time taking process, the elements that go into the conservation process and those interested can help with some donations too,” explained NR Visalatchy, director, Department of Archaeology and Museums.
The Koti Residency or the British Residency, which is more than 200 years old, was a mansion constructed by James Achilles Kirkpatrick, a British resident in Hyderabad who lived there along with his Indian wife, Khair-un-Nissa Begum.
In 1949, the Osmania University College for Women, Koti (established in 1924) was shifted into this building and it was declared a protected monument
William Darylmple, Scottish historian and author in his book, ‘The While Mughals’ narrates this love story and he too will be present at the occasion, narrating the story while Vidya Shah, singer and muscian will be performing musical compositions from that era.
Phase I of the conservation has been completed where emergency repairs to the Durbar Hall Building, restoring the authentic facade of the western balcony, reconstruction of Madras Terrace Roof and wooden root, and making the Durbar Hall waterproof was taken up. A photo exhibition of the conservation process will be on display at 6:30 pm today.