‘Nawab Mahal’ restored with its pristine glory

MANIPAL: Once a status symbol of the nawabs of Deccan, ‘Deccani Nawab Mahal’ in the Hyderabad-Karnataka region which was on the verge of sale has been restored in the Hastha Shipla Heritage Village, Manipal.

‘Nawab Mahal’, now restructured in the Heritage Village, is said to have been built in the latter part of the 18th century. Vijayanath Shenoy, who was the prime mover of the restoration, said the Nawabs had been bequeathed the property in the form of land by the kings of the Kutubshahi dynasty.

As their (Nawabs) successors fell on bad times in recent decades and could not maintain their royal status, the Mahal was slated to be sold.

The successors on condition of anonymity took the restorers to the Mahal site blindfolded. “When we opened our eyes we found an oasis in the Deccan desert,” Shenoy said.

According to Shenoy, who is also an art and music lover, Deccan architecture is a mixture of different forms. Though the building structure reflected Islamic style, it had all the status symbols of that period.

The nawabs wanted to exhibit their grandeur and wealth to the world. Shenoy said: “We have restored Belgium glasses, German tiles and lamps, Austrian chandeliers, Bidriwares (in which black soil found in a particular fort has been used as the medium of colour), artistic wine jars, ‘Hukka’, hunting weapons, wildlife trophies, designer cots and cradles, metal staircase imported by the Nawabs from Burmingham and musical instruments, etc from the Mahal”.

“If we had not on the right time, this Mahal would have been transferred to the hands of some star hoteliers. Of course they will restore the Mahal, but it would not have been in the reach of the common man,” Shenoy added. He wants to retain the pristine glory to the restructured Mahal.

As the nawabs were ardent lovers of music and music was an integral the part of the Deccani Nawab culture, a music concert was organised on Thursday evening, the inaugural day. Noted musician Sandip Chatterji of Kolkatta performed Santoor recital in the durbar hall of the Mahal.

Shenoy said celebrated musicians like Fias Khan, Bade Moti Bai and Kareem Khan had performed under the same roof. Earlier well-known artist in Vijayanagara style of art, Vijaya Hagaragundi from Gulbarga inaugurated the restructured Nawab Mahal.