Temple Terracottas of Bengal

The following is a link from Mukukl Dey Archive :

Temple Terracottas of Bengal

His book has not been reprinted .... therefore a rare one. I shall be thankful if someone in possession of the same kindly gives me access the same for my work on Iconography of terra cotta temples of Bengal.

Damodar temple @ Bahirgarh,West Bengal (India)

Restoration of Damodar temple , dt: Hooghly, WB

During 18th and 19th centuries, a no of terracotta temples were built in Bengal (currently West Bengal state of India and Bangla Desh) some of which are quite beautiful. Not only that the terracotta panels have artistic value and religious importance, but also they portray slices of social life of those days. Some of these temples have been restored through Archeological dept of Government.... you can see a panel from one of these temples among my posts : http://www.flickr.com/photos/cshyamal/389912490/ .Yet there are many more temples which need restoration and each monsoon eats into the life of these temples, heritage of our state.

A few days' ago , I visited the Archeological Museum of Bengal, located in Calcutta in connection with some work I am doing on terracotta when I learnt from Mrs Sumita Guha Sarkar ,an Executive of this Museum , that she is a member of a NGO named 'Aishee' which is engaged in restoration of a terracotta temple ( Damodar temple @ Bahirgarh, district Hooghly, West Bengal) built in the 18th century. The cost of restoration , estimated by a professional colleague of hers is Rs 200000/- which is approximately $5000/-.

On learning about my interest in terracotta, she and other members of 'Aishee' have requested me to appeal to persons who are intersted in this form of art for suport for their endeavour. I write this blog on behalf of members of 'Aishee' addressing to persons interested in this form of art.. I shall seek the Reader's help in two counts :

#Can you please help 'Aishee' through your like-minded friends , associates and colleagues ? Even if only 20 persons contribute $20/- this 'cause',the contribution add to the local support for the budget for restoration of this temple.

#Can you please help by suggesting other avenues for raising support for restoration of this temple? Please view my page @ Orkut (http://www.orkut.com/Album.aspx?uid=6316116344674143096)
to go through 'Aishe's brochure.

NATIONAL LIBRARY, CALCUTTA

The National Library came into being in 1948 with the passing of the Imperial Library (Change of Name) Act,1948.In the same year, it was shifted to Belverdre Estate,its present location which was the former Viceregal palace.

The stately mansion with its varied facade evolved from out of the fancies of a no distinguished owners whose names have made history.

the earliest name associated with this building is that of Mir Jaffar Ali Khan,the Nawab Nazim of Murshidabad.It was only natural that Alipore was named after him.Reportedly, Belvedre Estate was favourite residence of Warren Hastings.

Not a pure form of architecture ...Italian renaissance overlaid on an ordinary Anglo-Indian building,it is pleasing to the eye with the setting of lawns, trees ans a nice garden at its front.





Source : Information Brochure of the National Library.

IN SEARCH OF A NEW PATH

I thought of getting associated with Heritage structures of Bengal when I would become free from my professional life.

Now that my contract with DCIPS will not be extended , I shall have time before I settle down to a new routine.

Three weeks ago, when I came to Kala Mandir with Ruby to attend to the function of physically-challenged boys and girls organised by Syoumen's wife, I noticed the small signpost of West Bengal Heritage Commission in a building opposite to Kala Mandir.

I went there on 6/12/06 to explore the set-up , found out an office-room and couple of chambers housed on the first-floor of the State Archive building and met the two officials available . I expressed my interest in this area and was advised to come on any Thursday afternoon to meet their Chairman to discuss any possibility. Chairman of WBHC is an eminent person.... Dr Pratap Chandra Chunder . He is an old man , but , his background does invite respect. LF government of WB , reportedly, is the first State government in India to enact an Act for Heritage and chose a non-Left person as the Chairman.

The meeting went off fine , with the prospect of getting assignments in two areas from WBHC.First is the documentation of an identified building, when one will take photographs, find out old building plan or prepare a new plan by taking fresh measurements and write a submission stating why that particular building will be tagged a 'heritage building'.

Second area is monitoring the progress and quality of wok of restoration , which is normally done by panchayats.

I believe that I can be of use in other areas too. I can prepare POWERPOINT presentations to be made to Industrialists for fund and contact IIT-Alumnis for help.

I shall be truly happy if things progress in the right direction .It will be the plan Ruby and I are drafting for her paintings and boutique.