New Modern Construction and Complexes around Kapali Temple will result in permanent and long term damage to the Heritage Zone - Former ASI archeologist T Satyamurthi
If you have to demolish dilapidated buildings, do so but in its place build only Traditional Styled small houses taking into account heritage value and not Multi Storied buildings
Last week this section had featured a story on the grievances expressed by the residents of the Kapaleeswarar Temple zone on the proposed large scale demolition of buildings around the temple and the plan of Temple Activist, TR Ramesh, President, Temple Worshippers Society (https://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2021/07/kapali-temple-surrounds-large-scale.html).
This story takes a look at the suggestions made by retired ASI archeologist T Satyamurthi who has been involved in the preservation of temples across the state. He has clear views on what should be done around the heritage zone in Mylapore in light of the new plans announced by the HR & CE recently.
Preserve the Heritage Zone, Don't Construct Complexes
Having worked for long on aspects relating to preservation of temple zones, he says that the rich heritage zone around the Sri Kapaleeswarar temple has to be preserved “The space around Kapaleeswarar temple has got a sacred atmosphere of its own. I would say that there is no need for a demolition. However, if some of the old buildings around the temple are in a dilapidated state and are outdated and if they have to be necessarily brought down, they can demolish the buildings taking the safety aspects into account after recording the current state of each of these buildings but the temple should not construct complexes in that space.”
Satyamurthi cites the example of action taken in Tirupathi Divya Desam just around a decade ago “When the then CM directed the demolition of buildings around the temple, they ensured that new constructions did not come and kept it open. They provided accommodation to the staff in another place. In the same way, they could provide alternative accommodation to temple staff in the Mylapore area.”
Also, he wonders as to why the temple authorities did not plan the accomodation for staff in the past especially when they spent so much money on the construction of the Kalyana Mandapam on Greenways Road "During that phase, they could have made arrangements to provide accommodation to the staffers. Even now, given the amount of lands they own in and around Mylapore, they can easily provide accomodation to the staff."
Build only Traditional styled houses for quarters
Specifically on the proposed plan to demolish the entire set of houses on Kumara Gurunathan street, Satyamurthi said that only traditional styled houses should be built and not modern buildings and complexes. "My view is that if the demolition does take place because some of the buildings are very old and in dilapidated condition, they should keep the place open so that devotees can have a better view of the temple as they walk around the zone. If homes are to be provided to the current staffers, they can build traditional styled small row houses. Construction of multi storied buildings around the temple will result in loss of aesthetics and go against the principles of preservation of historical temples."
Short Sighted Approach
He also said that usually such demolition and construction of new complexes is short sighted in nature and approach. Given that the Kapaleesawarar temple is a Paadal Petra Sthalam and several centuries old, one has to take the rich history of the temple into account as well as the next hundreds of years before taking a decision relating to new constructions and complexes. A new and modern construction could result in permanent long term damage to this heritage zone though there may be some short term benefits such as car parking.
Only Restoration, No new Modern Tiled Construction
As one who has worked for long on preservation of temples in Tamil Nadu and been involved in these processes, I would say that if they are interested in the preservation of architecture and the aesthetics of this zone, the area should be restored to open zones without encroachments. Only restoration can place in such sacred zone and not large scale modern construction.
Temple Tourism aspects
Even from a temple tourism point of view, modern complexes and multi storied buildings around the temple will take away the aesthetic beauty of this sacred zone. Preserving the heritage value of the temple surroundings actually contributes to improvement in devotion. In the long run, new big constructions and complexes will result in a big distraction for the devotees, he said.