Heritage structures in Chennai

Chennai, with historically rich records dating at least from the time of the Pallavas, houses 2,467 heritage buildings within its metropolitan area (CMA), the highest within any metropolitan area limit in India.[1] Most of these buildings are around 200 years old and older.[2] Chennai is home to the second largest collection of heritage buildings in the country, after Kolkata.[3] The official list of heritage buildings was compiled by the Justice E. Padmanabhan committee.[4] The Tamil Nadu Assembly passed the Heritage Commission Act in 2012 to preserve old heritage structures.[5]

The structures will be categorised into three grades, namely, Grades I, II, and III. Grade I structures will be prime landmarks upon which no alterations will be permitted. Under Grade II, external changes on structures will be subject to scrutiny. Buildings under Grade III may be changed for 'adaptive reuse' with suitable internal and external changes.[6]

Heritage activism

Heritage buildings are defined as notified structures of historical, architectural, or cultural significance.[6] The heritage activism in the city began with the erstwhile Moore Market building fire in 1985.[7] In 1997, the state government initiated action to conserve heritage buildings. In 1998, a committee headed by Director of Town and Country Planning was constituted by the government to investigate aspects related to enactment of the Heritage Act.[8] In 1999, the committee submitted the draft of Tamil Nadu Heritage Conservation Act. In the same year, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) constituted a Heritage Conservation Committee to draft regulations to conserve heritage buildings and precincts in the Chennai Metropolitan Area (CMA).[8] After the second master plan for the city was approved by the government on 2 September 2008, special rules for conservation of heritage buildings/precincts came into force.[6] In 2010, the criteria for listing the heritage structures in the CMA region was finalised, and in 2011, the process of assessment and documentation of heritage structures began.[8] A 17-member Heritage Commission was set up in May 2012 to maintain these structures, after a fire accident in Kalas Mahal, a 244-year-old heritage building in front of Marina beach.[9] As per the Commission's mandate, heritage buildings that are listed will get incentives, such as exemption from payment of taxes, and offenders who deface or destroy them will face penal action.[1]

In 2012, a list of heritage buildings was released by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) under the heritage conservation committee's (HCC) supervision. Criteria considered for notification as heritage structure include period of construction, exhibited trend, events or persons associated with the structure, and design, style, designer, physical condition, and design integrity for architecturally significant buildings.[6] The CMDA was expected to clear the first list of 70 heritage buildings compiled by the HCC. However, in 2013, the process of notification was delayed after 65 owners objected to the inclusion of their premises in the list. The Heritage Conservation Committee, however, overruled their objections.[8] Of the structures/precincts that figure on the list, 42 are government buildings and the remaining are private ones. The government buildings include the main building of the College of Engineering Guindy under Anna University, Madras High Court, General Post Office, Music and Dance College, Saidapet Teachers' College and King Institute of Preventive Medicine. Theosophical Society is one of the private premises that are expected to get listed as a heritage structure. When a building is notified as a heritage structure, the onus of repair and maintenance of the heritage structure will be on the structure's owner.[6] In July 2018, documentation of the last phase covering 192 of the 467 buildings listed by Justice E. Padhmanaban Committee began.[8]

Grading of heritage structures

The heritage structures have been classified into three grades, viz. Grade I, II, and III. Grade I includes buildings and precincts of national or historical importance, with excellence in architecture, style and design. These structures remain the chief landmarks of the city. Save for some minimal changes approved by the Heritage Conservation Committee (HCC), no intervention, both on the interior and on the exterior, will be permitted in these structures. Grade II includes those structures of regional or local importance with special architectural or aesthetic merit, cultural or historical value. Although internal changes to the structures and adaptive reuse are allowed, here, too, external changes are allowed after scrutiny by the HCC. Extension or construction of additional buildings in the same plot are permissible as long as they are in harmony with the existing structure, especially in terms of facade and height. Grade III includes structures of importance for town spaces. These structures evoke architectural or aesthetic interest, but not as much as the Grade II structures. Changes to both external and internal portions of the buildings are generally permissible for Grade III buildings.[8]

Structures listed by the HCC

Prominent buildings on the HCC's list include:

Structures that remain to be documented include:

Buildings on the heritage list that do not exist any more include:

List of heritage structures

S.No Building Architectural style Year of
construction 		Architect Neighborhood Notes Image
1 Parthasarathy Temple dravidian architecture c. 6th century CE Triplicane Built by Narasimhavarman I. Considered the oldest structure in Chennai.[10]
2 Vedapureeswarar Temple Dravidian architecture Before 7th century CE Thiruverkadu Built by the Cholas
3 Descent of the Ganges Dravidian architecture c. 7th century CE Mahabalipuram One of the Group of Monuments at Mamallapuram that were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984.[11]
4 Kapaleeshwarar Temple Dravidian architecture c. 7th century CE Mylapore Built by the Pallava kings.
5 Thyagaraja Temple Dravidian architecture c. 7th century CE Tiruvottiyur Built by the Pallava kings.
6 Marundeeswarar Temple Dravidian architecture c. 7th century CE Thiruvanmiyur Expanded during the Chola dynasty.[12]
7 Porur Ramanatheswarar Temple Dravidian architecture c. 700 CE Porur Built by Kulothunga Cholan II during the Chola dynasty.
8 Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple Dravidian architecture Before 820 CE Thirunindravur Built during the Pallava's reign.[13]
9 Dhenupureeswarar Temple Dravidian architecture c. 957–970 CE Madambakkam Built during the reign of the Chola king, Parantaka Chola II, father of Raja Raja Chola I, who constructed the Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur. Consolidated with stones during the reign of Kulothunga Chola I.[14][15]
10 Masilamaniswarar Temple Dravidian architecture c. 9th or 10th century CE (before 970 CE) Thirumullaivoyal Built during the Chola era.[16][17]
11 Thiruporur Kandaswamy temple Dravidian architecture c. 10th century CE Thiruporur Built during the Pallava era.[18]
12 Tirusoolanathar Temple Dravidian architecture 11th century CE Tirusulam Built by Kulothunga Chola I around 11th century CE.[19]
13 Tiruvalithayam Tiruvallesvarar Temple Dravidian architecture c. 11th century CE Padi The temple dates back to several centuries earlier. The presiding deity of the temple is revered in the 7th-century Tamil Shaivite canonical work, the Tevaram.[20] Existing structure built during the reign of the Chola dynasty around 11th century CE.
14 Velveeswarar Temple Dravidian architecture c. 11th century CE Valasaravakkam Constructed by Kulothunga Chola I (reigned c. 1070–1122 CE).
15 Mylapore Karaneeswarar Temple Dravidian architecture c. 12th century CE Mylapore
16 Kundrathur Murugan Temple Dravidian architecture 12th century CE Kundrathur Built by Kulothunga Chola II (r. 1133–1150 CE).
17 Kurungaleeswarar Temple Dravidian architecture 12th century CE Koyambedu Dates back to the Kulothunga Chola period (c. 1133–1150 CE).
18 Saidapet Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal Temple Dravidian architecture c. 12th century CE[21] Saidapet Constructed by the Balija Chetty community under the aegis of the Vijayanagara monarchs.[22]
19 Kundrathur Kandhalheeswarar Temple Dravidian architecture Before 1241 CE Kundrathur Details of temple renovations from time to time are found in epigraphic findings dating back 1241 CE during the Rajaraja Chola period.[23]
20 Kundrathur Nageswarar Temple Dravidian architecture 12th century CE Kundrathur Built by Sekkilar during 12th century CE.[24]
21 Ekambareswarar–Valluvar Temple Dravidian architecture Before early 16th century CE Mylapore Also known as the Thiruvalluvar Temple. Built on an older structure that is said to be in existence since antiquity.[25]
22 Church of Our Lady of Light Herrerian 1516[26] Mylapore Built by Portuguese explorers in Mylapore Chennai and has a oldest Madonna Painting of Mary with Jesus up in the Altar.
23 Fort St. George 1640 George Town First major British settlements in India, leading to the foundation of the city of Madras. One of the 163 notified areas (megalithic sites) in the state of Tamil Nadu.[27]
24 Kalikambal Temple Dravidian architecture c. 1640 George Town Originally located by the seashore and was relocated to the current site in 1640 CE. Visited incognito by the Maratha warrior Shivaji on 3 October 1667.[28][29]: 384 
25 St Mary's Co-Cathedral 1658[30] George Town
26 Kandaswami Temple Dravidian architecture c. 1670s George Town Built by Maari Chettiar. The existing stone reinforcement was made during the early 1800s.[31]
27 St. Mary's Church 1680 Fort St. George
28 Dargha of Sufi Saint Syed Moosa Sha Khaderi 17th century Anna Salai
29 Kachchaleswarar Temple Dravidian architecture 1725 George Town Built by Kalavai Chetty, a 'dubash' working for the British East India Company, on a land belonging to him.[29]: 383 
30 Chennakesava Perumal Temple Dravidian architecture 1762 George Town Originally dates back to 1646, along with Mallikesvarar Temple as twin temples. Rebuilt in a new location in 1762.[32][33]
31 Mallikesvarar Temple Dravidian architecture 1762 George Town Originally dates back to 1646, along with Chennakesava Perumal Temple as twin temples. Rebuilt in a new location in 1762.[32][33]
32 Chepauk Palace Indo-Saracenic Around 1764 Chepauk The official residence of the Nawab of Arcot from 1768 to 1855
33 Triplicane Big Mosque Mughal 1765[26] Triplicane
34 Madras Club (Moubray's Cupola) 1780s Adyar Originally a spacious colonial bungalow, known as Moubray's Cupola, set in 105 acres of parkland and later became the Adyar Club. Built by George Moubray on the banks of the Adyar in the 1780s.[34]
35 Government Museum Buildings Indo-Saracenic 1789 Henry Irwin Egmore Constructed between 1789 and 1890
36 Amir Mahal Indo-Saracenic 1798 Royapettah
37 Government Central Press 1807 George Town
38 Thousand Lights Mosque 1810[26] Anna Salai
39 Egmore Eye Hospital 1819 Egmore
40 St Andrew's Church Georgian church architecture 1821 Major De Havilland Egmore Built at a cost of 20,000 UK pounds
41 Police headquarters 1839 Mylapore Renovated in 1993.[35]
42 Tamil Nadu Police Museum Indo-Saracenic 1842 Egmore [36]
43 Christ Church 1844 Anna Salai Possibly the first congregation outside Fort St George.
44 Higginbotham's 1844 Anna Salai The first and the oldest existing book shop in India.
45 Anderson Church 1845 Parry's Corner
46 Government College of Fine Arts and Crafts Indo-Saracenic 1850 Robert Fellowes Chisholm Egmore The first school of arts in Asia
47 Royapuram railway station 1853 Royapuram Designed by William Adelpi Tracey.[37] Third oldest railway station in the country and the oldest in South India.[38]
48 The Mail 1868 Anna Salai
49 Chennai Central railway station Gothic Revival 1873 George Harding Park Town Built as a second terminus to decongest the Royapuram harbour station, which was being utilised for port movements. Built in a combination of styles, namely, Gothic and Romanesque.[39]
50 Senate House, University of Madras Indo-Saracenic 1879 Robert Fellowes Chisholm Chepauk Incorporates many elements of the Byzantine style.[40] The great hall of the Senate House is of immense height and proportions, considered to be the finest of its kind in India.[40][41]
51 P Orr & Sons 1879 Anna Salai
52 Deputy Inspector General of Registration 1880 George Town Housed registration department offices. Spread over 20,000 sq ft.[42]
53 Theosophical Society Headquarters Building 1882 Adyar
54 The Hindu 1883 Anna Salai
55 General Post Office Victorian Architecture 1884 Robert Fellowes Chisholm George Town Built at a cost of ₹ 680,000.[43]
56 Victoria Public Hall Indo-Saracenic 1888-1890 Robert Fellowes Chisholm Park Town The venue of the first cinema show in Chennai.
57 Madras High Court Indo-Saracenic 1892 J. W. Brassington, Henry Irwin George Town The court buildings are believed to be the second largest judicial complex in the world after the one in London. The complex also houses the largest number of courts in Asia.[44][45][46]
58 St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica, Chennai Gothic revival architecture 1896 Caption J. A. Power Santhome Built over the reputed tomb of Saint Thomas the Apostle by Portuguese explorers in 1523, and later rebuilt by the British in 1893. It is considered to be the oldest church in Chennai.
59 Bharat Insurance Building Indo-Saracenic 1897 Anna Salai Originally known as Kardyl Building
60 State Bank of India Building Victorian Architecture 1897 Col. Samuel Jacob George Town
61 Red Fort building at the Madras Medical College 1897 Park Town [47]
62 King Institute of Preventive Medicine and Research 1899 Anna Salai, Guindy
63 Dobbin Hall 1904–05 Madras Veterinary College (now located opposite) started functioning.
64 National Art Gallery Indo-Saracenic 1906 Henry Irwin Egmore
65 Egmore Railway Station Indo-Saracenic 1908 Henry Irwin Egmore
66 Madras Record Office Indo-Saracenic 1909[48] G. S. T. Harris Egmore Currently known as Tamil Nadu Archives/Department of Archives & Historical Research
67 Royapuram fire temple 1910[49] Hormusji Nowroji Royapuram The first and the only fire temple in the city.
68 Ripon Building Indo-Saracenic 1913 G.S.T Harris Park Town Built at a cost of ₹ 750,000.
69 Kilpauk Water Works 1914 Kilpauk First water treatment facility with 80 mld capacity.[50]
70 Gove Building (formerly Cuddon Building) 1916 Anna Salai
71 Egmore court complex 1916 Egmore Indo-Saracenic style of architecture. Spread over 8,640 square feet, it housed the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court, three additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate courts and 10 magistrate and fast track courts. Restored in 2018 at a cost of ₹ 48 million. The same year, a new 6-storied 71,200-square-feet building, with 12 court halls, was constructed at the premises as additional court complex.[51]
72 College of Engineering Indo-Saracenic 1920[52] Guindy Designed by consulting architect W. H. Nicholls and later by chief engineer F. J. Wilson.[37]
73 Southern Railway headquarters Indo-Saracenic 1921 N. Grayson Park Town Originally built as the new Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway Company (MSMR) headquarters (successor of Madras Railway Company), replacing the general office of MSMR at Royapuram Railway Station. Built for the first time in India in reinforced concrete in classical and Dravidian styles.[53]
74 Suguna Vilasa Sabha 1936 Anna Salai Possibly one of the earliest drama theatres with stalwarts like Pammal Sambanda Mudaliar — now called SVS Club.
75 Bharathi Illam Triplicane


See also

References

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Further reading