The 17th century Paliyam Palace, a landmark built by the Dutch East India Company, and the Nalukettu, the traditional mansion adjacent to it, are private property that were in need of attention.
The Kerala government has taken up their restoration with an understanding that the Paliyam Eswara Seva Trust, which owns the buildings, will keep it open to the public after restorationd and made into museums.
Two museums
The estimated project cost is Rs.1.87 crore. It includes the cost of designing two museums that will exhibit the history of the Kochi kingdom, the Paliyam family and its prominent members who served as the hereditary prime ministers to the Kochi kings.
The project will be completed in November.
“The Kerala government will bear the entire cost on a condition that the buildings be maintained as heritage structures and opened to the public. The revenue generated will go to the trust that owns the buildings for the upkeep of the proposed museums. Major maintenance works will be taken up by the government,” said Paliyam Eswara Seva Trust Manager Krishnabalan Paliath.
The Dutch built the palace for Paliyath Achan, a prominent member of the family, as a token of appreciation.
He helped the Dutch dislodge the Portuguese from the Malabar coast and secured their trading interests.
The Paliyam chiefs were influential in the region till the advent of the British.
“The architecture of the palace is distinctively different from the other buildings in this region. The Dutch influence on its design is evident. The building is not planned around an inner courtyard, the roof is unusually steep and the wooden beams are heavy. The use of sash windows is also unique to this building and so is its three-storey height,” said Benny Kuriakose, consultant to the project.
Traditional
The Nalukettu stands in contrast to the Dutch architectural style of the palace. It is built around a courtyard and contains many traditional elements such as the ‘Ara,' or the private strong room, and ‘Purathu Thalam' (entrance foyer). This building was mostly used by women and children.
“The damaged portions of both the buildings have been repaired. All later additions that are inconsistent with the original design will be removed. Small changes to the layout of the building are made to make it function as a better museum,” Mr. Kuraikose said.
Part of project
“This project is taken up as part of the larger Muziris Heritage Project, which has an outlay of Rs.140 crore. The two museums at Paliyam will be opened along with the two others at the Chennamangalam and Paravur synagogues,” said V.N. Sunil, special officer, Muziris Heritage Project.
The work at Paliam Palace and Naalukettu is impressively progressing. But I would also like to flash some light on another aspect. paliam is also surrounded by many temples such as Puthiya Thri kovu, Chenna thri kovu, Aarankaavu, etc which are also under the governance of the Paliyam Devaswom.
ReplyDeletePuthiya Thri Kovu is one which lies in the middle and the most prominent one as it is situated at the Paliyam Nada.
I am a member of Paliyam and my family happens to own a building in front of this temple and why this is important is because, this building is a very old one. At-least a 100 year old & also is a part of old Paliyam map. In the olden days - this building used to be the Office for all the treasury related works for the temples and other officials. Would/can this building too be included in the Musris Project and protected? I would like to know more about the possibilities.(muralinmenon@gmail.com)