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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

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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

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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

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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

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S.NoBuildingArchitectural styleYear of
construction		ArchitectNeighborhoodNotesImage
1Parthasarathy Templedravidian architecturec. 6th century CETriplicaneBuilt by Narasimhavarman I. Considered the oldest structure in Chennai.[10]
2Vedapureeswarar TempleDravidian architectureBefore 7th century CEThiruverkaduBuilt by the Cholas
3Descent of the GangesDravidian architecturec. 7th century CEMahabalipuramOne of the Group of Monuments at Mamallapuram that were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984.[11]
4Kapaleeshwarar TempleDravidian architecturec. 7th century CEMylaporeBuilt by the Pallava kings.
5Thyagaraja TempleDravidian architecturec. 7th century CETiruvottiyurBuilt by the Pallava kings.
6Marundeeswarar TempleDravidian architecturec. 7th century CEThiruvanmiyurExpanded during the Chola dynasty.[12]
7Porur Ramanatheswarar TempleDravidian architecturec. 700 CEPorurBuilt by Kulothunga Cholan II during the Chola dynasty.
8Bhaktavatsala Perumal TempleDravidian architectureBefore 820 CEThirunindravurBuilt during the Pallava's reign.[13]
9Dhenupureeswarar TempleDravidian architecturec. 957–970 CEMadambakkamBuilt 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]
10Masilamaniswarar TempleDravidian architecturec. 9th or 10th century CE (before 970 CE)ThirumullaivoyalBuilt during the Chola era.[16][17]
11Thiruporur Kandaswamy templeDravidian architecturec. 10th century CEThiruporurBuilt during the Pallava era.[18]
12Tirusoolanathar TempleDravidian architecture11th century CETirusulamBuilt by Kulothunga Chola I around 11th century CE.[19]
13Tiruvalithayam Tiruvallesvarar TempleDravidian architecturec. 11th century CEPadiThe 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.
14Velveeswarar TempleDravidian architecturec. 11th century CEValasaravakkamConstructed by Kulothunga Chola I (reigned c. 1070–1122 CE).
15Mylapore Karaneeswarar TempleDravidian architecturec. 12th century CEMylapore
16Kundrathur Murugan TempleDravidian architecture12th century CEKundrathurBuilt by Kulothunga Chola II (r. 1133–1150 CE).
17Kurungaleeswarar TempleDravidian architecture12th century CEKoyambeduDates back to the Kulothunga Chola period (c. 1133–1150 CE).
18Saidapet Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal TempleDravidian architecturec. 12th century CE[21]SaidapetConstructed by the Balija Chetty community under the aegis of the Vijayanagara monarchs.[22]
19Kundrathur Kandhalheeswarar TempleDravidian architectureBefore 1241 CEKundrathurDetails of temple renovations from time to time are found in epigraphic findings dating back 1241 CE during the Rajaraja Chola period.[23]
20Kundrathur Nageswarar TempleDravidian architecture12th century CEKundrathurBuilt by Sekkilar during 12th century CE.[24]
21Ekambareswarar–Valluvar TempleDravidian architectureBefore early 16th century CEMylaporeAlso known as the Thiruvalluvar Temple. Built on an older structure that is said to be in existence since antiquity.[25]
22Church of Our Lady of LightHerrerian1516[26]MylaporeBuilt by Portuguese explorers in Mylapore Chennai and has a oldest Madonna Painting of Mary with Jesus up in the Altar.
23Fort St. George1640George TownFirst 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]
24Kalikambal TempleDravidian architecturec. 1640George TownOriginally 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 
25St Mary's Co-Cathedral1658[30]George Town
26Kandaswami TempleDravidian architecturec. 1670sGeorge TownBuilt by Maari Chettiar. The existing stone reinforcement was made during the early 1800s.[31]
27St. Mary's Church1680Fort St. George
28Dargha of Sufi Saint Syed Moosa Sha Khaderi17th centuryAnna Salai
29Kachchaleswarar TempleDravidian architecture1725George TownBuilt by Kalavai Chetty, a 'dubash' working for the British East India Company, on a land belonging to him.[29]: 383 
30Chennakesava Perumal TempleDravidian architecture1762George TownOriginally dates back to 1646, along with Mallikesvarar Temple as twin temples. Rebuilt in a new location in 1762.[32][33]
31Mallikesvarar TempleDravidian architecture1762George TownOriginally dates back to 1646, along with Chennakesava Perumal Temple as twin temples. Rebuilt in a new location in 1762.[32][33]
32Chepauk PalaceIndo-SaracenicAround 1764ChepaukThe official residence of the Nawab of Arcot from 1768 to 1855
33Triplicane Big MosqueMughal1765[26]Triplicane
34Madras Club (Moubray's Cupola)1780sAdyarOriginally 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]
35Government Museum BuildingsIndo-Saracenic1789Henry IrwinEgmoreConstructed between 1789 and 1890
36Amir MahalIndo-Saracenic1798Royapettah
37Government Central Press1807George Town
38Thousand Lights Mosque1810[26]Anna Salai
39Egmore Eye Hospital1819Egmore
40St Andrew's ChurchGeorgian church architecture1821Major De HavillandEgmoreBuilt at a cost of 20,000 UK pounds
41Police headquarters1839MylaporeRenovated in 1993.[35]
42Tamil Nadu Police MuseumIndo-Saracenic1842Egmore[36]
43Christ Church1844Anna SalaiPossibly the first congregation outside Fort St George.
44Higginbotham's1844Anna SalaiThe first and the oldest existing book shop in India.
45Anderson Church1845Parry's Corner
46Government College of Fine Arts and CraftsIndo-Saracenic1850Robert Fellowes ChisholmEgmoreThe first school of arts in Asia
47Royapuram railway station1853RoyapuramDesigned by William Adelpi Tracey.[37] Third oldest railway station in the country and the oldest in South India.[38]
48The Mail1868Anna Salai
49Chennai Central railway stationGothic Revival1873George HardingPark TownBuilt 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]
50Senate House, University of MadrasIndo-Saracenic1879Robert Fellowes ChisholmChepaukIncorporates 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]
51P Orr & Sons1879Anna Salai
52Deputy Inspector General of Registration1880George TownHoused registration department offices. Spread over 20,000 sq ft.[42]
53Theosophical Society Headquarters Building1882Adyar
54The Hindu1883Anna Salai
55General Post OfficeVictorian Architecture1884Robert Fellowes ChisholmGeorge TownBuilt at a cost of ₹ 680,000.[43]
56Victoria Public HallIndo-Saracenic1888-1890Robert Fellowes ChisholmPark TownThe venue of the first cinema show in Chennai.
57Madras High CourtIndo-Saracenic1892J. W. Brassington, Henry IrwinGeorge TownThe 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]
58St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica, ChennaiGothic revival architecture1896Caption J. A. PowerSanthomeBuilt 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.
59Bharat Insurance BuildingIndo-Saracenic1897Anna SalaiOriginally known as Kardyl Building
60State Bank of India BuildingVictorian Architecture1897Col. Samuel JacobGeorge Town
61Red Fort building at the Madras Medical College1897Park Town[47]
62King Institute of Preventive Medicine and Research1899Anna Salai, Guindy
63Dobbin Hall1904–05Madras Veterinary College (now located opposite) started functioning.
64National Art GalleryIndo-Saracenic1906Henry IrwinEgmore
65Egmore Railway StationIndo-Saracenic1908Henry IrwinEgmore
66Madras Record OfficeIndo-Saracenic1909[48]G. S. T. HarrisEgmoreCurrently known as Tamil Nadu Archives/Department of Archives & Historical Research
67Royapuram fire temple1910[49]Hormusji NowrojiRoyapuramThe first and the only fire temple in the city.
68Ripon BuildingIndo-Saracenic1913G.S.T HarrisPark TownBuilt at a cost of ₹ 750,000.
69Kilpauk Water Works1914KilpaukFirst water treatment facility with 80 mld capacity.[50]
70Gove Building (formerly Cuddon Building)1916Anna Salai
71Egmore court complex1916EgmoreIndo-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]
72College of EngineeringIndo-Saracenic1920[52]GuindyDesigned by consulting architect W. H. Nicholls and later by chief engineer F. J. Wilson.[37]
73Southern Railway headquartersIndo-Saracenic1921N. GraysonPark TownOriginally 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]
74Suguna Vilasa Sabha1936Anna SalaiPossibly one of the earliest drama theatres with stalwarts like Pammal Sambanda Mudaliar — now called SVS Club.
75Bharathi IllamTriplicane


See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Mariappan, Julie (10 July 2012). "Long history of service". The Times of India. Chennai. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
  2. ^ Heritage building gets a breather
  3. ^ Ravishankar, Sandhya (6 September 2007). "No fire safety norms at Chennai heritage buildings". IBN Live. Chennai: CNN IBN. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 20 November 2012.
  4. ^ Ravi, Bhama Devi (18 April 2012). "Tamil Nadu's shameful disregard for heritage buildings". Sify News. Chennai. Archived from the original on 19 April 2012. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
  5. ^ Sharma, Reetu (23 August 2014). "Chennai turns 375: Things you should know about 'Gateway to South India'". One India. Chennai. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d e Xavier Lopez, Aloysius (6 February 2013). "42 government buildings among 70 vying for heritage status". The Hindu. Chennai. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  7. ^ Sriram, V. (10 October 2008). "To market, to market..." India Today. Chennai. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
  8. ^ a b c d e f "Conserving Chennai's Past". The Hindu. Chennai. 3 July 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  9. ^ Srivathsan, A (19 September 2013). "Heritage commission remains on paper". The Hindu. Chennai. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
  10. ^ Sullivan, Sullivan (1997). Historical Dictionary of Hinduism. England: Scarecro Press INC. p. 126. ISBN 81-250-2800-5.
  11. ^ "Group of Monuments at Mamallapuram". UNESCO. Retrieved 3 March 2007.
  12. ^ Hodgetts, Jim Brayley (2008), Madras Matters At Home in South India, Hodgetts, ISBN 978-1-4357-0887-7
  13. ^ Madhavan, Chithra (2007). Vishnu Temples of South India Volume 1 (Tamil Nadu). Chithra Madhavan. p. 36. ISBN 978-81-908445-0-5.
  14. ^ Rohini Ramakrishnan (22 June 2010). "Walking through history". The Hindu. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  15. ^ Chitra Madhavan (26 September 2003). "Ancient Chola temple at Madambakkam". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 6 December 2003. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  16. ^ S., Muthiah, ed. (2008). Madras, Chennai: A 400-year Record of the First City of Modern India, Volume 1. Palaniappa Brothers. p. 107. ISBN 9788183794688.
  17. ^ S.R., Balasubramanyam (1975). Early Chola temples Parantaka I to Rajaraja I (AD. 907-985) (PDF). Thomson Press (India) Limited. pp. 209–14.
  18. ^ J.V., Siva Prasanna Kumar (12 July 2013). "Rs 100 cr Kandaswamy temple lands recovered". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 28 September 2016. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  19. ^ "Tirusula Nathar Temple, Trisulam, Chennai suburb (திருசுல நாதர்)". tamilbrahmins.com.
  20. ^ "Thiruvalithayam". Dharumapuram Adheenam. 25 April 2020.
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  22. ^ Madhavan, Chithra (7 November 2017). "A shrine where the image of Rama was worshipped first". The New Indian Express. Chennai: Express Publications. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  23. ^ "Sri Kandhazheeswarar temple". Dinamalar Temples. Dinamalar. n.d. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  24. ^ Madhavan, Chithra (27 July 2016). "A Rahu sthalam built by devotee at Kundrathur". The New Indian Express. Chennai: Express Publications. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  25. ^ Waghorne, Joanne Punzo (2004). Diaspora of the Gods: Modern Hindu Temples in an Urban Middle-Class World. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-515663-8.: 120–125 
  26. ^ a b c Priya, R. Sasi Mary; Radhakrishnan, V. (March–April 2016). "The art and architectures along the Tamil Nadu coast". International Journal of Art & Humanity Science. 3 (2): 43. ISSN 2349-5235. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  27. ^ Madhavan, D. (20 December 2012). "National Institute of Siddha modifies expansion plan". The Hindu. Chennai: Kasturi & Sons. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
  28. ^ "Chennai High: Where history beckons". The Times of India. Chennai. 27 August 2010. Archived from the original on 16 February 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  29. ^ a b Muthiah, S. (2014). Madras Rediscovered. Chennai: EastWest. ISBN 978-93-84030-28-5.
  30. ^ Muthiah, S. (2004). Madras Rediscovered. East West Books (Madras) Pvt Ltd. ISBN 81-88661-24-4.
  31. ^ "History of Kandha kottam temple". Kandha kottam temple official website. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  32. ^ a b "Chenna kesava perumal temple, Chennai". Official temple website. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  33. ^ a b Muthiah, S. (4 March 2012). "The 'Town Temple' resurrected". The Hindu. Chennai, India.
  34. ^ "Mowbray Road, Madras". British Library. n.d. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  35. ^ Iyengar, Pushpa (2 June 2008). "Cornered Stones". Outlook India. Outlook India.com. Archived from the original on 19 February 2011. Retrieved 19 May 2012.
  36. ^ Balasubramanian, Roshne (10 October 2021). "New police museum in Chennai is a place of pride for peacekeepers". The New Indian Express. Chennai: Express Publications. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  37. ^ a b Venkataraman, G.; Shanthi, A. Anne. "History of Historical Building and Monuments in and around Chennai" (PDF). www.cmdachennai.gov.in.
  38. ^ "Third oldest railway station in country set to turn 156". Deccan Chronicle. Chennai. Archived from the original on 29 June 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  39. ^ Kurian, Nimi (18 August 2006). "Long history of service". The Hindu. Chennai. Archived from the original on 20 August 2006. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
  40. ^ a b Srinivasachari, Introduction, p 262
  41. ^ Srinivasachari, Introduction, p xxxiv
  42. ^ K., Lakshmi (13 December 2017). "3 historic buildings to rise from the ruins". The Hindu. Chennai: Kasturi & Sons. p. 2. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  43. ^ Muthiah, S. (30 October 2011). "Madras miscellany — The Madras G.P.O. beginnings". The Hindu. Chennai: Kasturi & Sons. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  44. ^ "Madras High Court". BSNL. Archived from the original on 30 January 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
  45. ^ "High Court Building". CHENNAI-DIRECTORY.COM. Archived from the original on 5 June 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
  46. ^ Chandru, K. (26 November 2011). "Some thoughts around the Madras High Court". The Hindu. Chennai: Kasturi & Sons. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
  47. ^ Josephine M., Serena (1 August 2018). "'Red Fort' at Madras Medical College to reopen as museum". The Hindu. Chennai. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  48. ^ "Archives and Historical Research Department".
  49. ^ Muthiah, S. (4 July 2010). "Madras Miscellany: The century-old Parsi temple". The Hindu. Chennai. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
  50. ^ "Kilpauk water works facility goes hi-tech". The Hindu. Chennai: Kasturi & Sons. 18 December 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
  51. ^ Lakshmi, K. (2 March 2018). "New court complex in Egmore will be ready by month-end". The Hindu. Chennai. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  52. ^ Parthasarathy, Anusha (29 November 2011). "Survivors of time – College of Engineering (Guindy)". The Hindu. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  53. ^ Venkataraman, G.; A. Anne Shanthi. "History of Historical Building and Monuments in and around Chennai" (PDF). CMDA Chennai. Retrieved 10 May 2012.

Further reading

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