ASI wary of paint job

Cooch Behar, Jan. 29: The Archaeological Survey of India has decided to paint the 125-year-old palace here but will consult senior citizens and experts before choosing the colour this time so that the hue resembles the original.

The ASI is the custodian of the edifice built by the maharajas of Cooch Behar in 1887, the only edifice taken over by the agency before it became 100 years old.

After it was last painted in 2003, there was widespread protest about the choice of colour, a deep maroon, for the palace. Maharani Gayatri Devi of Jaipur, who hailed from the Cooch Behar princely family, had expressed her dissatisfaction to the ASI. She had said the original colour of the place was brick red.

This time, the ASI will seek the opinions of senior citizens as well as those in touch with the history of the erstwhile state of Cooch Behar before choosing the paint.

Yesterday, the director-general of the ASI, Gautam Sengupta, and two other officials visited the palace and discussed the issue of a fresh paint job.

After a three-hour stay in the palace, Sengupta said more care would be taken this time so that there is no controversy over the selection of the new colour.

"Back in 2003, when we had last painted the palace, we had received a number of letters pointing out that we had not stuck to the original colour. People did not like the deep maroon that was selected. This time, we will seek the opinions of senior citizens and historians so that we can paint the palace in a colour as close to the original as possible," Sengupta said.

The superintending archaeologist of the ASI, Tapan Jyoti Baidya, said Gayatri Devi, too, had raised her objections during one of her visits to her hometown.

"Gayatri Devi had expressed her dissatisfaction at the new colour back in 2003. She said the maroon was too deep and that the original colour of the palace was brick red," Baidya said.

He said the ASI had taken over the heritage structure in 1985, just before the building turned 100 years. The darbar hall, a dance hall and a billiards room have been the main attractions for visitors since then. He said there were about 50 halls and rooms in the palace that was built by Maharaja Nripendra Narayan.

"It was the only structure in the country that was less than 100 years old when the ASI took it over," he said.

Baidya said the ASI had a chemical wing and its scientists and technicians would be consulted before taking up the paint job. "We have called the chemical unit and they will be visiting here soon. They will ensure that we choose the original colour to paint the palace," Baidya said. He also said before taking up the painting, cracks and other defects that had developed in and outside the building will be repaired.