Historical sites: Raj Kapoor’s haveli awaits govt’s attention
Despite historic significance of house, neither federal nor K-P govt has taken any step to preserve building
PESHAWAR:
While the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has declared Bollywood superstar Dilip Kumar’s house in old Peshawar city a national heritage, the haveli of another Bollywood legend, Raj Kapoor, still awaits the government’s attention. The house of actor Shahrukh Khan, in Shah Wali Qatal area, also lies in neglect.
The ‘Kapoor House’ is one of the most imposing buildings in the old city, situated in Mohallah Dhaki Munawar Shah, inside the Asamai gate and can be accessed through the narrow streets of the historic Qissa Khwani Bazaar.
The arched wooden windows and gates of the house, etched with beautiful floral and geometric designs, represent the city’s old architecture, which has almost disappeared except for a few houses situated inside the walled city.
Raj Kapoor, known as ‘the show man’ of the Indian film industry, was born here on December 14, 1929. The son of Prithviraj Kapoor, a famous actor and the patriarch of the Kapoor family, Raj was a contemporary of Dilip Kumar and one of the greatest actors and directors of his time.
Over the last few years, several attempts were made to procure the Kapoor residence, and Shaikh Amjid, the chairman of IMGC Global entertainment, asked the K-P government to purchase the house to set up a museum here. However, the provincial government refused the request, saying any group interested in the house must collaborate with the government.
However, in spite of the historic significance of the house, neither the federal nor the K-P government has taken any steps towards preserving the building. In 2005, an earthquake affected the upper portion of the house.
“Raj Kapoor’s house in Peshawar is not in its original condition [anymore]… it has been modified by different owners,” an official of the culture department told The Express Tribune.
He said the previous government had given the provincial culture department the authority to look after the houses of Bollywood legends situated in Peshawar, despite the fact that these buildings come under the ambit of the archaeology department.
“They were given the authority as these houses belonged to cultural figures; however, they never understand the historical importance of the buildings,” the official, who wished not to be named, added. He said the previous government and cultural department were not too interested in purchasing the haveli.
Following the appointment of a new director at the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, the house comes under the charge of Director Dr Abdul Samad.
Under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Antiquities Act of 1997 and the Land Acquisition Act of 1985, the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums has the authority to declare any building government property and a protected site. At that point, the owner of the building loses the rights to modify the structure in any way.
The department then asks the K-P Revenue and Estate department to assess the current market value of the property, which is paid to the owner of the building.
“We have initiated a process and asked the provincial revenue department to provide us the necessary data,” Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Archaeology and Museum Director Dr Abdul Samad told The Express Tribune.
Earlier in July, Samad said the Kumar and Kapoor residences will be declared heritage sites and conservation work started, after the revenue department completed formalities.
However, a contender for Dilip Kumar’s house, came forward to challenge the decision to convert the acting legend’s house into a heritage site. This case is still pending in the high court. Samad said the K-P government earlier declared the house of Dilip Kumar a national heritage site and its conservation work would begin soon. “Raj Kapoor’s house will also be declared a national heritage site soon,” he added.
He acknowledged that several changes had been made in the building over the decades as the owners did not understand the archaeological and historical values of the building. “But it does not mean that the department will give up this historical site,” he said. “The provincial government will not sit in peace until it takes possession of all the houses of Bollywood legends in the city,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 20th, 2014.
While the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has declared Bollywood superstar Dilip Kumar’s house in old Peshawar city a national heritage, the haveli of another Bollywood legend, Raj Kapoor, still awaits the government’s attention. The house of actor Shahrukh Khan, in Shah Wali Qatal area, also lies in neglect.
The ‘Kapoor House’ is one of the most imposing buildings in the old city, situated in Mohallah Dhaki Munawar Shah, inside the Asamai gate and can be accessed through the narrow streets of the historic Qissa Khwani Bazaar.
The arched wooden windows and gates of the house, etched with beautiful floral and geometric designs, represent the city’s old architecture, which has almost disappeared except for a few houses situated inside the walled city.
Raj Kapoor, known as ‘the show man’ of the Indian film industry, was born here on December 14, 1929. The son of Prithviraj Kapoor, a famous actor and the patriarch of the Kapoor family, Raj was a contemporary of Dilip Kumar and one of the greatest actors and directors of his time.
Over the last few years, several attempts were made to procure the Kapoor residence, and Shaikh Amjid, the chairman of IMGC Global entertainment, asked the K-P government to purchase the house to set up a museum here. However, the provincial government refused the request, saying any group interested in the house must collaborate with the government.
However, in spite of the historic significance of the house, neither the federal nor the K-P government has taken any steps towards preserving the building. In 2005, an earthquake affected the upper portion of the house.
“Raj Kapoor’s house in Peshawar is not in its original condition [anymore]… it has been modified by different owners,” an official of the culture department told The Express Tribune.
He said the previous government had given the provincial culture department the authority to look after the houses of Bollywood legends situated in Peshawar, despite the fact that these buildings come under the ambit of the archaeology department.
“They were given the authority as these houses belonged to cultural figures; however, they never understand the historical importance of the buildings,” the official, who wished not to be named, added. He said the previous government and cultural department were not too interested in purchasing the haveli.
Following the appointment of a new director at the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, the house comes under the charge of Director Dr Abdul Samad.
Under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Antiquities Act of 1997 and the Land Acquisition Act of 1985, the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums has the authority to declare any building government property and a protected site. At that point, the owner of the building loses the rights to modify the structure in any way.
The department then asks the K-P Revenue and Estate department to assess the current market value of the property, which is paid to the owner of the building.
“We have initiated a process and asked the provincial revenue department to provide us the necessary data,” Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Archaeology and Museum Director Dr Abdul Samad told The Express Tribune.
Earlier in July, Samad said the Kumar and Kapoor residences will be declared heritage sites and conservation work started, after the revenue department completed formalities.
However, a contender for Dilip Kumar’s house, came forward to challenge the decision to convert the acting legend’s house into a heritage site. This case is still pending in the high court. Samad said the K-P government earlier declared the house of Dilip Kumar a national heritage site and its conservation work would begin soon. “Raj Kapoor’s house will also be declared a national heritage site soon,” he added.
He acknowledged that several changes had been made in the building over the decades as the owners did not understand the archaeological and historical values of the building. “But it does not mean that the department will give up this historical site,” he said. “The provincial government will not sit in peace until it takes possession of all the houses of Bollywood legends in the city,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 20th, 2014.