ID :
34213
Sat, 12/06/2008 - 15:18
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/34213
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Polish artists to give Umaid Bhawan palace a facelift
New Delhi, Dec 5 (PTI) The lavish interiors of the famous Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur district of India's northern state of Rajasthan with their exotic mural paintings which blend the mythology of the East with the elegance of western art are all set to get a facelift, thanks to a team of artists from Poland.
The Polish government agreed to send the artists after India's Culture Ministry took up the matter with it following a request from Gaj Singh, a member of the erstwhile royal family from Jodhpur.
"The paintings were done by self-exiled Polish artist Stefan Norblin in 1943. The paintings follow typical European tradition. But the theme is taken from Ramayan and Mahabharat. Now we have engaged a team of artists from Poland to restore the paintings," Gaj Singh, also known as the Maharaja of Jodhpur, told PTI here.
The interiors for the palace were designed by Maples of London. However, in 1942 the ship transporting them was sunk by the Germans. As a result, the Maharaja employed the services of the Polish interior designer Norblin.
Umaid Bhawan Palace has 347 rooms and serves as the principal residence of Jodhpur's erstwhile royal family and a part of the palace is managed by Taj Hotels.
"The reason that I wanted Polish artists for the job
is unique character of the paintings," Singh said.
At present three artists from Poland are on the job at
the palace on Chittar Hill, the highest point in Jodhpur.
The renovation work will be completed in two years,
Singh said.
The palace, an impressive and magnificent golden-yellow
sandstone edifice in the heart of Jodhpur, stamps a commanding
presence.
Apart from painting, the palace is known for its
unique design, architecture and construction style. Over 5000
workers were employed for 15 years for construction of the
majestic building, in which mortar or cement was not used to
bind the stones together. All the stones are joined together
by a system of carved interlockings.
"When I had been to England in 1955, I saw that the
British government had turned the monuments into national
assets. I was influenced by it. Then I wanted to turn my
ancestral property to hotels and museums so that public can
see them, use them and take care of the heritages," he said.
The building's prominent central dome, a majestic
105-foot high cupola, is influenced by the Renaissance, while
the towers draw inspiration from Rajput tradition.
Set amidst 26 acres of lush gardens, the Art Deco style
building was the last of India's great palaces and one of the
largest private residences in the world. PTI
The Polish government agreed to send the artists after India's Culture Ministry took up the matter with it following a request from Gaj Singh, a member of the erstwhile royal family from Jodhpur.
"The paintings were done by self-exiled Polish artist Stefan Norblin in 1943. The paintings follow typical European tradition. But the theme is taken from Ramayan and Mahabharat. Now we have engaged a team of artists from Poland to restore the paintings," Gaj Singh, also known as the Maharaja of Jodhpur, told PTI here.
The interiors for the palace were designed by Maples of London. However, in 1942 the ship transporting them was sunk by the Germans. As a result, the Maharaja employed the services of the Polish interior designer Norblin.
Umaid Bhawan Palace has 347 rooms and serves as the principal residence of Jodhpur's erstwhile royal family and a part of the palace is managed by Taj Hotels.
"The reason that I wanted Polish artists for the job
is unique character of the paintings," Singh said.
At present three artists from Poland are on the job at
the palace on Chittar Hill, the highest point in Jodhpur.
The renovation work will be completed in two years,
Singh said.
The palace, an impressive and magnificent golden-yellow
sandstone edifice in the heart of Jodhpur, stamps a commanding
presence.
Apart from painting, the palace is known for its
unique design, architecture and construction style. Over 5000
workers were employed for 15 years for construction of the
majestic building, in which mortar or cement was not used to
bind the stones together. All the stones are joined together
by a system of carved interlockings.
"When I had been to England in 1955, I saw that the
British government had turned the monuments into national
assets. I was influenced by it. Then I wanted to turn my
ancestral property to hotels and museums so that public can
see them, use them and take care of the heritages," he said.
The building's prominent central dome, a majestic
105-foot high cupola, is influenced by the Renaissance, while
the towers draw inspiration from Rajput tradition.
Set amidst 26 acres of lush gardens, the Art Deco style
building was the last of India's great palaces and one of the
largest private residences in the world. PTI
