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Utterly Dutch
DAVID HALL stands like the `ancient Dutch', on one side of the Parade Ground in Fort Kochi. Its antiquity seems more pronounced as modern houses hem it in. Unfortunately, not being one of the high profile heritage monuments like the Bastion bungalow or the Dutch cemetery, it draws little debate and few measures for its upkeep.
Soon after Hendrik Adriaan van Reede tot Drakestein began operating from Fort Kochi in the latter half of the 17century, it is believed that three Dutch residences were built at this site. Today the only relic remaining of this structure is the David Hall. Presumably constructed for the then Garrison commander, it derives its name from Mr David, one of its last owners. Mr David was father of the well-known Mrs Gladys Koder, a Jewish lady from Kochi and many residents in the area recall its grandeur. Today it smacks of a long period of disuse but there is hope on the horizon.
With the acquisition of the David Hall by CNO, India, a trust for the Cultural History of Netherlands Overseas, several plans are afoot to save the structure from neglect and ruin.
Mr A.S Bawa, one of the trustees of the monument, divulged the future plans regarding David Hall. "Restoration", he says, "will be done on lines for serving local purposes. We plan to convert it into either into a museum or a visitor's centre. As it will be difficult to acquire original artefacts for a museum, a visitor's centre with local history on display will be more suitable. The edifice must maintain itself fundamentally so we plan to have parts of the site as a coffee shop or bookshop that goes with a visitor's centre. This will generate funds to self-support it."
The CNO, India is a trust registered in Delhi. Under a panel of eminent trustees, this non-profit organisation works towards the restoration and preservation of Old Dutch monuments, artworks, literary works and archives. It takes under its wings the Dutch properties, which are not under the Archaeological Survey of India and enjoys the support of the Royal Netherlands embassy in India.
As the structure has a lot of property behind it, Mr Bawa expressed plans to convert it into a garden with a walk-way connecting the St Francis church and the Dutch cemetery via the David Hall. "This will be an ideal walk for the tourists," said he. The restoration is headed by two heritage architects, Prof Eugene Nazareth and Prof Ramaswamy from Kollam . Presently the accent is on strengthening the roof to prevent further damage by rain. "As it is strongly Dutch by no means will the character of the place be altered, the doors and windows of the building are authentic. The ochre yellow bricks in the patio are from Netherlands. Two doors and some timber have been pilfered before the property was acquired and the renovation will be in keeping with the guidelines for the heritage zone," said Prof Eugene Nazareth. Along with the restoration we propose to have panel exhibition, which will be on people and places of the fort and a kind of an affirmation of the work we are going to do. This will encourage the locals to contribute details, artefacts and letters of the past. "We have saved the structure or it would have disappeared", says Mr Bawa, hoping that the hurdles in the way of restoration are soon cleared and the work gets underway without further delay.
PRIYADARSHINI SHARMA
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