Fluctuating fortunes of Pakistan's Hindu Gymkhana

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The fluctuating fortunes of Hindu Gymkhana KARACHI: Designed by a Muslim architect, Agha Ahmed Hussain, and built in 1925, the building of the Hindu Gymkhana was the first public building in Karachi to adopt the Mughal-Revival style.

 

The Gymkhana, located opposite the Arts Council on M R Kiyani Road, remained unoccupied for many years under the aegis of the federal government, after which the building was slated for demolition in 1984. During this period of vacancy, it became a favourite haunt of owls and drug addicts by night, and strays during the daytime. Following its time spent in a vacuum of negligence, it was finally saved from being razed thanks to a timely intervention in 1994 by the Heritage Foundation, after which the site was handed over to the Sindh government.

 

Later, its Jodhpur and Gizri stone exterior was thoroughly washed and scrubbed, and the building was finally resurrected complete with chhattris, chhajjas and jharokas. The restoration of the Hindu Gymkhana was made possible by donations from rich Hindu families, especially one Seth Ramgopal Goverdhandas Mohatta belonging to Karachi’s elite.

 

With four octagonal towers, akin to watchful sentries, guarding each of its corners, its design is based on the Mughal-period tomb of Itamad-ud-Daulah in Agra that was built in 1628.

 

The roofline is intricately defined by a delicate massing of cupolas and balustrades. The octagonal corner towers framing the projecting central jharoka or porch are capped with chhattris, while the cupolas of the chattris are reinforced concrete and the walls dressed in Gizri stone. Beautiful ornamental brackets support the projecting chhajjas.

 

Some of the carved elements, inspired by the Hindu mystical signs, are picked out of Jodhpur stone.

 

The building itself is small in size and the interior consists only of a main hall and a few other smaller rooms. Nevertheless, it has an unmistakably strong romantic appeal. The Hindu community, which had a strong commercial presence in the city pre-independence, used this landmark as a health club.

 

Several features of this building are reflected in the architecture of the larger and more prominent Mohatta Palace.

 

Last year, in February 2005, Pervez Musharraf inaugurated the National Academy of Arts (NAPA) — Pakistan’s first-ever performing arts academy — in the stately architectural landmark. It was learnt that NAPA has been leased the space by the Sindh Cultural Department on a contract of 30 years.

 

The Hindu community has protested the formation of NAPA in the building of their predecessors, and the auditorium, recently under construction alongside the gymkhana building, is expected to become another bone of contention.

 

However, for the time being, the landmark continues to live on, albeit with a new purpose. Today its majestic halls resonate with the sound of music and the aspirant voices of flourishing dramatic art.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/print1.asp?id=33115

 

 

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