Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma offered Bhumi Pujan for the renovation of Hawa Mahal, the residence of legendary Goalpariya folk singer Pratima Pandey Baruah at Gauripur, after her family handed over its possession to GoA. Work on turning the historic house into a heritage site is likely to be completed by 1 Jan 2024.
The state cabinet has made a significant decision to preserve the royal ‘Hawa Mahal’ of Matiabag near Gauripur in Dhubri, as well as the artist’s cultural contributions, as an eternal and heritage centre.
The meeting also approved the purchase of 12 bighas, 3 kathas, and 18 lechas of land in Matiabag for the construction of a museum at a cost of Rs 15 crore to commemorate Pratima Barua Pandey’s life and works.
It is hoped that the government’s decision will play an important role in preserving Assam’s rich cultural and folk heritage.
The two-story heritage building of the Royal family of the Zamindary Estate of Gauripur, Hawamahal, was built in 1914 by Raja Prabhat Chandra Barua, the foster son of Raja Pratap Chandra Barua, the founder Zaminder of Gauripur Zamindary Estate, and is located on a hillock surrounded by the Gadadhar river in the north-eastern direction of Gauripur town at Matiabag. Raja Prabhat Chandra Barua began construction on the building in 1904 with the assistance of Chinese architects, and it was completed in 1914. The Hawamahal was so beautiful, and the surrounding scenery so pleasant, that the zamindar lived there with his family during the summer season, and thus the building was named Hawamahal.
Offered Bhumi Pujan for renovation of Hawa Mahal, residence of legendary Goalpariya folk singer Pratima Pandey Baruah at Gauripur, after her family handed over its possession to GoA.
Work on turning the historic house into a heritage site is likely to be completed by 1 Jan 2024. pic.twitter.com/Eqmh518UMU
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) January 2, 2023
His elder son Raja Prakritish Chandra Barua (Lalji) used to live there and manage the affairs of the Zamindary Estate after his death, and before his death, he handed over control of the building to his sons Pradip Barua, Prabir Coomer Barua, Pradyut Kumar Barua, and Dr Pritam Barua. They are currently the Hawamahal’s heirs.
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Currently, the State government has begun the Assam Darshan scheme to develop the historically significant places of the State, and more than Rs two crore has been sanctioned to develop the Hawamahal area, and a road is being built in the Matiabag area to execute the scheme. Enlightened locals believe that building a road in the area is pointless until the Hawamahal is taken over by the government and designated as a tourist attraction.
