Court complex back to 140-yr-old glory

Trichy: The renovation of the 140-year-old British-era combined court building in Pudukottai is complete. The PWD heritage wing, which undertook the project at a cost of `14.92 crore, executed the work without altering the building's heritage value. By using traditional materials such as lime, jaggery, kadukkai, egg white, marble powder, sithukal, and river sand, the department has sought to ensure that the structure's heritage character is preserved."All the Madras terrace, Mangalore tile roofs, and jack arch roofs have been renovated while retaining their heritage value. Damaged brick walls have been strengthened and restored using traditional lime mortar plastering. The ceiling rafters, doors, and windows have been replaced with new teak wood rafters and planks to restore the building to its original glory. Necessary electrical works have also been carried out to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the structure," a PWD source said. The building is a two-storey (G+1) masonry structure founded on stone-stepped strip footings. It features two tower minarets, along with 25 spires attached to the main structure. The minarets are hexagonal in shape and include arches, a heritage mechanical clock, and a rook-type spiral staircase, the source said. The complex was inaugurated by SC judge, justice M M Sundresh. The building, which had deteriorated due to prolonged exposure to climatic conditions, was taken up for restoration in line with the Tamil Nadu govt's announcement in the 2023–2024 budget. It was constructed between 1878 and 1883 by the then Pudukottai king, Marthanda Bairava Thondaiman. It was designed in the Indo-Sarcenic architectural style by renowned British architect Robert Chisholm. "The structure embodied the vision of organized governance and administrative authority in the princely state. During the kingdom period, it was used for diwan offices, the darbar hall, and judicial offices. In the post-Independence period, the building has been used by various govt departments," the source added.