Another panoramic image of Old Delhi. This is the historic haveli of Chunna Mal (sometimes also written as Chunnamal) in Chandni Chowk.
Seth Chunnamal was at one time perhaps the richest and the most influential Indian in Shahjahanbad. This was in the turbulent years after the revolt(mutiny) of 1857. His haveli(mansion) in the central street of Shahjahanbad is an extensive building that used to be in its heyday a cynosure of all eyes. It is still fairly well preserved, unlike many other fascinating structures in the same area that are crumbling and decaying into nothingness.Unfortunately, we in India are not strong on historical preservation.We will fight, agitate and become violent at some some perceived 'insult' to some historical personality even as the monuments that truly embody our heritage rot and disintegrate. I made a film about it called the Losing Heritage- the case of Chunnamal's haveli.
Seth Chunnamal was at one time perhaps the richest and the most influential Indian in Shahjahanbad. This was in the turbulent years after the revolt(mutiny) of 1857. His haveli(mansion) in the central street of Shahjahanbad is an extensive building that used to be in its heyday a cynosure of all eyes. It is still fairly well preserved, unlike many other fascinating structures in the same area that are crumbling and decaying into nothingness.Unfortunately, we in India are not strong on historical preservation.We will fight, agitate and become violent at some some perceived 'insult' to some historical personality even as the monuments that truly embody our heritage rot and disintegrate. I made a film about it called the Losing Heritage- the case of Chunnamal's haveli.
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| The historic haveli of Chunna Mal in Chandni Chowk - click for a larger image |
HI there Radha, I am pretty intrigued about this film you made. Being a descendant of the Chunnamals and also having been in the broadcast industry for 2 decades i would love to see the film and perhaps even push the case for preserving this rich heritage.
ReplyDeleteYou can reach me on shivrajparshad@gmail.com
Kind Regards,
Shivraj