Bangalore Palace

Bangalore Palace is a palace located in the city of Bangalore, India and is built to look like a smaller replica of the Windsor Castle in England.cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/2912777.stm|work=Online webpage of the BBC, dated 2003-04-03|publisher=BBC, MMVII|title=Stones prepare for India concert|author=Habib Beary|accessdate=2007-06-27] cite web|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Jun42007/metromon200706035467.asp|work=Online Edition of The Deccan Herald, dated 2007-06-04|publisher=2007, The Printers (Mysore) Private Ltd.|title=Restoring royal glory|author=N. Niranjan Nikam|accessdate=2007-06-27] It was built by Rev. Garrett, who was the first Principal of the Central High School in Bangalore, now known as Central College.cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/07/22/stories/2005072210690400.htm|work=Online Edition of The Hindu, dated 2005-07-22|publisher=The Hindu|title= Wadiyar to restore Bangalore Palace|accessdate=2007-06-27] The construction of the palace was started in 1862 and completed in 1944. In 1884, it was bought by the Maharaja of Mysore, Chamaraja Wodeyar. Now owned by the current scion of the Mysore royal family, Srikanta Datta Narsimharaja Wadiyar, the palace has recently undergone a renovation. The sprawling grounds surrounding the palace are used for holding public events including musical concerts. Some of the well known international music bands and rockstars that have performed here include heavy metal legends Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Sting, Scorpions, Deep Purple, Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones, Bryan Adams .cite web|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2005/04/14/stories/2005041417670300.htm|work=Online Edition of The Hindu, dated 2005-04-14|title= Now, C. Ashwath will enthral Bangaloreans|publisher=The Hindu|accessdate=2007-06-25] cite web|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/archives/feb62006/city185610200625.asp|work=Online Edition of The Deccan Herald, dated 2006-02-06|publisher=2006, The Printers (Mysore) Private Ltd.|title=‘Come back to you’, Bryan’s promise to Bangaloreans|accessdate=2007-06-27] cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1100759|work=Online webpage of DnaIndia.com, dated 2007-06-02|title=Bangalore rocks to Aerosmith's heavy metal|publisher=© 2005-2007 Diligent Media Corporation Ltd|accessdate=2007-06-27]

History

Rev. Garrett, the first principal of the Central High School built this palace with a floor area of 45000 sq. feet (4200 m²). The Palace and the grounds surrounding it were spread across 454 acres (183 ha).cite web|url=http://www.bangalorebest.com/discoverbangalore/sightseeing/palace.asp|title=An Exclusive Interview with Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wodeyar|work=Online webpage of BangaloreBest.com|publisher=Copyright © 2001 Indias-Best.Com Pvt. Ltd|accessdate=2007-06-27] British officials who were in charge of the Education of the young prince Chamaraja Wodeyar bought this palace in 1873 from him at a cost of Rs. 40000 and later renovated it. The palace was built in Tudor style architecture with fortified towers, battlements and turrets. The interiors were decorated with elegant wood carvings, floral motifs, cornices and relief paintings on the ceiling. The furniture, which was neo-classical, Victorian and Edwardian in style, was bought from John Roberts and Lazarus. The upkeep of the gardens was the responsibility of a horticulturist named Krumbiegel. A total of 35 rooms were built in the palace with most of them being bed rooms. The renovation included addition of stained glass and mirrors, specially imported from England, besides a manual lift and wooden fans from General Electric.cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050807/spectrum/main2.htm|work=Online webpage of the Tribune, dated 2005-08-07|author=Jangveer Singh|title=The Indian Windsor castle|accessdate=2007-06-27] The Wodeyars used to own the palace till the demise of the king Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar in 1970. In 1970 Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar is said to have transferred the possession of the property to two company's promoted by a civil contractor by name Chamaraju, close to the corridors of power. these company's were known as Chamundi Hotels (P) Ltd (110 acre) and Sree Venkateswara Real Estate Enterprises (p) Ltd ( 344 acre). But on the given date the company's were yet to be incorporated and theer was no sale deed either. It was a fraudulant transaction. Maharaja's only son Srikanta Datta Narsimharaja Wadiyar instituted civil suit against this deal. But the Maharaja died in 1974. The legal battle continued and in the mean time Srikanta Datta Narsimharaja Wadiyar gave 28 acres each to his Five sisters namely Late Gayatri Devi , Meenakshi Devi, Kamakashi Devi, Indrakshi Devi and Vishalakshi Devi in 1983 along the Ramana Mahasrhi Road. They are in possession of their respective portion and many events like Raock shows, Exhibitions, marriages, Tennis, Cricket, Golf and Horse academy's are conducted in these portions.Srikanta Datta Narsimharaja Wadiyar ultimately compromised in 1990 and 1994 with the Chamaraju Group and got back his portion of the property including the Main Palace except 45 acres, which the Chamaraju group still retains along the Jayamahal Road. All along Government of Karnataka was making various attempts to confiscate the property under Land Acquisition Act 1894 and Urban Land ( ceiling & Regulation) Act 1976. HAving not succedded in their evil designs, Government ultimately enacted Bangalore Palace ( Acquisition & transfer) ACT 1996 under Mr. H.D. Deve Gowda. This dispute in before the Supreme Court till date.

Interior decor

The ground floor consists of an open courtyard containing granite seats covered with fluorescent blue ceramic tiles. It also contains a ballroom for holding private parties. The first floor containing an elaborate hall called as the "Durbar Hall" can be reached by climbing a decorated staircase. This is the hall where the king used to address the assembly. The walls along the staircase are adorned with paintings and the "Durbar Hall" has a massive elephant head mounted in it. One side of the hall contains stained glass windows in Gothic style. The colour yellow is used profusely and the walls and the sofa set in the hall are in yellow. A screen on one end separates the area where the ladies used to sit and watch the assembly proceedings in relative privacy. Some paintings of Raja Ravi Verma are also present here.

The interior walls of the palace are also adorned by old paintings belonging to the mid-19th century, including some Greek and Dutch paintings. Some of the other attractions include a dining table belonging to the Diwan of Mysore, Sir Mirza Ismail. This table contained a mother-of-pearl inlay with Chinese lacquer work.

Renovation

Srikanta Datta Narsimharaja Wadiyar is working towards renovating this palace after he obtained the right to own it. The woodwork has been renovated and the ballroom has been redone. Even the brass-fittings and lamps have been replaced and the furniture has been newly upholstered. Out of the collection of 30,000 photographs currently present in the palace, it is planned that about 1,000 of them will be restored and put up for viewing in an exhibition. A room has been converted into a boutique where silks and other garments used by the royal family will be exhibited. The palace is open to the public who can visit it after paying a nominal fee. There are also plans to rent out the ballroom for private parties and also to sell silk scarves, photographs and other articles used by the royal family to the tourists. Illumination of the palace and renovating the gardens using Mexican grass is also being planned.

Concerts

The sprawling grounds surrounding the palace, popularly known as "Palace Grounds", can accommodate a large number of people and hence is a popular choice for public assembly. These grounds have also been used to hold music concerts including popular international bands. Iron Maiden's concert on March 17th 2007 created a new attendance record for not only gigs at the venue but also in the India subcontinent by playing to over 38,000 fans. It was also the 1st time any Heavy Metal played in the country.
* The Rolling Stones in 2003 attended by about 20,000 people
* Bryan Adams in 2001, 2004 and 2006, the last one attended by 22,123 people
* Scorpions in 2001, attended by 23,300 people.cite web|url=http://www.india-today.com/itoday/20010827/mscape.shtml|work=Online Edition of the India Today, dated 2001-08-27|title=Singer's Pact|publisher=© Living Media India Ltd|accessdate=2007-06-27]
* Sting in 2005 attended by 10334 people.cite web|url=http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=13663476|work=Online webpage of Sify.com, dated 2005-02-05|title=Sting enthralls Bangalore fans|publisher=© Copyright Sify Ltd, 1998-2007|accessdate=2007-06-27]
* Iron Maiden in 2007 attended by 38,752 people.
* Sepultura in 2007 attended by 9,768 people.
* Aerosmith in 2007 attended by 20,033 people.
* Deep Purple in 2001
* Elton John in 2002
* Roger Waters in 2002
* Mark Knopfler in 2005
* Joe Satriani in 2005
* Uriah Heep in 2006
*Megadeth/Machine Head(Rock in India Festival)in 2008
* Kylie Minogue in November 2008

ee also

*Wodeyar

Notes