When Bangalore’s historic Russell Market, a building much younger than many of Madras’s heritage buildings, went up in flames recently, this was what one newspaper reported:

‘With the roof showing signs of caving in, and steel girders and columns, some of them wilted in the heat of the blaze, exposed, BBMP engineers who inspected the structure said the complex would take at least two years to rebuild.

Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda who inspected the market (and spoke of the reconstruction of the building) said the facade would remain unchanged. “As it is a heritage building, all care will be taken to preserve the exterior...” ’

What a welcomely different approach to what has been happening in Madras. When Moore Market and Spencer’s went up in flames, but leaving their exterior walls almost intact, ‘pull them down’ was the cry of the authorities. Even more strident was the call of the PWD Minister just a few weeks ago when Khalas/Khalsa Mahal was debilitated by fire. Let’s pull it down and build a multi-storey building, was his first reaction on reaching the spot after the blaze broke out. It was a reaction he was to repeat a couple of more times.

An appeal from the Prince of Arcot and an outcry from the public had the Chief Minister responding with an inspection committee. This committee, despite the skepticism of many over its composition, reported that parts of the Mahal could be restored and the rest of it replicated, to ensure its facade would survive into the future. Nothing, however, has since been heard about implementation of this recommendation or of the necessity to restore the rest of the endangered Chepauk Palace complex.

In fact, when it comes to heritage buildings in Tamil Nadu, silence is what successive Governments appear to most favour. What a contrast to the approach in our western neighbour!