Shimla Heritage -3

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Shimla Heritage -3

Finest Examples of Colonial Architecture

The ‘Kathkuni’ or ‘Kathkundi’ style of buildings is a popular type of Buildings in Himachal and unique too. This is the traditional style of houses in Himachal which is known as Hill Architecture. But when Europeans came Himachal, it added another dimension to its rich architectural heritage. It went on changing and the initial simple Swiss-type cottages/German country houses were outshone by architectural marvels in Elizabethan style of English renaissance or Gothic or the splendour of dressed stones and gray slate roof. All this assimilated well with the character of Shimla. But with this, beauty of the Queen of Hills only enhanced, not diminished. The state capital has some of the world’s finest examples of British colonial architecture. Inspired by the Renaissance in England, is the grey stone, former Viceregal Lodge (now the Indian Institute of Advanced Study), the neo Gothic structures of the gaiety theatre and the former imperial Civil Secretariat (now the Accountant General’s Office). There are the Tudor framed Barnes Court (now the Raj Bhawan), and the distinctive Vidhan Sabha, the secretariat of the government of Himachal Pradesh and others. This week have a look at Gaiety Theatre.

 Gaiety Theatre

A Theatre in Himachal Attracts Bollywood Stars

The Gaiety Theatre, and a tradition of amateur theatrical remains in the stump of the once colossal edifice that was the Town Hall. The architect Henry Irwin, who built the Vice Regal Lodge, designed the theatre building. In 1911, the upper portions of the building were dismantled as the structure was found to be unsafe. It was opened on the 30th of May, 1887, Queen Victoria’s Jubilee Year and its God- Father was Lord Bill Beresford, who saved the Simla A.D.C. (Amateur Dramatic Club), time and again from financial ruin. The formal inauguration of the Simla A.D.C. took place in the year 1888 and since then plays have been staged in the Gaiety with unfailing regularity. The history of ADC goes back to the times when theatre was looked upon as a major and serious source of entertainment and, therefore became a cultural necessity for the English elite. Hence, Shimla became the home of amateur theatre and the Gaiety Theatre produced the best of the plays performed in London. Among the leading theatre personalities connected with the Shimla Amateur Dramatic Club are: Field Marshal Lord Roberts, who remained president of the Club from 1891-1892 during his tenure as Commander-in-Chief of India; Major P.H. Dnyer, a distinguished producer and actor who acted in Loyalties, Interference and Mary Rose; Lord Bill Beresford, V.C. who was the Military Secretary to Viceroy Lord Lytton, famous poet and author Rudyard Kipling, Lord Kitchner, Mrs. Deane, Major General Sir Godfrey Williams, the Chief of Scouts, Colonel Baden-Powell, and Sir Dennis Fitz Patrick, Lieut-Governor of Punjab during 1895 and many others. Notable film personalities like K.L. Saigal, Prithvi Raj Kapoor, Shashi Kapoor, Jennifer Kendall, Raj Babbar, Anupam Kher, Manohar Singh, Nasseerudin Shah, frequently performed on the stage of the Gaiety theatre