1. What is the background of INTACH Pondicherry?

INTACH Pondicherry Chapter was started in 1984 under the Convenorship of Jayantilal Parekh. Being a unique city with its distinct French and Tamil architectural heritage, the activities of the Pondicherry chapter were directed towards its protection. It was during this period that the first heritage database - listing, grading and mapping of the 1800 heritage buildings in French and Tamil Towns was carried out in collaboration with EFEO (Ecole Francais d'Extreme Orient's) This list is kept updated and a copy is given to the Pondicherry Planning Authority (PPA) for the purpose of scrutinizing building applications.

The organization's work in Architectural Heritage got a boost with a workshop held at the EFEO in 1988 by professors and students of various architecture colleges. In 1998 the Conservation Cell was started with funding from the Town and Country Planning Department (TCPD), Government of Pondicherry to help the process of heritage preservation. Now the organisation works with various Government departments like the Pondicherry Planning Authority (PPA), Public Works Department (PWD), Art & Culture, Tourism, Municipality, EFEO and Institut francais de Pondicherry (IFP) apart from the individual building owners, architects and engineers.

2. How does one become a members?

Interested individuals can fill out a standard form with required membership fee (annual/life/student/institutional memberships) and submit it to us. However, even without being a member one can offer his / her voluntary work to the organisation.

3. What is the understanding between Pondicherry Planning Authority (PPA), Town & Country Planning Department (TCPD) & INTACH?

The Conservation Cell of INTACH was established as an advisory body and funded by the TCPD (in 1998) to work in 5 specific areas as follows:

  1. To act as an interface with the public to achieve conservation objectives

  2. To help frame conservation and architectural control guidelines

  3. To update listing and prepare documentation to educate the public

  4. To provide architectural consultancy to building owners and architects to enable them to convert/modernize/extend/rebuild and newly build their buildings in harmony with the architectural character of the street/locality/town at a reasonable rate.

  5. To assist Planning Authorities in clearing the building applications in the Boulevard Town by interacting with owners and builders to find ways to preserve the structure, failing which suggest architectural facade design to ensure that the new building blends harmoniously in the heritage areas.

4.What is a heritage value building?

There is a definition of national standard (issued by the Ministry of Urban Development) for listing and grading of buildings which are to be adopted according to the regional context. In the case of Pondicherry, apart from the major monuments like Lighthouse, Raj Nivas, Churches, Temples, Mosques, and the Ashram, all the old houses and buildings built with traditional materials and having traditional architectural features (French/Tamil) -are considered as heritage value buildings. The grading (I, IIA, IIB and III) is based on historic significance, aesthetic values, , architectural features etc.

5. Why protect all private houses - isn't it sufficient just to protect monuments and grand buildings like the lighthouse or Raj Nivas?

Pondicherry does not have a large number of monumental buildings (in fact 99% of all buildings are residential structures) but still it has a special charm and especially the visitors and tourists are captivated and intrigued by it- why?

This is because the hundreds of ordinary houses, built in the traditional style, whether in Tamil or French parts, give it the defining character. It is these houses that create the special character of the streets and a collection of these streets form the town.

In the French part it is the orderly villas with their simple fenestrations, ornate cornices, pilasters, balconies and elaborate gateways that set the tone and ambience. In the Tamil part, it is the endless rows of verandahs and pillars that give a special feel to the town. The essence of any vernacular architecture (almost anywhere in the world) is that they share common patterns and language that is repeated in endless diversity. All houses are similar, but no two houses are same - and that's the beauty of it. Also these houses are solidly built and well adapted to climatic and social conditions.