Among the various heritage buildings of the city that I have written about, Gokhale Hall on Armenian Street, the property of the Young Men’s Indian Association (YMIA) remains a personal favourite. My interest in it was kindled by repeated references in relation to Carnatic music performances between 1915 and the 1950s, for it was a favoured venue despite its sub-par acoustics. From there, I progressed to learning about its fabled history — founded by Annie Besant, its association with freedom and social struggles, Jawaharlal Nehru’s moving tribute to it, and its long role in shaping the youth by its championing physical fitness and many indoor sports.
That such a historic building should be languishing was a matter of sorrow. And I was delighted when Arun Menon, Professor (Structural Engineering), Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Madras and Coordinator, National Centre for Safety of Heritage Structures (NCSHS), wrote to me gently chiding me for continuing to pen jeremiads in Madras Musings on the building when matters are actually progressing towards restoration. He says the YMIA has signed a tripartite MoU with the NCSHS and the National Council for Science Museums (NCSM), Kolkata, under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, in September 2022 for a project aimed at adapting the heritage structure into a Museum of the Freedom Struggle, with emphasis on freedom fighters from Tamil Nadu.
After a thorough study spanning over eight months, NCSHS submitted a feasibility report for use of the heritage building for the above purpose, together with a detailed project report with the necessary structural restoration interventions and ancillary facilities to cater to such an activity in the building. The museum layout has been designed by NCSM.
