Anand Foundation Inks MoU to Revive 19th-Century Kapurthala Haveli as Cultural Epicentre
In a significant move for cultural preservation, the Anand Foundation from New Delhi has formalized a memorandum of understanding with the owners of the historic Haveli Diwan Hari Chand in Kapurthala, Punjab. This agreement sets the stage for the comprehensive restoration and regeneration of the 19th-century structure, aiming to establish it as a vibrant living centre dedicated to heritage, learning, and active community engagement.
Vision for a Multifunctional Heritage Campus
Post-restoration, the Haveli is envisioned to operate as a specialized campus focusing on the conservation and performance of musical traditions, with a particular emphasis on Gurbaṇi Sangeet. The scope extends to pedagogy, instrument-making, archival management, and in-depth scholarly study. This initiative seeks to breathe new life into endangered art forms while honoring the building's historical significance.
Key Signatories and Historical Context
The MoU was signed by Bhai Baldeep Singh, chairperson of the Anand Foundation and a renowned exponent of Gurbani Sangeet and conservation, alongside Sanjeev Chopra, a retired IAS officer representing the owner family. Chopra, formerly the director of the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie, highlighted his personal connection to the property, noting that five generations of his family grew up within its walls.
Constructed around 1860 with distinctive Nanak Shahi bricks, the Haveli spans approximately 2,983 square feet and is locally recognized as one of the oldest surviving havelis in Kapurthala's old city. It was originally the residence of Dewan Hari Chand, a senior official in the Kapurthala princely state, adding to its historical allure.
Commitment to Authentic Restoration and Cultural Mission
During the signing ceremony, Chopra expressed his firm stance against commercializing the property, stating, "While exploring its restoration, I was clear that I did not want to see the house turned into just another commercial property." He credited K B S Sidhu, Punjab's former special chief secretary, for facilitating the collaboration between the foundation and the owners.
Bhai Baldeep Singh outlined the restoration approach, emphasizing the use of vernacular materials and traditional building techniques to respect the original spatial logic of the house. He elaborated on the Haveli's proposed role as an intense campus for conserving endangered musical traditions, including wider South Asian classical repertoires, alongside instrument repair, archival work with manuscripts and recordings, and hosting research workshops and residential studies.
He further clarified, "This MoU is not about renting a picturesque old house; it is about demonstrating that a historic building can be restored in its own architectural language and then become a working home for endangered music, pedagogy, instruments, archives, and serious study, rather than simply being painted, lit and sold to tourism."
This project marks a pivotal step in blending architectural conservation with cultural revival, positioning the Haveli Diwan Hari Chand as a beacon for heritage and artistic excellence in Punjab.
