Historic MacMurdo Bungalow in Kutch Faces Imminent Collapse
Perched atop a hill in Anjar, Kutch, the historic bungalow of Captain James MacMurdo, the first British Resident of Kutch, stands as a crumbling testament to a forgotten era. Once a sanctuary for the rare Kamangari wall paintings, this state-protected monument is now a derelict shell, with its doors, sections of walls, and parts of the ceiling long gone, highlighting severe neglect.
The Man Behind the Masonry: MacMurdo's Legacy
Historian Pradip Zaveri reveals the intriguing story of Captain James MacMurdo. Before his official appointment in 1816, MacMurdo lived in Anjar disguised as 'Bhuria Bawa', a spy posing as an ascetic. He later constructed this bungalow to mirror his home in England, but uniquely filled its walls with the soul of Kutch through Kamangari art.
These murals depicted scenes from the Ramayana, royal processions, and intricate floral patterns known as sint, representing the pinnacle of local decorative art. Zaveri explains, "The Kamangar community, Muslim bow-makers from Sindh, used natural mineral dyes to bring mythology to life. Today, their art is extinct, and few in Anjar even know this site exists."
Scholarly Contributions and Ongoing Neglect
The bungalow also preserves MacMurdo's legacy as a scholar. Dalpat Danidharia, a veteran archivist leading the 'I Will Look After My Monuments' campaign, notes, "MacMurdo mastered the Kutchi language and documented the devastating 1819 earthquake. The Kamangari artists were given total freedom here, creating a style that once adorned the havelis of the wealthy. Now, most are lost."
Danidharia adds that the neglect extends to MacMurdo's tomb in Varnu village, where he died of cholera in 1820. "Both the bungalow and the tomb are on the brink of collapse. We must act now to preserve what remains of this historical and artistic heritage."
Urgent Call for Revival and Sustainability
The call for revival is growing increasingly urgent. Artist couple Bhagyashree and Nikhil Nagda, who relocated from Mumbai to Kutch to revive Kamangari art, emphasize that restoration is only part of the solution. They state, "MacMurdo's Bungalow is a masterpiece that needs immediate care. But the real challenge is sustainability. We must find innovative ways to keep these monuments alive and protected for future generations, or we risk losing this artistic heritage forever."
Their efforts highlight the broader need for community involvement and long-term preservation strategies to safeguard such cultural treasures from further decay.
