The prestigious UNESCO Asia Pacific Merit award for cultural heritage conservation was presented to Chowmahalla Palace on Tuesday, March 15, 2011. UNESCO representative Takahiko Makino formally handed over the plaque and certificate to Princess Esra, former wife of Prince Mukarram Jah Bahadur. The award ceremony was attended by members of the royal family and other dignitaries, officials and members of the conservation project team.
The Asaf Jahi rulers, once ruled from the Chowmahalla Palace. The complex bagged the coveted award after edging out heritage sites in 43 countries. UNESCO appreciated the restoration of the palace and efforts to rescue ‘an extraordinary complex from years of abandonment’. The project has restored a ‘cultural oasis’ in the heart of Hyderabad providing the public a glimpse into the lives of the Asaf Jah rulers, the citation says.
Princess Esra is credited with overseeing the systematic and high quality restoration work that has been carried out at the sprawling palace complex. Work began in August 2000 with a multi disciplinary team of architects, urban designers, conservationists, art consultants, museum experts, historians, textile restores and scholars. The result is a museum complex in the heart of the old city that has become a popular destination for citizens and tourists alike.
Deepthi Sasidharan who worked as part of the team that documented the museum collections was present at the event and amongst those awarded a certificate. She is the Director of Eka Cultural Resources and Research.