Kolkata's landmark Victoria Memorial getting makeover

Kolkata, Jul 22: Kolkata's iconic monument Victoria Memorial Hall is being given a makeover and will soon turn into an open-space cultural centre besides allowing access to hidden parts of the iconic marble edifice.

The makeover will make the British era structure a unique combination of heritage, architecture and museum, VMH curator Jayanta Sengupta said.

The authorities have decided to allow visitors access to all areas of Victoria Memorial Hall and make cultural events a regular affair on its campus.

Sengupta told PTI that as part of a Rs 60-crore renovation and modernisation programme funded by the Union Ministry of Culture, the authorities are carrying out a preventive conservation of the heritage structure of the British era.

"There is a massive cleaning exercise going on on the outside surface for the last few months and we hope to complete it by this October," he said.

He said pollution is affecting the white marble structure and Fuller's earth was being used to clean it as it does not cause any chemical reaction.

The exterior surface of the architectural marvel is made of Makrana marble, the same variety as in Taj Mahal. Parts of the architectural beauty inside the monument are now hidden under a false ceiling and false walls which are used as galleries.

"The windows and the large red sandstone walls were hidden so far. But now you will be able to see it as we will hang paintings on glass walls," the curator said.

PTI