On the threshold of regaining past glory

Hyderabad: It is a small but a significant step in restoring the past glory of the Golden Threshold where freedom fighter and poet Sarojini Naidu settled down after her marriage. The over 100-year-old main structure is yet to be restored, but the open spaces around it are being used to convert the heritage complex into a cultural hub.

Rajkumari Indira Devi Dhanrajgir donated Rs 20 lakh four years ago. The Golden Threshold which is under the University of Hyderabad (UoH) has been planning for long to convert the complex into a cultural hub. The hall will be inaugurated by the Cultural Advisor to Government of Telangana, Dr K V Ramanachary.

Vinod Pavarala, Senior Professor of Communications, Sarojini Naidu School of Arts & Communication, University of Hyderabad, says, "There are open spaces in the Golden Threshold and the Rajkumari Indira Devi Hall is in the modern building, which houses the Centre for Distance Education. Opening the hall is a step towards realising the goal of creating a cultural hub in the centre of the city."

He further added, "The hall is acoustically treated and can seat 100 people. It will be let out to literary and cultural groups for a nominal amount which is to be decided."

On the anvil:

200-seater auditorium

A 200-seater auditorium with a capacity to seat 200 is also being planned that would be ideal for theatre production, dance performances, book readings and literary gatherings. The halls are behind the main building and we want to leverage the indoor as well as outdoor spaces, said Vinod Pavarala.

Open air stage

An open air stage is also on the anvil. University officials say the space would be ideal to screen films and hold reading sessions. The place has historic importance as it was a hub of political activity in pre-independent India.

Reopening dialogue with INTACH

A few years ago, the Indian National trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) submitted a proposal for the restoration of Golden Threshold at an estimated cost of Rs 4 crore, but the cash-strapped UoH was unable to take up restoration. Authorities are now upbeat after the university was recently accorded Institute of Eminence (IOE) status.

Plans are to have an art gallery and a museum dedicated to Sarojini Naidu's life.

TIMELINE

1. Named after the first poetry collection of freedom fighter and poet Sarojini Naidu, Golden Threshold was where Naidu first settled in after her marriage to Dr Govindarajulu Naidu
2. The house was a hub of political activity with nationalist leaders from across the country gathering at Golden Threshold.
3. Mahatma Gandhi too stayed here and also planted a tree which still stands
4. The Golden Threshold was handed over to the UoH in the 1970s by Sarojini Naidu's daughter Padmaja Naidu
5. The University of Hyderabad (UoH) was born in 1974 in this building
6. The Fine Arts and Communication School was named the Sarojini Naidu School, the university's only school to be named after an individual
7. Built in an Indo-European style of architecture, with huge Islamic-style arches, and a colonial-style colonnaded verandah, the structure needs immediate repairs