Charles Correa’s creation, Kasturba Smriti Mandir, cries for ASI help

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Jayant Patil, the administration officer, explains that since the Palace is a monument of national importance, its maintenance comes under Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). “An official of ASI had surveyed the area last year and had made note of the maintenance work required at the Palace. We haven’t been given any intimation as to when they will begin the work here,” he says.

“Built on three columns, the structure is situated at a low height due to which a lot of water enters inside during the rainy season, which has affected the walls. The last time it was painted was in 1995. Earlier, around 20 photos of Kasturba Gandhi and the activities carried out by her like the Bhoodan Movement, would adorn the walls of the rooms. Two years ago, we removed all the pictures to avoid damage to them. A wooden arch and the big photo of Kasturba have been shifted from here to another hall situated in the palace,” says Ganesh Dhotre, manager, Aga Khan Palace. He says that till two years ago, every year on February 22, Kasturba’s death anniversary, a week-long an exhibition of around 100 pictures showcased Kasturba’s life and times.

Architect Charles Correa

From 1981 to 1993, Kasturba Smriti Mandir would buzz with students who would enroll for various courses. While a certificate course in social work was sponsored by Central Welfare Board, a the 10-month-long course in weaving and spinning conducted by Khadi and Village Industries Commission was introduced in mid-1980s. “Women from across the country would attend these courses. Unfortunately, as the response declined over the years, the social work course was stopped in 1990 and the spinning-weaving in 1993,” says Dhotre.

Currently, various other vocational courses are run under the aegis of Kasturba Gandhi Khadi Gramodyog Vidyalaya, under which the participants are given training in making spices, candles, incense sticks, perfumes and so on.

Drawing parallels between the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Museum at the Sabarmati Ashram of Ahmedabad and Kasturba Smriti Mandir, Pune-based historian Pandurang Balkawade says, “He (Correa) had immense regard for Gandhiji and thus he tried to reflect Bapu’s ideologies through these structures that are immense and warm- just like the Gandhis.”