11/07/2013
The 12th century Nagaur Fort managed by Mehrangarh Museum Trust has been shortlisted for prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture. The conservation project at Nagaur Fort shortlisted from 800 nominations is among the top 20 finalists. The shortlist of nominees for the 2013 cycle of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture was announced on 30th April 2013 at the Palacio das Necessidades (the Ministry of Foreign Affairs). The 20 nominees for the US$ 1 million prize range from a modern high rise apartment block to the revival of traditional building techniques. Shortlisted projects, which are selected by an independent Master Jury, are located in Afghanistan, Austria, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Rwanda, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Thailand and Yemen. The Aga Khan Award for Architecture is given every three years to projects that set new standards of excellence in architecture, planning practices, historic preservation and landscape architecture. Through its efforts, the Award seeks to identify and encourage building concepts that successfully address the needs and aspirations of societies across the world, in which Muslims have a significant presence. Nagaur Fort after Independence was used as office of the district administration, and later by the Border Security Force. It was in 1985 that the fort was placed in the care of the Mehrangarh Museum Trust, a non-profit foundation dedicated to conservation and preservation of Heritage with Maharaja Gaj Singh II as its managing trustee, and the conservation of the fort was then assigned to architect Minakshi Jain Spread over 36 acres, the fort was in a decaying condition. Taking over conservation in 1993, the Trust got support from the Getty Foundation of USD 2.50 lakh with an equal amount chipped in by the Mehrangarh Museum Trust. The fort has gradually been restored to its former glory with the support of four grants from Getty, two from the British-based Helen Hamlyn Trust and contributions from the Maharaja’s charity and MMT among others. The Mehrangarh Museum Trust’s commitment and perseverance towards the conservation and rehabilitation of the Fort sets a unique example in the field of Historic rehabilitation. Remarkably, in 2002, Ahhichatragarh, the Fort of Nagaur had won UNESCO Asia- Pacific Heritage Award for Culture Heritage Conservation. And to name few, Mehrangarh Museum Trust is also a recipient of Award of Distinction by UNESCO in 2005, Fassa Bortolo Italy in 2011 and Hadrian Award in 2006 by World Monuments Fund. As a part of its commitment for preservation and conservation of tangible and intangible heritage, every year, the International Sufi Music Festival i.e “World Sufi Spirit Festival” is celebrated at Ahhichatragarh reviving the glory by bringing together musicians from different parts of India and the world, supporting the life at the fort and thereby preserving the cultural heritage. This captivating music festival has been rated among top elite music festival in the world by Conde Nast. This rehabilitation project has leaded an encouraging influence on advancing the architectural conservation movement in the state of Rajasthan. The shortlisted projects are now being technically evaluated by a selected group of architects, urban planners and engineers. The review, which highlights both the impact on the quality of life and architectural excellence, will be submitted in June to the Master Jury for closer evaluation. Five to six finalists will then be selected and announced at a ceremony to be held in Lisbon in September 2013. About the Aga Khan Award for Architecture The Aga Khan Award for Architecture was established by the Aga Khan in 1977 to identify and encourage building concepts that successfully address the needs and aspirations of communities in which Muslims have a significant presence. The Award recognizes examples of architectural excellence in the fields of contemporary design, social housing, community improvement and development, historic preservation, reuse and area conservation, as well as landscape design and improvement of the environment. The Award is governed by a Steering Committee chaired by His Highness the Aga Khan. About the Mehrangarh Museum Trust Mehrangarh Museum Trust is India's leading cultural institution and centre of excellence, established in 1972 by the 36th Custodian of Marwar- Jodhpur, H. H. Maharaja Gaj Singh II, who brought the fort alive to visitors. Today, Mehrangarh Museum has a unique importance as a repository of the artistic and cultural history of the large areas of Central Rajasthan and Marwar-Jodhpur, ruled by the Rathore Dynasty. The Museum displays one of the most important and best preserved collections of fine and applied arts from the Mughal period of Indian history, during which the Rathore rulers of Jodhpur maintained close links with the Mughal Emperors. Apart from the Museum, the Trust is at the forefront of conservation and restoration, a generous patron of the arts and music and a lively centre of academic study. The Mehrangarh Museum Trust is a recipient of the UNESCO ASIA-PACIFIC Award in the field of architectural conservation, cultural heritage and adaptive reuse in 2005 and is also a recipient of Fassa Bortolo, Hadrian Award etc.
