Pune, September 16: Newly restored Jayakar Bungalow, an iconic heritage structure of Pune, being a store of digital film library was inaugurated by Prakash Javadekar at National Film Archive of India on September 15.
"The bungalow will house a digital film library where film researchers can access the rich film database of the Archive. Also available would be personalised viewing spaces for watching a movie from NFAI collection", the statement read.
The Minister meanwhile alo released a special booklet ‘Parampara: An ode to Jayakar Bungalow’ that chronicles the history of bungalow along with the story of its restoration. A special feature of the booklet is the experiences shared by some of the renowned film artists including Shabana Azmi and Rehana Sultan among others, who had stayed in Jayakar Bungalow as part of FTII girls hostel.
"Jayakar Bungalow has a special place in the art and architecture of Pune and now after restoration this is being put in use for the benefit of film researchers", said Javadekar felicitating Prasanna Gokhale, the great-granddaughter of Br M R Jayakar, who was especially present on this occasion.
A grade I heritage structure, the bungalow was built in the 1940s by Barrister M R Jayakar, a renowned national leader, member of the Constituent Assembly and first Vice-Chancellor of the University of Pune. Over the years, the ownership of the bungalow changed hands from Br Jayakar to Indian Law Society to FTII and then to NFAI.
The bungalow built in Tudor style of Architecture which is mostly found in Great Britain, is one of its kind in Pune. The exquisitely designed bungalow has wooden flooring, a narrow wooden staircase, typical of British architecture and massive bookshelves that stretch on almost to the roof. The two-storied bungalow is built in a load-bearing system with the use of coursed Stone Ashlars Masonry with lime mortar. Serene Interiors, complete with ceramic tiles and wooden ceiling.