Today the journey for unravelling something of Kolkata started a bit late; to be specific post noon only. It was planned for something else but because of the delay, it was planned to go out for something with complete address and proper comprehensible directions (by Goggle). Now this trip (unlike the previous sojourns) was unique for two reasons namely there were no photographs (strictly prohibited) and I had an accomplice in the form of ace photographer Dr. Anindya Biswas.
The venue was the Marble Palace located at Muktaram Babu Street (perpendicular to Chittaranjan Avenue, close to M G Road metro station). The palace was built by Rajah Rajendra Mullick in 1835. A live Rath welcomed us as we entered the palatial lawns; it was probably used during the recently concluded Rath and Bahuda Yatra. We were not supposed to enter the premises without an approval from the Tourism Dept. but how we entered is a different story altogether. An imposing all-marble statue of Shri Rajah Rajendro Mullick Bahadur (b. 24-06-1819 and d. 14-04-1887) also welcomes you as one approaches the main house. After completely visiting the house, I realised the original house would have been designed in some way but the items and present status suggests that the owners were very clear in making it a museum from the beginning.
The first room as one enters has 2 large billiards tables (one large and one half) which I am sure would have come much later after the starting of the palace. These tables are surrounded by white marble statues of Venus, Apollo, Faun and Flop. There is an imposing image of Anginous Mercury. It has huge vases from Japan and China made of China clay. It has large elevated vases which used to have live flowers for ensuring a natural flowering smell when the room was used.
The second room that was shown which was adjacent to the room just described carries a huge statue (almost 12-14 ft.) of Queen Victoria made of redwood. Like the previous room, it contains large busts and statues of Greek and Roman gods and goddesses. The top of the room is made of redwood.
The third room that was shown was the music room. It was characterised by large number of chandeliers, some of glass and some of marbles. The walls are adorned with huge globules (placed on elevated pedestals) made of glasses covered with mercury. This had a specific purpose I.e. in the days of no electricity, the chandeliers were lighted with candles and these globules used to reflect light, thus making the room brighter. It has 8 large vases made of Chinese clay and adorned with intricate paintings which is intact till date. The architecture on the wall catches the attention of every viewer. The walls are adorned with paintings, notable one happens to be that of Venus with Cupid. In a large glass enclosure we also have a set of instruments, notable amongst them is a sitar which has been gifted by Pt. Late Ravi Shankar.
A princely collection is a tusk of an African mammoth. The curvillinear length of the tusk would be atleast 7 ft.. Another similar casket contains various gifts given by important visitors and some trophies of participation in various sports events. It is noteworthy to mention about a painting of 'Lady of Sorrows' popularly known as Mater Dolorosa (in Latin). I had never seen any sculpture related to seasons, time and occupation. In this room, I found sculpture on Spring, Autumn, Winter, Summer, Dawn, Dusk, Agriculture and Commerce. I could not fathom the relevance of the same; would really be happy if some reader can enlighten me regarding the same.
In a pathway on the first floor, one cannot miss the collection of large number of birds drawn from various corners of the globe. Important species were Macaws, Parakeets, Gray parrots, Albino Ringneck, Gray ringneck and Lutino ringneck.
As one goes to the first floor, we have the meeting room exactly to the left of the staircase. The stairs and the bannister are made of wood; probably that is of the original times. Close to the bannister is a painting of Victoria's family and a bust of Queen Victoria. A unique thing pertaining to the white bust is the impeccable care that has been taken in making the same. The curves of her cloth and the spots on the same are clearly visible. Besides, there is a glaze in her eyes which makes the bust lively. Madonna with her child, a painting of Sassoferrato also catches ones eye. One cannot also miss the Spanish Armada painting. I thought the painting collection was through but more was yet to come.
The meeting room is also exquisite with a huge mirror made of Belgian glass; it catches everyone's attention because of the brass architecture on the borders and whose polish is still intact. It has a clock made of 8 kgs of gold. Rajah Ravi Verma's collection is quiet large. The ones hung on the walls are huge in size say 10 ft. by 5 ft. in size. It has one of Dushyant & Shakuntala and Rajah Harishchandra depicted in a ghat. A painting of Rajah Mullick himself mentioning the famous Parashnath Temple along with few horses also adorned the walls. The ceiling is made of pure brass.
The corridor on the first floor is adorned with sculptures of Venus, Homer, Flora, Mater Delorosa, Baccante, a La Eglais (church) and Cleopatra. The dancing room was next. It has a wooden flooring. Two single large Belgian glass almost synonymous in size with the width of the hall catches the eyes. The intrinsic and ornate design on the border of each is impeccable. It has to be seen to enjoy the same. A painting of last supper catches the eye. It was probably used for modern western dancing as well as eastern dancing by courtesans.
Another corridor that leads to the last room is adorned with small cages with Redbreasted brown conures, Nandia conures, Red Rosella (from Australia), Brown tailed conure, Damon red rosalla, jandia conure, eastern Rosella, sun conure and Quaker conures.
The last room known as paiting room is tastefully decorated with a painting of Jacob Chez Taban, depicting the marriage of Abraham and Hagar. Notable paintings that also adorn the walls are of St. Sebastian and Sappho. It has a grandfather's clock which still works. A painting of Murillo is also seen. The prized painting of the lot is the one by Rubens, yes the famed one. It depicts the "Mystic marriage of St. Catherine". It has paintings of Cleopatra and three separate paintings of damsels which the guide told that was probably of the dancers of the kings' court.
Dr. Biswas also sighed that had photography been allowed we would have got away with some rare pictures for posterity. Summing up, if one thinks of making a palatial bungalow, this palace should be visited to see what all can be kept and rather what must be kept.
The second room that was shown which was adjacent to the room just described carries a huge statue (almost 12-14 ft.) of Queen Victoria made of redwood. Like the previous room, it contains large busts and statues of Greek and Roman gods and goddesses. The top of the room is made of redwood.
The third room that was shown was the music room. It was characterised by large number of chandeliers, some of glass and some of marbles. The walls are adorned with huge globules (placed on elevated pedestals) made of glasses covered with mercury. This had a specific purpose I.e. in the days of no electricity, the chandeliers were lighted with candles and these globules used to reflect light, thus making the room brighter. It has 8 large vases made of Chinese clay and adorned with intricate paintings which is intact till date. The architecture on the wall catches the attention of every viewer. The walls are adorned with paintings, notable one happens to be that of Venus with Cupid. In a large glass enclosure we also have a set of instruments, notable amongst them is a sitar which has been gifted by Pt. Late Ravi Shankar.
A princely collection is a tusk of an African mammoth. The curvillinear length of the tusk would be atleast 7 ft.. Another similar casket contains various gifts given by important visitors and some trophies of participation in various sports events. It is noteworthy to mention about a painting of 'Lady of Sorrows' popularly known as Mater Dolorosa (in Latin). I had never seen any sculpture related to seasons, time and occupation. In this room, I found sculpture on Spring, Autumn, Winter, Summer, Dawn, Dusk, Agriculture and Commerce. I could not fathom the relevance of the same; would really be happy if some reader can enlighten me regarding the same.
In a pathway on the first floor, one cannot miss the collection of large number of birds drawn from various corners of the globe. Important species were Macaws, Parakeets, Gray parrots, Albino Ringneck, Gray ringneck and Lutino ringneck.
As one goes to the first floor, we have the meeting room exactly to the left of the staircase. The stairs and the bannister are made of wood; probably that is of the original times. Close to the bannister is a painting of Victoria's family and a bust of Queen Victoria. A unique thing pertaining to the white bust is the impeccable care that has been taken in making the same. The curves of her cloth and the spots on the same are clearly visible. Besides, there is a glaze in her eyes which makes the bust lively. Madonna with her child, a painting of Sassoferrato also catches ones eye. One cannot also miss the Spanish Armada painting. I thought the painting collection was through but more was yet to come.
The meeting room is also exquisite with a huge mirror made of Belgian glass; it catches everyone's attention because of the brass architecture on the borders and whose polish is still intact. It has a clock made of 8 kgs of gold. Rajah Ravi Verma's collection is quiet large. The ones hung on the walls are huge in size say 10 ft. by 5 ft. in size. It has one of Dushyant & Shakuntala and Rajah Harishchandra depicted in a ghat. A painting of Rajah Mullick himself mentioning the famous Parashnath Temple along with few horses also adorned the walls. The ceiling is made of pure brass.
The corridor on the first floor is adorned with sculptures of Venus, Homer, Flora, Mater Delorosa, Baccante, a La Eglais (church) and Cleopatra. The dancing room was next. It has a wooden flooring. Two single large Belgian glass almost synonymous in size with the width of the hall catches the eyes. The intrinsic and ornate design on the border of each is impeccable. It has to be seen to enjoy the same. A painting of last supper catches the eye. It was probably used for modern western dancing as well as eastern dancing by courtesans.
Another corridor that leads to the last room is adorned with small cages with Redbreasted brown conures, Nandia conures, Red Rosella (from Australia), Brown tailed conure, Damon red rosalla, jandia conure, eastern Rosella, sun conure and Quaker conures.
The last room known as paiting room is tastefully decorated with a painting of Jacob Chez Taban, depicting the marriage of Abraham and Hagar. Notable paintings that also adorn the walls are of St. Sebastian and Sappho. It has a grandfather's clock which still works. A painting of Murillo is also seen. The prized painting of the lot is the one by Rubens, yes the famed one. It depicts the "Mystic marriage of St. Catherine". It has paintings of Cleopatra and three separate paintings of damsels which the guide told that was probably of the dancers of the kings' court.
Dr. Biswas also sighed that had photography been allowed we would have got away with some rare pictures for posterity. Summing up, if one thinks of making a palatial bungalow, this palace should be visited to see what all can be kept and rather what must be kept.
Mind blowing...Amaging unknown facts...
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