Frere Hall’s tangible heritage – Pakistan

KARACHI: In a recent event held to discuss how to democratize heritage in our part of the world, the architect Arif Hasan made a remarkable point. He said there are a couple of types of tangible heritage: one, which arises as a result of planning; two, that people believe themselves. The iconic Karachi neo-Gothic Frere Hall definitely falls into the first category. But for a considerable period of time, signs of the latter have also been noted in its facilities.

For example, the Sunday book bazaar that was created years ago in the open space in front of the main entrance of the building, which was suspended and then revived last year, is something that book lovers, especially those who cannot Pay for expensive books available at flashy malls, absolutely love. Now, recently, Frere Hall has been at the center of a debate that is not the focus of this piece. However, this is what one wants to emphasize:

On Sunday, September 8, a visit to the book fair was not as physically enriching as it used to be, because while one goes there to buy cheap books, the idea is also to embed the general atmosphere around the brilliant work of the masonry. Which was the reason? Answer: it was quite hot, and there was no shamiana (awning) that usually housed the book stands. When asked why, one of the vendors responded that the authorities had forbidden them to use the shamiana because it is supported by posts and attached to the ground with pegs.

You feel it is a fair point. No one should be allowed to damage any part of the heritage structure and the area around it. But then, what are the alternatives? One has to find the corresponding alternatives. On Sunday, the booksellers had set up their outdoor tables with two rows protected by trees flanking the rest of the tables. The merchants stayed under the trees, and if a customer asked for a book that was not in the shade, they would get up and arrive at the place where the customer should tell him the book. It was a nuisance. After all, the sun was burning, which can be quite disconcerting even for the most voracious readers.

Now that I think about it, children who play in the giant shadow cast by the majestic building must be praised. Smart lot

Posted on Dawn, September 13, 2019