‘Golden Threshold’ in Hyderabad set for revival

The University of Hyderabad commenced the restoration works on the historic home of poet, freedom fighter and first woman governor Sarojini Naidu. The works are expected to be completed by November

Hyderabad: The University of Hyderabad commenced restoration works on Golden Threshold, the historic home of poet, freedom fighter, and first woman Governor Sarojini Naidu. This marks the beginning of the cultural revival in one of Hyderabad’s oldest buildings.

Located in Abids, the 19th-century building was once a hub for artists, writers, and political thinkers during the freedom movement. The building name was derived from Naidu’s first collection of poetry, ‘The Golden Threshold’, published in 1905.

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Built in an Indo-European style of architecture and a colonial-style colonnaded Verandah by Aghornath Chattopadhyay, Sarojini Naidu’s father, the first Indian principal of Nizam College, the building has 10 rooms.

Over the years, the structure took a heavy beating due to various issues, including water seepage and vegetation growth. Major damage has been caused to the roof and walls of the building. Now, the UoH administration that has taken up the works is restoring all architectural features to their original form, with the help of conservation specialists. Efforts are being made to ensure all the historical and cultural legacy of Naidu is preserved in the restoration process.

“Roof and walls of the building have been damaged. Complete restoration of the Golden Threshold building is ongoing, and it is likely to be completed by November,” UoH Engineer Lt. Colonel C H Rao told ‘Telangana Today’.

The works are aimed at preserving the historic structure, besides reviving cultural space for institutional use purposes. “There is a plan to turn the Golden Threshold into a cultural centre or institutional facility,” Lt Colonel Rao said.

After Sarojini Naidu’s daughter, Padmaja Naidu, donated the building to the University of Hyderabad in 1974, the University commenced its operations, where social sciences and humanities departments functioned. The UoH moved to its present campus in Gachibowli in 1988. As an off-campus, the varsity used to operate its Sarojini Naidu School of Arts and Communication till 2003 before moving to its present campus.

As per records, Mahatma Gandhi twice visited the Golden Threshold, once in April 1929 and again in March 1934. During his second visit, Gandhi laid the foundation stone for Gopal Clinic, a naturopathy clinic, in Hyderabad.