HYDERABAD: In a great loss to the heritage community in the city, Dr VK Bawa, the founding vice-chairperson of Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (HUDA), now HMDA, passed away on Monday at the age of 93 in Hyderabad.
Bawa, who is known to have introduced the concept of heritage conservation to the city, was deeply involved in making the city's list of protected heritage structures by working closely on the survey by Ford Foundation conducted in 1984. He was also the former director of State archives.
"Dr Bawa's wisdom and knowledge will be greatly missed as even until recently his insights and suggestions were sought by all heritage conservationists and architects working in the city," said Sajjad Shahid, a historian from the city.
Sajjad who worked with Bawa closely in the Center for Deccan studies established in 1987, recounted his contributions to the state. "He did not take up many hands-on conservation projects, except the Mah Laqa Bai tombs in Moula Ali, but instead took the route of policy, making laws and guidelines for the protection of the heritage in the city. It can be said that he introduced the concept of heritage conservation to Hyderabad and shaped many future architects and conservationists including me," said Sajjad.
Veda Kumar, Chairman of Forum for a Better Hyderabad also expressed his shock over the demise of VK Bawa. "He was an author, historian, scholar and person of authority on Hyderabad Deccan history. Through his active years, he struggled to impress the respective governments to bring heritage legislation into their states. He in fact formed the Heritage Cell in Forum for a Better Hyderabad," said Kumar.
Bawa authored many books on Hyderabad's heritage and on the last Nizam of Hyderabad. He was a Gandhian in practice who was particularly fascinated by Central American region and culture, recounted his well-wishers.
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