What would you do if you had a dilapidated building of 6100 sq.ft.? Your answer would probably be that you would sell it to someone or if you are smarter, you would say you would demolish the building and construct a multi-storeyed apartment. But this family in Chennai, has renovated such a building, with the heritage intact. 

The bungalow in Chindadripet was constructed in the Chettinadu style about 137 years ago. Those days, this type of architecture could be seen only in places like Karaikudi. It speaks volumes of the owner's taste and off-beat thinking that he could build this in Chennai (Madras, then). 

Teakwood pillars, wooden beams on the ceiling, beautifully decorated doors, emergency exits, reception, open quadrangle - all traditional Chettinadu style - lot of planning had gone into the construction.

Ravaged by time and dilapidated, this bungalow, which was not fit to live, stands renovated now. After a protracted court battle, the legal heirs have got the property back.

This property belonged to Seetharama Chettiar, father of Sulochana Ammal. In his days, tenants were running a middle school cum residence. In 1968, this became the property of Sulochana Ammal, daughter of Seetharama Chettiar. Sulochana Ammal had asked the tenant to vacate since she needed the bungalow for her to live, but the tenant refused. In 1992, after her husband  (late) Dr.A.Srinivasan passed away, Sulochana and her children filed one more case in 1993 under Ownership Occupation in Madras High Court to get the property back.

A landmark judgement by the Allahabad High Court came to their rescue. In that judgement the court had ruled that if an owner of a house was staying in rented accommodation, the owner could evict the tenant in his/her house. The family filed another petition in the court, citing this judgement. Finally, in June 2000, they got their property back.

Sulochana Ammal says, "All this struggle was for living in our own house, which gives us some peace. After a long struggle, we finally got our house back in June 2000. A number of people were interested in buying the house. There were others who advised us to demolish and build a multi-storey apartment and make a neat pile. However we were clear that we would renovate it, preserving the heritage of the building". 

"We brought carpenters from Thanjavur. The rusty doors were cleaned and made functional. When we got possession of this bungalow, it was in great disrepair. Painting had been done last, about 100 years ago. A number of places in the bungalow were badly damaged. We are really happy today, that we have been able to restore this building and see this stand tall," says Raja Seetharaman.

"Not many appreciate the heritage value of such buildings. Everyone seems to look at demolition and new 'modern' construction. We did not want to do that. We have re-built without damaging a single pillar. We do have rainwater harvesting system. Does any modern house have a sky light? Ornamental doors like these? My father's wish was that we take possession of the house at least in our life time. We have fulfilled his wish. We are so happy whenever we think of the fact that we are living in the house once inhabited by our great ancestors," says Raja. 

Says Dr. Lakshmi, "We wanted to prove that we can renovate without sacrificing the heritage of this building and we have done that." 

With delight and pride in their faces, the mother and children took us around this massive bungalow, to every nook and corner, and explained in detail how they renovated and how much care they took to ensure that the heritage was not spoiled.

They had every reason to feel proud - proud that a heritage had not been destroyed.