An estate bungalow of Raj goes to seed

Peerumade Tea Company has remained shut for over 20 years

It was once an estate bungalow where top officials of Peerumade Tea Company Ltd. lived. The British-era bungalow has fallen into disrepair now, with creepers conquering the main structure. Another bungalow at the Lone Tree division of the estate is no more.

The degeneration of the buildings is complete with the tea plantation remaining closed for two decades since a global crisis hit the industry. The estate, spread over 3,000 acres, had 1,600 workers on its roll when it was abandoned by the management.

The skeletal bungalow represents the state of things at the estate where 500 workers eke out a living by plucking green leaves or working outside. Others have left the area as time passed.

“There was a well maintained garden, cattle shed, car porch and open area in front of the main structure,” says author Sunitha Srinivasan, who had spent her early childhood in the bunglow. She was the daughter of an official who worked here 40 years ago.

The plantation life was lively and it was a flourishing village almost self-sufficient then, she says. Ms. Srinivasan and her husband Markus Pfefferer visited the bungalow recently prior to the release of her book Trailblazers of the Travancore Plantations, which deals with the early plantation life in Peerumade taluk.

The beautiful bungalows in typical British architecture had many features and some of the items used, including tiles, were imported from there. A hearth, decorated wooden structures, main entrance, and a wide kitchen area are a common feature. They are often situated on a hill with a good view of the tea garden.

As one moves through the bungalow now, its degeneration could be gauged. It is difficult to enter inside with creepers and plants overgrown on the broken tiles. The roof has almost fallen except in the front.