Saifee villa

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Saifee Villa (Previously Known as "Lakshmigiri")

Situated at : 102, Thurstan Road, Colombo 3, Sri Lanka

Note: NOT to be mistaken with Saifee Villa, Matheran, India


History

Lakshmigiri was built in 1910 by the philanthropist Mr A.J.R. de Soysa [1]. This Bungalow is an example of the beautiful colonial architecture of the time. "[2]

In the book "India House, Colombo" by Sarvodaya Vishvalekha, Lakshmigiri is described as an extravagant mix of Baroque and Italianate architecture reminiscent of a retreat of Queen Victoria with gates inspired by those of Buckingham Palace. It is blend of French and Kandyan styles.[3]

It is in this house that Mr de Soysa entertained the Duke of Edinburgh to a banquet where the where the cutlery of the entire banquet was gold, silver; studded with rubies, emeralds and pearls.[4]

The Gates of Lakshmigiri are identical to the gates of the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. It said that designer of the Egyptian Museum gates[5] was inspired by the design of the Gates of Lakshmigiri.

According to 'Colombo Heritage' as time ran on the Soysa ran into financial difficulties and various properties were sold off, the house was mortgaged, and later foreclosed. It was then bought by the wealthy Muslim "Adamjee Lukmanjee" family. [6] and has remained in their ownership to date under the name "Saifee Villa".[7].[8]

The Adamjee Lukmanjee Family are members of the Muslim Dawoodi Bohra community. They were honoured to house the Head of the Community; His Holiness Syenda Taher Saifuddin on all of his five visits to Sri Lanka. Lakshmigiri housed the Syedna and his royal family. It was considered a center for the community in Sri Lanka, as it was the venue for numerous sermons and gatherings.

In 1972, after the death of Syenda Taher Saifuddin, his heir Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, in the memory of his father visits, changed the name from "Lakshmigiri" to "Saifee Villa" (where the word "Saifee" is derived from the name Saifuddin). The crown of the gates of Lakshmigiri adorns a beautiful "S" that once stood for "Soysa" family, after the name-change to "Saifee Villa", the "S" is still appropriate.

Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin has stayed at Saifee Villa on one occasion. Nevertheless, Saifee Villa still hosts numerous functions, and religious gatherings. In the year 2008 and 2009, His Holiness Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin held the auspicious 9 sermons of Ashara Mubaraka in Colombo, Sri Lanka. On both occasions, Saifee Villa[9] was chosen as the venue for his arrival reception. Dig [10]. Dignitaries such as Mr A. H. M. Fowzie were present at this event to welcome His Holiness.


Refernces

  1. ^ The Soysa Family, Padma Edirisinghe
  2. ^ The People and Homes on Thurstan Road & Cambridge Place - Fifty Years ago, Fazli Sameer
  3. ^ Lakshmigiri, Padma Edirisinghe
  4. ^ The Soysa Family, Padma Edirisinghe
  5. ^ [http://cache.virtualtourist.com/2964834-Egyptian_Museum-Cairo.jpg Picture taken from Virtual Tourist]
  6. ^ Adamjee Lukmanjee
  7. ^ The People and Homes on Thurstan Road & Cambridge Place - Fifty Years ago, Fazli Sameer
  8. ^ Lakshmigiri/Saifee Villa, Padma Edirisinghe
  9. ^ Malumaat
  10. ^ International Bohra leader arrives in Sri Lanka, Asian Tribune
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