The family members of Goalpariya folk legend Padmashree Pratima Baruah Pandey officially handed over the historic Matiabag Hawa Mahal to the Assam State Cultural Department for its restoration and preservation.

The hawa mahal was the matrimonial house of the folk legend and the icon of Gauripur Zamindari Estate in Dhubri.

Apart from the historic Hawa Mahal, the family also handed over the land at Matiabag for the establishment of a museum to preserve the life and fame of the Pratima Barua Pandey along with Devdas filmmaker Pramathesh Chandra Barua and history of Gauripur Zamindari Estate.

Along with the Hawa Mahal, which has 24 rooms, the government also acquired other historic items from the historic Gauripur Estate, including Pratima Barua Pandey and filmmaker Pramathesh Chandra Barua's historic items, oil paintings, antique weapons, and rare pictures. Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, the chief minister of Assam, handed the family Rs. 15,20,82,000.

Taking to Twitter, State Tourism Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah said, “Our government intends to preserve the exalted structure as a heritage centre so that the legacy of the renowned family could be maintained.”

“We are hopeful to finish all the development activities in and around Hawa Mahal by January 1, 2024 under the guidance of HCM Dr @himantabiswa sir,” he added.