Gandhi Bazaar to relive the magic of Masti

BANGALORE: Come Friday and Kannada writer Masti Venkatesha Iyengar will come alive in Gandhi Bazaar, south Bangalore. Theatre artiste Mahesh Pallakki will walk in Masti's trademark attire to mark the Jnanpith awardee's 123rd birth anniversary.
The walk is part of Masti Chocolate; Masti Nadige Kathegala Kadege, a unique programme envisioned by writer and theatre activist Mounesh Badiger, to pay tribute to the eminent writer whose works earned him the epithet Kannadada Aasthi (Kannada asset).The initiative has been sponsored by the India Foundation for the Arts.
Preparations for the event began some two months ago when Mounesh started reading Masti's short stories at Suchithra Film Society. "The main programme is scheduled for Friday. We will start from Gavipuram Guttahalli, where Masti lived, and walk till Bugle Rock. Mahesh will be dressed in the writer's signature white dhoti (kache panche) and a Chinese collar black coat. He will also sport a muffler and a black topi. The walk, which will have writers, students, theatre activists and Masti's contemporaries, will begin at 6pm, with the brigade passing through Gandhi Bazaar main road, Basavanagudi Club, (next to Tagore Circle) -- a place frequented by Masti -- and DV Gundappa Road,'' said Mounesh.
Masti always carried chocolates in his coat and gave them to children as he walked along the Gandhi Baazar Road on his way to Basavanagudi Club. Mahesh will replicate that. "It was a tough task finding a coat like Masti's. We had to visit umpteen number of shops. Finally, we came across one in a Shivajinagar shop," said Mounesh. The writer would always have an umbrella, not just to brave the sun or rain but also to shield himself from birds' droppings.
"It's not just an imitation of Masti. Yes, I will dress up like him and take a symbolic walk. But I am thrilled because I will be walking as Masti, a great writer,'' said Pallaki.