: The famed Njattupura, a rustic building used to store rice seeds and agricultural implements where protagonist Ravi of O.V. Vijayan’s magnum opus Khasakinte Ithihasam (Legends of Khasak) taught children, has got a new lease of life, 10 years after the death of the celebrated writer. Believed to be more than a century old, Njattupura was a temporary shelter for Vijayan during the late Fifties and Sixties.
Thasrak formed the setting of his first novel when he stayed there along with his sister, who was appointed at the single-teacher school in the scenic village located on the outskirts of Palakkad, way back in 1956.
The Department of Culture has now given a facelift to the Njattupura, but retained its original character. The project cost Rs.52.7 lakh.
Its mud walls and unused well have been spruced up to provide a new experience to visitors, especially fans of Vijayan who have already converted Thasrak into a centre of literary pilgrimage. An imposing arch welcomes visitors to the Njattupura.
The Njattupura will be dedicated to the people by Minister for Cultural Affairs K.C. Joseph on March 29. A meeting in memory of the writer will be held on March 30.
The Department of Culture has also begun work on a library and reading room in the backyard of Njattupura.
The project is estimated to cost Rs.97 lakh. Arabikulam, a pond that finds prominent mention in the novel, will be renovated in the second phase. “After these works are completed, 140 granite pieces on which six renowned sculptors have carved the characters of Khasakhinte Ithihasam would be installed in various parts of the village. They are now kept at the DTPC office in Palakkad,” said K. Abdul Azeez, secretary of the O.V. Vijayan Memorial Samity. According to him, Vijayan’s fans come here from across the State. At least, three dozen people visit the village daily in search of images used by the writer.
Located in the middle of vast stretches of paddy fields, Thassarak had metamorphosed into Khasak in the acclaimed novel, published first in 1969. It has had over 50 reprints in the past 44 years.
The renovated Njattupura of the famed ‘Khasakinte Ithihasam’ takes visitors on a literary journey.
