Salman Rushdie's ancestral home Anees Villa cries for repair

One of the world's richest novelists, Salman Rushdie is not able to repair his ancestral home, which he finally got the possession of after winning the legal battle with the then government of Himachal Pradesh.

Built over an area of 2,934-sq yard , the typical British style home called 'Anees Villa' was gifted to him by his father Maulvi Anees Ahmed in 1969.

HOUSE NEEDS RENOVATION

The entrance gate is missing, the brick- pillars holding the gate can be seen lying on the ground -- broken by a huge eucalyptus tree which was uprooted by the winds in August 2010. The unpainted roofs and planks holding the iron sheets have decayed in rain.

Similarly, the roof ceiling is damaged because of trickling water. The window panes are missing, and the watchman, Govind Ram has temporarily fixed polythene on the frames of missing glasses. The sprawling lawn lies in a neglected state with uprooted glass

Anees Villa is losing its charm as the unchecked construction in and around the heritage building has blocked its view. The house shot to fame in 1992 and was then placed on the world tourist map. People visiting Solan often make it a point to pay a visit to this place which lies close to the Shilli Sanctuary.

THE LAST RENOVATION

Anirudh Shankardas, the caretaker of Anees Villa said that Salman Rushdie has a plan to get the heritage property restored and also plans to visit India soon.

"The property was taken care of by my father Vijay Shankardas earlier who passed away four years back. I have been visiting the property very often and had consulted some local builders who are not competent to do the restoration work. We have chalked out a detailed plan and are consulting experts to do the restoration work in a scientific and planned way," Anirudh Shankardas said.

HISTORY OF ANEES VILLA

Built in 1927, Anees Villa was purchased by Salman Rushdie's grandfather Mohammad Uldin. According to the revenue records of 1953-69, this building was declared an evacuee property by state government after the records inadvertently showed Rushdie's father having migrated to Pakistan. Rushdie staked claim on the property in 1992 and moved the court. Finally he won the case after five years and the property was restored back to him in 1997. As Rushdie was in possession of a gift deed, the property was transferred in his name.

Interestingly, Rushdie never renovated his house except for getting it painted in the year 2000, when he personally visited Solan. The state government during its possession had spent Rs 1.54 lakh on its renovation which were waived off as a goodwill gesture when Rushdie won the legal battle.

Anees Villa did not have drinking water supply and telephone connection till it was handed over to Salman Rushdie.

According to sources, Rushdie's father Anees Ahmed had first visited Solan in 1927. He also owned properties in Dalhousie (Chamba), Musoorie, Mumbai and New Delhi. Rushdie had spent his childhood in his Delhi home.

THE PROMISE OF WRITER'S HOME

Salman Rushdie visited Solan on April 13, 2000 and was charmed by the majestic Himalayan Cedar trees and salubrious environment. During his visit he had told his attorney and leading Supreme Court lawyer Vijay ST Shankardas that he wanted to convert the property into a writer's home. There was a plan to provide stay to five to six writers by converting one of the rooms into a library.

Rushdie's wish still remains a dream.

Also Read

It is a beautiful film: Salman Rushdie on Lion

Rushdies new novel on Mumbai family hit by 26/11; out in Sept