The government’s ambitious plan to develop the birthplaces of three important Kannada writers — Masti Venkatesha Iyengar, Da. Ra. Bendre and G.S. Shivarudrappa — is yet to take off, even though Rs. 1 crore was set aside in the previous budget for this.
Though the government’s plan was to develop their native homes on the lines of Kavishaila, the picturesque memorial of Kannada poet Kuvempu at Kuppalli, there are many logistical problems, according to K.A. Dayanand, Director of the Department of Kannada and Culture.
Space is a major constraint as far as Masti’s place of birth — Hosahalli in Kolar district — is concerned. It is located on a 20x20 site and a library is being run there by the Masti Trust with grants from the government. Writer Masti spent much of his time in the Gavipuram house in Bengaluru, where his granddaughter now resides. The family is not in a position to part with this house to develop it into a memorial on the lines of Kavishaila.
Bendre’s home ‘Shree Matha’, located near Sadhana Keri in Dharwad, is now the residence of his son Vamana Bendre. He has given a stretch of land on the premises for the construction of Bendre Bhavan. “But, he is not prepared to hand over the house,” said Mr. Dayanand.
The problem on developing a memorial for Shivarudrappa is even more complicated. Though he was born at Isur in Shikaripur taluk of Shivamogga district, nothing much pertaining to the poet remains there. The writer spent most of his time in Bengaluru.
The department can develop his Banashankari house by setting up a library and an auditorium, besides exhibiting rare collection of books and other things that belonged to the writer.
“Discussions are on with various stakeholders on the alternatives to develop memorials,” Mr. Dayanand said.
