Mysuru: With the family of Mr R.K. Narayan consenting to hand over his bungalow to the government at a cost of Rs 2.40 Crores, exactly three years and nine months since it was declared a heritage building the structure is all set for restoration.
The tender for the restoration work has been finalised. The work is likely to begin in a fortnight’s time, MCC Commissioner, Dr C. G. Betsurmath told Deccan Chronicle. Mysore Urban Development Authority had under the provisions of Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act 1961 declared the residence of prominent Indian English writer Mr R. K. Narayan a heritage building in September 2011 soon after its demolition was stopped, preventing a multi storied apartment planned by a private party, from coming up in its place.
Mysuru City Corporation has now negotiated with the family members of Mr Narayan and has purchased the Bungalow and the Site at a cost of Rs 2.40 Crores recently. The civic body is all set to restore the building at a cost of Rs 35 lakhs. The costs are borne by the Civic body and the works are expected to be completed in three months, Mysuru City Corporation Commissioner Dr C. G. Betsurmath told Deccan Chronicle.
Mr Narayan spent more than five decades in Mysuru, and more than two decades at the bungalow built in the 1950s in Yadavgiri here, which was his favourite place, where he created many of his literary works. There are plans to develop the bungalow as a Museum. “Along with the restoration work, we willy collect the belongings and works of Mr Narayan. Those who have a unique collection of his works, can hand them over to MCC to develop it as a Museum,” Dr Betsurmath said.
While Malgudi is said to be the prototype of a combination of Mysuru and Lalgudi, even today several scholars from across the world come in search of Mysuru, to see how the fictitious town is in actuality. “He loved every inch of Mysuru and has placed the city in the world map immortalising it,” says Prof C. Naganna, an eminent orator, writer and director of Prasaranga.
