From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Mar 15: Deputy chief minister Dr C N Ashwath Narayan took the lead in the restoration of the century-old building of the Kannada Shaitya Parishat’s founder President H V Nanjundaiah in Malleswaram in the city.
Dr Narayan, who is also the Higher Education minister, visited the building on Monday along with the Maharaja of Mysuru Yaduveer Wadiyar, German Consul General Achim Burkart and Deputy Consul General Karl Philipp Ehlerding for inspecting the restoration work going on.
The most popular heritage bungalow in which Nanjunadaiah used to reside was built in 1915. It is popular in Malleswaram as an HVN bungalow. Nanjundaiah had donated the building to the Malleswaram Government Girls High School for running the high school for girls in the area.
The restoration work is being taken up at the instance of Dr Ashwath Narayan, who is representing the Malleswaram assembly constituency, and the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike has sanctioned Rs 2 crore for undertaking the restoration work to preserve it as a heritage building for posterity.
The German Consulate top brass expressed their surprise and amazement at the structure and style of the building as also the restoration work.
"This is a building that will bring laurels and pride to the entire Bengaluru city. The restoration work is being carried by Aesthetic Architects," Deputy Chief Minister Dr Ashwath Narayan said.
He said Germans were very appreciative of the heritage buildings. The sauna bath constructed more than a century back, the design, ventilation and natural light system through the windows, the granite and wood carving work when the building was constructed were very impressive, the German Consul General Achim Burkart said.
Maharaja of Mysuru Yaduveer Wadiyar appreciated the initiative taken by Dr Ashwath Narayan and stressed the need for preserving and protecting such heritage buildings by taking up appropriate repair and restoration work.
The deputy chief minister explained that the repair and restoration work started in November last year is expected to be completed by the year-end. It will be preserved as a museum to represent the Malleswaram, one of the oldest parts of the state capital, and thereby immortalize Nanjundaiah’s name for posterity.
He said in-depth research work had been undertaken before starting and preparing an action plan for the restoration in order to ensure that the original structure and design were not harmed. The portions and woodwork that have been weakened are being carefully restored and utmost care is being taken to ensure that the original style was preserved.
Family members of H V Nanjundaiah, BBMP and Aesthetic Architect firms officers were present during the inspection.