Kundapur: Irresponsible, Anonymous Graffiti Artistes Deface National Monument

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Jul 15: ‘Kaththale Basadi’, an ancient structure relating to Jainism, standing in Barkur in the taluk, has long been declared by the department of archaeology as a national monument. Any one who visits the Basadi comes across a sign at the entrance, which says that anyone damaging or defacing the structure would be punishable with fine, imprisonment or both. It is however, clear that this sign has failed to draw any recognition or respect from a number of perverted people from among the visitors, who seem to get sadistic pleasure out of sacrificing the sanctity and serenity of the monument through their disgusting acts.

Heart shapes coupled with names of lovers have crowded the walls of the Basadi. Gutkha sachets, plastic materials and other waste products are found strewn around.

Barkur has been a historically famous town, having been the seat of glorious kings for long in the past. This tiny town, which boasts of nearly 400 temples, also houses Kaththale Basadi, one of the most ancient buildings in the town. Barkur, which was once ruled by the local kings as well as those belonging to lineages like Vijayanagar, Keladi, Ikkeri etc., also was a centre of Jainism once upon a time. Kaththale Basadi is an ancient structure with two centres of worship joined together. The walls, pillars, portico, steps etc., have been artistically carved. They have the power to carry the visitors down memory lane by several centuries, as the structure itself came up in 1200 AD.

A unique feature of this Basadi is that it houses a Lingam of Lord Shiva, signifying that it was a unified centre of worship for Jains and Shaivites.  However, the fact that the declaration of the structure as national monument has not been able to stop its unbridled misuse, has given rise to concerns about the very effectiveness of The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958 in containing damage to monuments. People having no respect for law of the land or the past glory, have been inflicting irreparable damage to this monument, time and again.  No security men or officials of the department are seen at the national monument, which speaks of the apathy of the government towards such rich ambassadors of our cultural heritage.