CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has ordered notices to the Tiruvaiyaru-based Thyagabrahma Mahotsava Sabha and the Union Government on a public interest litigation petition seeking to restore the original structure of the house where saint composer Thyagaraja lived.

A Vacation Bench of Justices Prafulla Kumar Misra and P. Jothimani stayed further demolition, on the petition filed by Macherla Diwakar.

According to the petitioner, the house at No. 31, Thirunanjana Street at Tiruvaiyaru in Thanjavur district was specially built and gifted to the saint's father by Maratha King Tulajaji II. He contended that Thyagaraja lived his entire life in the house and most of his `kritis' were rendered there. Describing the place as a pilgrimage centre for Carnatic musicians all over the world, the petitioner said it was believed that Lord Rama and Sita visited the saint's house and spent a whole night with him, discussing various aspects of life with Thyagaraja.

In its "over-enthusiasm" to build a memorial for the saint composer, the Sabha had razed the building. If a new, modern memorial was allowed to be built, the younger generation would not have any idea about the way the saint lived, he said. Not just the building but the entire street must be preserved as a monument.

Mr. Diwakar said it was easy to draw inspiration from similar houses on the street and restore the demolished structure to its original shape. Photographs available right from 1940 could also be used for the purpose.

Injunction

The petitioner prayed for an injunction restraining the Sabha from proceeding with its construction and sought a direction to the Centre and the Archaeological Survey of India to take possession of the house and restore it to its original form for being preserved as a national monument.

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