The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Throwing light on neglected monuments

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 05, 2007
ePaper


<SCRIPT language='JavaScript1.1' SRC="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adj/N4322.hinduonline/B2155503.3;abr=!ie;sz=468x60;ord=[timestamp]?"> </SCRIPT> <NOSCRIPT> <A HREF="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/N4322.hinduonline/B2155503.3;abr=!ie4;abr=!ie5;sz=468x60;ord=[timestamp]?"> <IMG SRC="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/N4322.hinduonline/B2155503.3;abr=!ie4;abr=!ie5;sz=468x60;ord=[timestamp]?" BORDER=0 WIDTH=468 HEIGHT=60 ALT="Click Here"></A> </NOSCRIPT>

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Throwing light on neglected monuments

Nagesh Prabhu

Sharan Desai is holding an exhibition in the lounge of the Legislative Assembly

CRYING FOR ATTENTION: The Ibrahim Rouza in Bijapur, which Sharan Desai says is in a state of neglect.

BANGALORE: "Karnataka's treasures are in our hands and we must do everything to save them." This is the message that Sharan Desai, an engineer from Gulbarga, seeks to convey in an exhibition he has mounted of neglected historical monuments in the lounge of the Legislative Assembly of the Vidhana Soudha. The exhibition is on till Tuesday.

"Ignored by the authorities and abused by vandals, several historical monuments across our state are simply falling apart. Most of our monuments are on the verge of being wiped out and are crying for help. Preservation of monuments is not on the agenda of the political parties," he says.

Nearly 50 MLAs, including Speaker Krishna, Industries Minister Katta Subramanya Naidu, former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, had discussions with him on his pet theme.

"Most of the law makers have echoed my concern to protect and preserve neglected heritage sites. They feel that they need to do more and this has brought a lot of satisfaction to me," says the U.S.-returned engineer.

Mr. Desai, who recently submitted a memorandum to Governor T.N. Chaturvedi on the state of neglect of Karnataka's monuments, requested the Government to seek help from the Global Heritage Fund, U.S., for preserving centuries old monuments. Mr. Desai was happy that the Governor had promised his cooperation. Mr. Desai feels that the official focus has so far been on the Hampi ruins. Funds for the conservation of heritage sites such as the Ibrahim Rouza, Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur, the memorial to William Baillie in Srirangapatna, and many other such monuments could raised by holding cultural events at monument locations.

"It's a wake up call for all of us. We have to take initiatives to encourage locals to take active interest in the preservation of sites." As the Government devotes little resources for conservation, he suggests that the authorities allow private firms to renovate and adopt monuments.

"If we don't protect them now, eventually they will be the grave of our heritage." Mr. Desai, who is also an artist, has spent several days at Ibrahim Rouza to draw the image of marvellous architecture. "Preservation of monuments can significantly benefit communities by creating jobs and enhancing economic activities through the heritage tourism," he says.

Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy is expected to meet Mr. Desai on Monday to discuss initiatives for preserving the historical structures.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka