The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Velu Thampi Dalawa memorial to be opened in December

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Velu Thampi Dalawa memorial to be opened in December

Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Velu Thampi Dalawa, Minister of erstwhile Travancore and one of the legendary freedom fighters, will soon have a befitting memorial at his birthplace at Thalakulam in Kanyakumari district.

Work on the Velu Thampi Dalawa Memorial Centre and Historical Museum is progressing. The project is being implemented by chitrakalamandalam, a city-based society for promotion of arts and culture. The memorial is located on the premises of the Dalawa’s house. Chitrakalamandalam president Muttacaud Ravindran Nair and general secretary Sudarsan Karthikaparambil told reporters here on Saturday that the project would be completed by December this year.

The Rs.1.5-crore project involves restoration of the sprawling mansion and a pond on the premises; construction of a guest house; an eight-ft-high statue of the Dalawa and statues of Agasthyar, Kambar and Thiruvalluvar; an art gallery to depict events in the life of the freedom fighter; and a 34-ft-high statue of Kalliyankattu Neeli.

Chitrakalamandalam is footing the first instalment of the project cost estimated at Rs.10 lakh. The 243rd birth anniversary of Velu Thampi Dalawa will be celebrated here on May 5 and 6. The society is organising a painting competition for school and college children at the museum grounds on May 5.

On the second day, floral tributes will be offered before the statue of the Dalawa in front of the Secretariat. This will be followed by a commemoration meeting to be inaugurated by the former Minister Vakkom Purushothaman.

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