Memorial for poet Govinda Pai

Mangalore, Mar 20: The Rashtrakavi Govinda Pai Memorial Committee has decided to renovate the dilapidated house of renowned poet Manjeshwar Govinda Pai in Manjeshwar, near Kasargod, into a memorial.

Committee Secretary B V Kakkillaya told reporters here today that the Union, Kerala and Karnataka Governments have jointly taken the initiative to build a befitting memorial called 'Gilivindu', one of the poet's collections of poems, at a cost of Rs 1.4 crore.

While the Kerala Government had earmarked Rs 20 lakh for the project, the Karnataka Government had released Rs 5 lakh out of the Rs 25 lakh sought by the Committee. The Centre had assured Rs 1 crore for the project, he said.

He said the project comprised 'Bhodhiranga', an open air theatre, 'Nalanda', venue for staging plays, art exhibitions and Yakshagana, a library, preservation of manuscripts, research, comparative studies, archives and guest houses for scholars.

The foundation stone for the project would be laid on March 23, by Kerala Education and Culture Minister M A Baby and Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) Chairman M Veerappa Moily would inaugurate the 125th birth anniversary celebrations of the polyglot poet.

'Nandadeevige', a souvenir to commemorate the event, would be brought out on the occasion and renowned Kannada writer Dr L Basavaraj would be honoured with the Govinda Pai National Award.

UNI