Kavi Narmad's house lies in shambles

Surat, Aug 25 (UNI) Even as the city celebrated the 205th birth anniversary of one of its literary giants Kavi Narmad yesterday, the poet's house is being neglected due to laxity by the authorities in saving the precious heritage.

The 150-year-old house, built by the poet, is yet to be converted into a tourist spot, despite several assurances made by the authorities in the past.

The house, ''Sarika Sadan'', situated at Amliran Mohalla in Gopipura area of the city, sheltered Narmad for a long time, who later sold it to another renowned poet Gajendralal Pandya.

Though some renovation work was undertaken by the Surat Muncipal Corporation (SMC), it had failed to serve the purpose as many tourists who visit the historic house get upset with the lack of maintenance. Some have to return from the gate itself as the house remains closed most of the time except on Narmad's birth anniversary, Narsinh Trivedi, who had served in the house as a cook for 30 years in the past, said.

According to Trivedi, following Pandya's death, his wife wanted to sell the house, but dropped the idea in view of the stiff opposition from local residents and the poet's fans.

He said the local residents want the house, which has rare pictures of Narmad and some of his belongings, including a resting chair which Kavi used, to be transformed into a library or museum.

However, ''Sarika Sadan'' is struggling to maintain its rich legacy.

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