Manjeshwara Govinda Pai led a life that symbolised the harmony between Kannada language, literature and culture. The first Rashtrakavi of Kannada literary world, Manjeshwara Govinda Pai was the colossal son of Kasargod. There is perhaps not another instance of negligence or apathy as in the case of this polyglot poet laureate who scaled dizzy heights in language and literature.

Yes, his abandoned and anthill-ridden house brings to mind such thoughts. But now, the freshly painted Pai residence, housing a library without readers, brings small consolation!

Govinda Pai was born in Mangalore and chose Manjeshwara for the germination of his work. However, apart from a government college named after him, there is nothing to commemorate his achievements anywhere except, perhaps, a research centre in Udupi. Talk of developing his house into a national memorial has been bandied about for the past three decades. Then, two years ago, the Karnataka and Kerala Governments together put up a plan in this regard. Again, there is talk that the plan will be put to action on March 23, 2008, on Govinda Pai’s birthday. If true, then it will surely add to the joy of Kannadigas all over.

Former chief minister Veerappa Moily, who had attended the poet’s 122nd birthday celebrations in 2004 at Manjeshwara, had come forward to develop Pai’s house, after witnessing its condition. Following this, a plan to develop the house into a computerised language study centre as well as open a translation centre along with imparting training in Yakshagana and other folk arts was given shape. Renovating the auditorium at a cost of Rs 1.4 crore (now it has gone up to Rs 2 crore, it is said) was also part of the plan called as Gilivindu, .

Gilivindu is the name of one of Govinda Pai’s collection of poems. Now that the residence will be a centre to various unique cultural activities, the plan has an apt title. There will be separate buildings, housing different sections inside the Gilivindu complex. The entire complex has been divided into four main wings, which will in turn house sub-divisions. The four main wings are: Nalanda (research and study centre), Bhavanika (fine arts theatre), Vaishakhi, Saketa, Ananda (residential section) and Bodhiranga (open air theatre).

Those interested to conduct research as well as field studies may choose Nalanda, which houses Saraswata, the library containing all of Govinda Pai’s works; Kanthapatra which preserves old manuscripts as well as palmscripts; Manollasa reserved for the proper display of paintings and engravings; Kala Degula, where Yakshagana will be performed in memory of poet Parti Subba, the art form’s progenitor; Samatolana for comparative studies and Dhammapada that will house all the works undertaken by Govinda Pai with a religious and literary perspective, while providing for study of ancient literature and research.

As per the plan, Mahiti Kosha will be a museum providing information on and preserving ancient literary works and their sources. Antarjaala will be providing modern information technology. The theatre that will stage plays is named Bhavanika and it is proposed to name the green room as Bannada Mane. Vaishakhi, Saketa and Ananda are the three rest houses for scholars and researchers. Open air theatre Bodhiranga will be the platform for all kinds of cultural and theatre activities.

This ambitious plan will be implemented by Rashtrakavi Manjeshwara Govinda Pai Memorial Committee. Kasargod district Collector N A Krishnan Kutty and Kasargod Karnataka Samiti President B V Kakkillaya are president and secretary of the Memorial Committee whose driving force is Veerappa Moily.

Union Culture and Tourism Minister Ambika Soni had promised a sum of Rs one crore towards the same two years ago. A proposal of Rs 25 lakh has been submitted to the Kerala Government, while a similar amount is expected from the Karnataka Government as well. If these plans take shape, Majeshwara Govinda Pai Memorial will emerge as a national-level cultural, literary and research centre. It will, in fact be a fitting tribute to the late poet laureate by both Karnataka and Kerala.

Translated by B S Srivani