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Malgonkar's books, antiques seek attention
DHNS
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A tray containing a cup of black tea, an item that has been in short supply in Afghanistan as a result of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus, in Kabul. (AFP Photo)
A tray containing a cup of black tea, an item that has been in short supply in Afghanistan as a result of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus, in Kabul. (AFP Photo)

Malgonkar being the connoisseur of art, the local residents are now debating about the precious things he has left behind like a mega library of books on English, precious antiques, priceless paintings which are now forlorn in Burbusa bungalow.

The  writer’s wife Manorama and his only daughter Suneeta had predeceased Malgonkar.
His son-in-law Anjre Kapoor, who is now the legal owner of the bungalow 'Barbusa', is a businessman at Mumbai. Therefore, there is no one to take care of the bungalow, amidst evergreen forest

A decade ago, the French Government had written a letter to Malgonkar asking him to donate his book collection to it. However, till he died, Malgonkar did not broach up this subject.

Living a secluded life, books were  literally the companions of Malgonkar, and his home is a storehouse of books  on English literature. His library is a shelter for more than 10,000 books, and the books Malgonkar authored are preserved in a separate cupboard.

Moreover, his bungalow comprises beautiful paintings, valuable foreign antiques, antique embroidered carpets, collection of shoes, ties, costumes among other things. Malgonkar was an expert hunter in his younger age, and as an evidence to the same, a tiger skin with face is laid on platform of his house. This more than five-decade old bungalow is a model to modern architects as it unveils the serene beauty of the nature.

As a retired military colonel Malgonkar followed discipline up to his last breath and kept every material in the house in order.

Now, the local residents, including Jungle Farm owner Narasimha Chapakhand, who had a close contact with Malgonkar's house, wants the State Government to purchase this bungalow, and convert it into a museum before it falls into the hands of some stray persons.

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(Published 23 June 2010, 22:58 IST)