Matsyalaya to be named after Gangubai

She hailed from fishermen community and her ancestors were from Karwar

Interestingly, it is Hindustani vocalist late Gangubai Hanagal, who is proving instrumental in establishing this connection even after her demise.

After Dharwad, the birth place of the maestro was converted into a museum last year, now one Matsyalaya at Karwar is being developed into a full-fledged museum with
Thailand technology and will be named after Gangubai Hanagal. Karnataka Fisheries Development Corporation (KFDC) has envisaged this project for which an action plan of Rs 2 crore is being prepared.

"Gangubai Hanagal hailed from a fishermen community, whose ancestors are from Karwar. The KFDC wants to commemorate by naming the new project after her, which is going to be a unique tourism attraction too," the KFDC Chairman Ramachandra Baikampady told Deccan Herald.

A 30-year old 'Matsyalaya' already exists on Tagore Beach at Karwar, but it is in a dilapidated state due to lack of maintenance. The KFDC has taken over the Matsyalaya from the Department of Fisheries and is chalking out plans to develop it into full-fledged museum, he explained.

Once the project is completed it will be renamed 'Dr Gangubai Hanagal Memorial Matsyalaya'. The building will be getting a special sound system, so that the visitors can listen to the music of Dr Hanagal throughout their stay there. The memorial should prove a symbol of self-esteem and inspiration to the fishermen community, Baikampady said.

The KFDC has plans to add many more features to the existing Matsyalaya. Once the building is renovated, large varieties of fishes and their cut outs will be exhibited. There are also plans to establish a shark museum adjacent to Matsyalaya. The KFDC Chairman said the Matsyalaya has a premises of about an acre.

Besides this, the Corporation has a plan to establish a fish canteen in the same premises, which will be a replica of the one at Cubbon Park in Bangalore. "The Cubbon Park canteen that is being upgraded at a cost of Rs 1 crore is getting an overwhelming response. In Karwar too, customers can avail fish delicacies for just Rs 35," Baikampady informed.