Siddaghatta relives heady days of freedom fight

Siddaghatta village in Mulbagal taluk continues to bask in the golden memories of the struggle for Independence.

Thanks to freedom fighter V Munivenkategowda and his family, a collection of photographs and memorabilia of pre-Independence India are now open to view by the public.

Rare photographs from those days constitute a major segment of the collection, especially from the Quit India Movement which Munivenkategowda had participated in at Bangarpet, along with M V Krishnappa, another prominent figure.

Pictures

Photos of the freedom fighters, a box used to keep bullets and a gun, swords given by the Maharaja and other objects will also be on display.

Holdings left over from Munivenkategowda’s grandfather, Venkategowda Patel, an important patron of social services in the latter half of the 19th century, are also part of the rare collection.

In 1895, the Maharaja of Mysore, Krishnaraja Wodeyar, sent Venkategowda a marriage invitation along with a personal letter, asking him to attend the event. This invitation has been preserved by family members as an heirloom.

Instructions

Almost a decade later, Wodeyar, who planned to visit Thirupathi, decided to meet Venkategowda.

In a letter dated August 24, 1907, sent via a tahsildar, the Maharaja penned the following instructions for Venkategowda: Wear a ‘panche’ (dhoti) with a border and a ‘rumalu’ (headgear). Don’t wear slippers.

Treasured presentation

In addition, the honourable guest, the Mahraja, should be presented with a piece of clothing and a sum of Rs two. This letter has been still preserved in the family treasury.
Venkategowda used to collect tax from the surrounding villages.

He was engaged in various social and religious activities and had donated about three acres of land for the construction of the famous Venugopalaswamy Temple in Siddaghatta village.

Even today, this land is in the maintenance of the temple, according to contractor and advocate S M Munishamegowda, a member of the family.