Jnanpith writer Masti's house made into a library

More than 15,000 books have been procured under the sponsorship of various universities. Kannada Book Authority and Kannada and Culture Department have agreed to provide books.

The publications of Masti Trust will also be kept the library. Researchers stand to gain a lot from this library, said Deputy Director of Kannada and Culture Department, B S Venkachalapathi at a press meet here on Thursday. He also happens to be the honourary secretary of Masti Venkatesha Iyengar Trust.

“A sum of Rs 11 lakh has been spent on renovation. The Trust is an autonomous body. lack of funds and public cooperation and some regulations which autonomous institutions are bound to follow, have delayed the opening of library,” he said.

The secretary of Kannada and Culture Department B R Jayaramaraje Urs will inaugurate the library while Mavinakere Ranganathan, the president of the Trust will inaugurate the reading room. Legislator S N Krishnaiah Setty will preside over the programme in which director of Kannada and Culture Department Manu Baligar, director of Library Department S B Hondadakeri, Deputy Commissioner N Prabhakar, Zilla Panchayat president M Srinivas, Trust member B R Lakshmana Rao, grandson of Masti Dr K Lakshman, granddaughter Usha Kesari will take part in the programme.

Venkatachalapathi also said that the work on renovation of Ranga Mandira is in progress and the Department has released Rs 60 lakh for the purpose. It will also be made available to the public soon, he stated.

In-charge Assistant Director of Information Department Ashwini V Pathi, District Kannada Sahitya Parishat president K Prahlada Rao were present in the press meet.