Balavana restoration work to commence from Monday, says DC

The restoration work of Shivarama Karantha Balavana, the home of Jnanpith awardee Kota Shivarama Karantha, will commence from Monday at Parladka in Puttur. Balavana was in a deplorable condition.

Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim visited Balavana on Friday evening and held discussion with Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) coordinators Aravind and Balavana development committee members. The Kannada and Culture department had released Rs 29.5 lakh for the restoration of the Balavana. The deputy commissioner has directed that half the amount should be transferred to the account of INTACH.

The Kannada and Culture department has already entered into an MoU with INTACH for the restoration of the Balavana. Ibrahim said the restoration work should commence from Monday and should be completed by March 31.

“All the items at the house were documented in the presence of AC on Saturday and it will be shifted temporarily for the restoration work on Sunday. The Jnanpith Award received by Dr Karanth will be temporarily shifted to the AC’s office in Puttur,” he said. The second round of the meeting will be held at Balavana on March 4.

He said that it had been decided earlier to hand over the restoration work to the Archeological department. However, a state-level committee decided to entrust the work to INTACH.

Owing to various technical reasons, the work has got delayed but must be expedited, he said.

Puttur AC Rajendra K V, Tahsildar Sannarangaiah, Kannada and Culture department Assistant Director Chandrahas Rai, Balavana Abhivridhi Samithi members Dr B A Viveka Rai, retired Professor B J Suvarna, in charge of Balavana Ashok and others were present.