The 119-year-old Government Primary School at Kairangala, which has undergone an extensive facelift, is all set to welcome the children for the new academic year.

The transformation of a crumbling building into a vibrant building has become a reality owing to the initiative of Kannada film actor and director Rishab Shetty. His tryst with the school began when he shot the main scenes of his film ‘Sarkari Hiriya Prathamika Shale, Kasaragodu - Koduge Ramanna Rai’ at the school.

Rishab Shetty decided to adopt the school which helped in cementing his style of film making in Sandalwood.

He has been striving to improve facilities at the school for the past one year.

In the film, the school, located in Bantwal taluk in Dakshina Kannada district, boasts of healthy student strength. In reality, the strength of the school has decreased to 25 students in the previous academic year. The number of teachers has also reduced to three. 

Speaking to DH, Rishab said his team has taken a new step in providing a new learning atmosphere for the children from the new academic year.

The roof and some parts of the school were in a dilapidated condition. The leaking roofs were repaired and the building was restored to its original glory. The walls of the school were given a fresh coat of paint, he explained.

The painted walls now depict the culture of Tulunadu. The students will not only get inspired but will also gather knowledge.

The paintings on the wall depict the historic icons of Tulunadu Koti-Chennaya and Veerarani Abbakka, local arts ‘Hulivesha’ and ‘Yakshagana’, rural games such as ‘Buguri’ (spinning top), folk sport ‘Kambala’, modes of worship such as ‘Nagaradhane’ and ‘Daivaradhane’.

“There is a positive response from the parents, teachers and the children. It feels nice to see the school now sporting a different look,” he said.

Rishab said a pre-school will begin from the next academic year. He also has plans to recruit new guest teachers, to start the computer and Spoken English classes to ensure that that number of students, getting admission into the school goes up. 

He said he will seek cooperation from the school alumni and people in the region to develop the school’s playground. “If not for them, the plans would not have materialised and all must join hands for a genuine cause,” he stressed.