Bengaluru: Once a much-sought- after performance space, Masti Rangamandira at Shankarapuram in south Bengaluru is today lying in a shambles. Constructed in the memory of Jnanpith awardee Masti Venkatesha Iyengar 25 years ago, it has now been turned into a godown by the department of public instruction.
Distinguished artists, writers and theatre personalities called on the authorities concerned, seeking the auditorium's restoration. Theatre personality K Maralusiddappa even staged a protest on June 6 -- Masti's 125th anniversary -- to draw attention to the structure's decaying condition.
Now, Kannada and culture minister Umashree has lent her weight in the fight to restore Masti Rangamandira to its former glory. In a letter to the minister for primary and secondary education, Kimmane Ratnakar, she stated that the auditorium needs to be used for artistic endeavours and not merely as a godown.
Expressing his pleasure at the measures taken by Umashree, former president of Karnataka Nataka Academy Srinivas G Kappanna said, "We are likely to meet Ratnakar on Tuesday to discuss the issue." However, the minister was at his constituency and unavailable for comment.
"Restoration of the auditorium will help the city's theatre scene, by providing theatre troupes an affordable space," Kappanna added.
Masti's family has proposed setting up of a trust -- Masti: Baduku, Baraha, Jeevana (Masti: His writings and life) - and plans to transform the writer's home, Masti Mane in Gavipuram into a museum, said Kappanna. In his letter thanking Umashree for her support, he has urged her to take up the proposal for the trust into consideration.
A writer whose oeuvre straddled genres ranging from short story to drama, Masti occupies a collosal position in the Kannada literary pantheon. His rich contribution to Kannada literature earned him the sobriquet, Masti Kannadada Aasti (Masti, the treasure of Kannada).
Awarded the country's highest literary honour, Jnanpith, for his novel Chikkavira Rajendra, Masti passed away in 1986 at the ripe age of 95. Last week, a series of events including screening of MS Sathyu's film, Masti Avara Naaku Kathegalu, was organized to mark his 125th anniversary on June 6.
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