Bendre Bhavan cries for attention

Dharwad: The Dr Da Raa Bendre National Memorial Trust in Dharwad has been struggling to implement its major projects due to funds crunch and "stepmotherly" treatment by the state govt.In recognition of poet laureate Dattatreya Ramachandra Bendre's contributions, the state govt set up the Dr Da Raa Bendre National Memorial Trust and constructed Bendre Bhavan, an imposing structure adjacent to the poet's residence ‘Sri Mata' in Sadhanakeri of Dharwad.Since its inception two decades ago, the Bendre Bhavan has been keeping alive his legacy through his works, portraits, poetry and a rich library.The bhavan which is one among a few memorials built in the memory of stalwarts, houses a library which has over 500 books, many of which have been authored by Bendre. There is a small auditorium to organise programmes like ‘Geleyara Gumpu', award presentations and the like. The gallery has some rare photographs depicting Bendre's life and his association with other literary stalwarts.Professor MM Kalburgi was the first chairman of the trust and he was succeeded by Shamsundar Bidarkundi. Professor Danayya Mahantayya Hiremath is the present chairman of the trust. The trust has received a raw deal by the successive govts and the Covid-19 pandemic and cut in annual grants has crippled the activities of the trust.The condition of the bhavan is pathetic as no whitewashing has been done for the past 20 years. The roof of the hall where ‘Bendre Darshan' expo is arranged leaks during the rainy season. The compound walls are on the verge of collapse.The Bendre Trust gets an annual grant of Rs 9 lakh and of this, Rs 1 lakh goes towards the ‘Ambikatanayadatta' cash award. The remaining amount just suffices for payment of salaries to the staff."The activities of the trust are managed by the earnings from renting out the hall and selling Bendre's books. Govt should treat Bendre Trust on par with the Kuvempu Memorial Trust and provide adequate funds to conduct the programmes," said trust chairman DM Hiremath."We have plans to set up an amphitheatre on the premises so that the social dramas written by Bendre could be staged, but we are yet to get a positive response from govt," said Hiremath. "The trust has an ambitious plan of staging Bendre's plays at Shakespeare auditorium in the United Kingdom. Talks are under way with non-resident Kannadigas in England and they have agreed to help," Hiremath added.