The government’s plan to construct a memorial for Kannada thespian Vishnuvardhan on the premises of Abhiman Studio at Uttarahalli here is stuck in limbo owing to legal dispute over the sanctioned land.
Frustrated by the delay in getting legal clearance, Bharati Vishnuvardhan, has resolved to shift the memorial to Mysore, Vishnuvardhan’s native place.
Vishnuvardhan, who had carved a niche for himself in the film industry donning various roles in over 200 films, passed away on December 30, 2009.
Besides the legal issue pertaining to the land, Ms. Bharati Vishnuvardhan is said to have based her resolution to shift the memorial on “Vaastu dosha” of the location. While expressing regret over the delay in getting the memorial built, Ms. Bharati Vishnuvardhan said, “A Vaastu expert has advised us against constructing the memorial at Abhiman Studio.”
However, the late Vishnuvardhan’s fans, who came to know of the decision of the actor’s wife, assembled in front of actor’s residence in Jayanagar here and appealed to Ms. Bharati Vishnuvardhan to reconsider her decision.
Appeal
They also appealed to Housing Minister and actor M.H. Ambarish to intervene in the matter and convince Ms. Bharati Vishnuvardhan to change her mind, besides taking steps to clear the legal hurdles involving the land. Mr. Ambarish, it is said, has responded positively to their request.
When Ms. Bharati Vishnuvardhan, on an earlier occasion, expressed interest in having a memorial built for her late husband at Mysore, 3.3 acres of land had been identified opposite the Ganapathi Sachichidananda Swamy Ashram there. However, the government persuaded her to change her decision.
Documents
In July, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah handed over documents related to the two acres of land adjoining the memorial at Abhiman Studio to Ms. Bharati Vishnuvardhan.
Trust
After the death of Vishnuvardhan, a trust headed by Director, Department of Information, N.R. Vishukumar, and representatives of Vishnuvardhan’s family as members, was formed to develop the memorial at Abhiman Studio where the actor was cremated.
The government had released Rs. 5 crore of the Rs. 10 crore promised for the memorial.
Except for a mantapa built by the family over the actor’s samadhi, no other work has been taken up.
