After six years, Vishnuvardhan memorial finds a place

It will be shifted from Abhiman Studio in Bengaluru to Mysuru

The State government has finally decided to shift the Vishnuvardhan Memorial from Abhiman Studio in Bengaluru to Mysuru.

On Tuesday, Bharati Vishnuvardhan, along with S.V. Rajendra Singh Babu, Chairperson, Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy, met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and appealed to him to shift the memorial to Mysuru, the birthplace of the thespian.

Mr. Siddaramaiah agreed to the plea and directed Deputy Commissioner of Mysuru, C. Shikha, to find a suitable place, said Mr. Babu.

According to Ms. Bharati, the decision was taken much against the wishes of the late actor’s fans, because of the delay in developing a memorial even after six years of his death.

Frustrated by the delay in getting legal and technical clearances, Ms. Bharati resolved to shift the memorial to Mysuru two years ago.

Vishnuvardhan, who had carved a niche in the history of Kannada cinema by donning various roles in over 200 films, passed away on December 30, 2009.

On December 30, 2014 Mr. Siddaramaiah laid the foundation stone for the memorial at Mylasandra village in Kengeri, on the outskirts of Bengaluru.

But the plans got embroiled in controversy as the memorial was under the buffer zone of the Turahalli forest, one of the last vestiges of wooded areas in the city.

Disappointed with the development, Prasanna, president of Karnataka State Vishnuvardhan Fans’ Association, said, “We are not happy with the government’s decision. But, there is no alternative except accepting the reality.”