‘Sriniketana’, the 70-year-old house located in Saptapur here, invokes fond memories of legendary Kannada poet and writer Sali Ramachandra Rao. It was here that Sali lived and created his literature. It had also become a focal centre of literary activities during his lifetime.
But this historical place, which is the pride of Dharwad, will shortly pass into the pages of history. Sali’s descendents (his daughter Subhadra and eminent historian P.B. Desai’s children) have sold this property to a builder. The huge collection of rare books and photographs has been taken away by Sali’s admirers with the permission of his family members.
Regretting this development, Sali’s disciple and senior poet Siddhaling Pattanshetti said it was the saddest moment in his life. Sali was the most celebrated, but at the same time most neglected personality in the Kannada literary world. Unlike many others, there were no differences in his words and deeds.
Trusts were set up in the name of other writers and their houses were made memorials here. But it was not done in case of Sali. His house should have been protected as a memorial, he said. Sali was a rare writer.
While his descendents have sold the property to a builder, Sali Ramachandra Rao’s disciple feels his house should be a memorial
