Puttur: This town, known for its rich cultural heritage and resourceful residents, has now started a journey to reclaim its history or revive a portion of history to its original beauty and preserve the legacy of late Dr. K. Shivarama Karanth, winner of the Jnanpith Award. The 70-year-old Natyashala is where Dr. Karanth started formalising Yakagana’s academics.
Under the direction of Niren Jain, one of the state’s top heritage architects and an expert from The Indian National Trust Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), the Natyashala will be restored to its former splendor and health.
In her recollection of the events leading up to Natyashala, Dr. Karanth’s daughter Kshama Rau said, “My father built it in 1935 and he initially used it as a school for creative learning, which was new experimentation in the late 1930s. His plan was not well received by society, so he later converted the structure into a regular school for kids from underprivileged classes. Later, he converted it into a printing press known as “Harsha Printery,” using it personally to operate the letterpress and print the first edition of the renowned book “Chomana Dudi,” which is still readily available in book stores in Karnataka today.
The Natyashala is a building with great heritage value for the entire Karnataka; it was here that Dr. Karanth started experimenting by giving an academic dimension to Yakshagana and other folk arts of the coast. Dr. Amrith Malla, a local heritage activist and one of Dr. Karanth’s ardent supporters, was instrumental in protecting the heritage buildings in Dr. Shivarama Karanth Balavana of Puttur town. When Yakshagana first gained popularity, he used to take classes for its young practitioners. Many Yakshaganan artistes still recall the instruction they received there. And due to this, it is still referred to as Natyashala.
Another well-known artiste is linked to the history of the Natyashala. It was K. K. Hebbar who popularised the ‘line art’ (Rekha Chitra in Kannada) on subjects related to Yakshagana.
Kshama Rau said, “I have identified to display all the belongings of Dr. Karanth and would like to display all the works and artifacts that belonged to my father at the Natyashala and name it “Karantha Smriti Bhavan.”
Earlier, the residents of Puttur worked with Dr. Karnath’s family to preserve two historical structures: Dr. Karnath’s home, which was preserved for 40 years, and his study, which was constructed in Balvana in the European style. This movement was led by Dr Amrith Malla.