Seeking cooperation of Kuvempu’s family to set up museum: Minister

Kannada and Culture Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi on Friday said that the government was seeking cooperation from the family members of Kannada writer Kuvempu to convert his residence in Mysuru to a museum.

The Minister told the Legislative Council that the government was interested in converting Kuvempu’s residence into a museum. “Recently, I met the family members seeking their cooperation. They have laid down conditions, which are significant. I will have to discuss the issue with the Chief Minister.”

Responding to a question from BJP member Prathapsimha Nayak, he said that the proposal to convert the residence to a museum had come in the 2018-2019 Budget proposal, but was stuck. “Initially, the family asked for ₹5 crore, which later went up to ₹10 crore. The price quoted during the BJP government was around ₹15 crore. There are more conditions now.”

Pointing out at the government’s initiative to convert the residence of former Chief Minister S. Nijalingappa into a museum, he said, “The entire family members came together and are cooperating with the government. The matter has been settled at ₹5 crore. I went to the family of Kuvempu seeking a similar cooperation.”