Legendary Kannada novelist Triveni S.N. Shankar’s 120-year-old house, located opposite the tennis club at Chamarajapuram, is all set to get a facelift and become a museum called ‘Belli Moda’. Triveni’s daughter Meera said that they have decided to turn this vintage house, No.1152 – Triveni S.N.Shankar, into a museum that showcases the legacy of the veteran writer and name it after her most famous work, ‘Belli Moda’.
Who is Triveni?:
Born on 1st September 1928 at Chamarajapuram, Mysuru, Anasuya Shankar is well known by her pen name Triveni. Known to be one of the most unique writers in the history of Kannada Literature, Triveni has penned 21 novels and a few short stories. She graduated with a gold medal in her BA degree from Maharani’s Arts College in Mysore. She was awarded the Siddegowda gold medal for excellence in political science. She married S. N. Shankar, an English professor, at Sharada Vilas College. She was just 34 years old when she died of asthma in 1963.
The Vintage House:
The house, built on a 75×105 sq.ft. plot, has two portions. The front portion has a wooden staircase which is 120-year-old. The second portion is about 90-years-old & was built by Triveni exclusively for her literary activities. Now as the building is going to be a museum, both the portions will be restored, strengthened and beautified. Triveni’s daughter has decided to revive the house in order to keep the legacy of her mother alive.
Inside the museum:
Meera said that the inspiration behind taking up this work is visiting William Shakespeare’s house at Henley Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England. Belli Moda museum will have Triveni’s belongings like diaries, sarees, make-up kit, pen, books, gold medal, certificates and other things which have been preserved lovingly by her family over these decades.
A counselling centre:
Mental health is the central theme of Triveni’s novels and stories. That is why they have decided to open a psychological counselling centre in the same house. Triveni’s granddaughter Arusha Kumar is pursuing a Master’s course in Clinical Psychology in the US. It was her idea to open a counselling centre which will be run by Parvathi Vattam who is trained at NIMHANS, Bengaluru.
Houses of famous writers in Mysuru:
K. Narayan’s House, Yadavagiri
It is now a tourist place which houses all the belongings, books, awards and accolades of famous writer R. K. Narayan.
Kuvempu’s House, Jayalakshmipuram
‘Udayaravi’ is the name of this house where veteran writer Kuvempu used to live. There were people living here a few years ago. As of now it’s vacant but no one is allowed inside.