2 days ago
Historic town hall in Mysuru deteriorates due to neglect
MYSURU: The historic Town Hall, officially known as the Sri Rangacharlu Memorial Hall, is fast deteriorating, with visible cracks and structural damage threatening its survival.
Built over 90 years ago in memory of C. Rangacharlu, the celebrated Dewan of the erstwhile Mysuru State, the single-storey structure stands prominently near Mysuru Palace, yet suffers from years of neglect.
Commissioned by the then
Maharaja of Mysuru
to honour Rangacharlu's leadership in steering the state out of crisis, the hall was once a proud cultural landmark. Its stage area, now partially supported by canopies, was notably used by many celebrities, including
Mahatma Gandhi
, to address a public gathering. Despite being under the care of the Mysuru City Corporation, restoration efforts were minimal. In 2014, then women and child welfare minister
Umashree
, during a review of Dasara cultural events, expressed strong displeasure over the hall's condition and directed officials to create permanent facilities, but no substantial action followed.
The surroundings of the Town Hall are also in a horrible condition, and it seems corporation authorities are not concerned with taking up cleaning work. The place has become a site for all sorts of illegal activities.
'It's disheartening to see the Town Hall in such a pathetic state,' said Prof. N.S. Rangaraju, retired Professor of Ancient History and Archaeology at the University of Mysore. 'We informed the Corporation Commissioner, who assured early repairs, but nothing was done.
Such neglect of a major heritage building in the heart of the city is truly unfortunate.'
Repeated appeals from heritage enthusiasts have gone unanswered, leaving the future of the Town Hall uncertain. Preservationists urge urgent restoration to safeguard this cultural landmark before its condition worsens beyond repair.
Speaking to TOI, Mysuru City Corporation Commissioner Shaikh Tanveer Asif said, 'The tender process is underway, and the work will be taken up at the earliest. I too felt very bad about the situation, but the repair involves a significant cost.'
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