Museum showcases the life and times of Kempegowda

Here’s one more museum to visit in the city. On Thursday, the Kempegowda Museum within Mayo Hall was thrown open to the public.

Visit the museum to get a glimpse of the history of Bangalore, which Kempegowda (1513-1569) a Yelahanka chieftain and feudatory of the Vijayanagara Empire, is credited with having established in 1537. The four towers that marked the limits of Bangalore (one of these is within Lalbagh), the Nandi Temple, and several of the city’s lakes and markets date back to the time of Kempegowda.

Pictorial representations and valuable information on the period of Kempegowda will be available in the museum. The collection is also set to expand over time, as more and more material is added.

Chief minister BS Yeddyurappa, inaugurating the museum, said, “There is a proposal to instal a statue of Kempegowda outside the State Central Library in Cubbon Park. That is something that we will look into. Once we get permission, we will also name the international airport after Kempegowda. This year, there has been a budgetary allocation of Rs10 crore for the Basavanna Kala Bhavan.”

Efforts are being made to bring books and relics that date back to the time of Kempegowda to the museum at Mayo Hall. NA Haris, Shantinagar MLA, suggested that the domestic airport be named after Tipu Sultan, and the international one take the name of Kempegowda.

Chandregowda, winner of the Nadoja award for the propagation and growth of the Kannada language, literature and tradition, said, “The proposal to set up this museum goes back several years, and there were many challenges along the way. I am delighted that at last we now have the museum. A country that has a rich legacy also leaves much behind for the children to inherit.”

Chandregowda also requested the government to expedite the setting up of the Basava Dharma Peeta in the city. Looking forward to the growth of the Kempegowda Museum, Chandregowda said that land had been identified, for shifting the museum at a later date.

BBMP mayor SK Nataraj, said, “During the tenure of mayor Ramachandrappa, the Kempegowda Adyanan Peeta was set up. During my tenure, we are setting up this museum.” Home minister R Ashoka said that the government was working towards naming the international airport in the city after Kempegowda.