Photo exhibition on “The Mallya Residence” honours Ullal Srinivas Mallya’s legacy

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, November 21, 2024: The Mangaluru Chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) inaugurated a photo exhibition titled “The Mallya Residence” on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at the Kodial Guthu Centre for Art and Culture. Held on the 122nd birth anniversary of Ullal Srinivas Mallya, a freedom fighter and the legendary first Member of Parliament from Dakshina Kannada, the exhibition is part of INTACH’s World Heritage Week celebrations.

The exhibition features a detailed documentation of Mallya’s ancestral home in lower Car Street, where he spent his childhood, along with rare biographical photographs and architectural diagrams. Curated by the INTACH Mangaluru Chapter, the display provides insights into Mallya’s life. The exhibition will remain open to the public until Sunday, November 24, from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Following a welcome address by INTACH Mangaluru Convener Subhas Chandra Basu, team member Sharvani Bhat detailed the meticulous documentation process. Prof. P. Krishnamoorthy of Govinda Dasa College highlighted Mallya’s pivotal role in shaping modern Mangaluru through initiatives like the airport, New Mangalore Port, national highways and the National Institute of Technology. “Mallya’s legacy is honored by no fewer than four statues across the city, signifying his enduring impact,” he said.

Kasturi Balakrishna Pai shared a poignant personal memory as a pallbearer at Mallya’s funeral. He recalled his interactions with Mallya and the deep sense of loss that prevailed in the city after Mallya’s untimely passing. Similarly, filmmaker and musician Madhusudhan Kumar recounted how, during his college days, he often saw Mallya passing by in his car and shared his father’s admiration for Mallya’s vision and dedication.

A book titled “Srinivas Mallya’s Residence”, documenting the heritage site, was unveiled jointly by Mallya’s grandson Narahari Mallya (the current occupant of the residence) and Prof. Krishnamoorthy. Narahari Mallya expressed his family’s gratitude to INTACH for preserving their ancestral legacy.

Closing the event, Subhas Chandra Basu said, “They say a house makes the character of its residents. But in Mallya’s case, he was never attached to the house. His true attachment lay with the community he served so devotedly, and he rejected all the comforts of the house.”

This exhibition is a heartfelt tribute to Ullal Srinivas Mallya, celebrating his contributions and preserving his memory for future generations.