The century-old bungalow in Mysuru, once home to former President of India Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan during his tenure as a philosophy professor at the University of Mysore, has fallen into neglect once again. This has raised concerns among academicians and heritage enthusiasts.
Historical Significance
Located opposite the Government Printing Press in Saraswathipuram, the bungalow served as Radhakrishnan's residence from 1918 to 1921, long before he became Vice President and later President of India. The building was restored in 2012 with financial support from the late educationist Prof Doreswamy, founder of PES Educational Institutions. However, lack of regular maintenance has led to renewed deterioration.
Academic and Heritage Concerns
Prof NS Rangaraju, retired professor of ancient history and archaeology at the University of Mysore (UoM) and former member of the Mysuru district heritage committee, highlighted the rich legacy associated with the bungalow. He noted that noted botanist Narayan, who later served as principal of Yuvaraja's College, stayed in the house after Radhakrishnan left Mysuru. Rangaraju fondly recalled the lush gardens and well-preserved structure during the 1960s and 1970s. He lamented the gradual neglect affecting several historic buildings across the university campus, stating that the university has more than 20 heritage structures and requires a dedicated annual budget for their upkeep. During the tenure of Vice-Chancellor SN Hegde, special funds were earmarked annually for restoration and maintenance.
University Response
Savitha MK, registrar of UoM, told TOI that only a small portion of the bungalow has been damaged due to tree roots, and the overall structure remains stable. She said that Archaeological Department Commissioner A Devaraja has assured support for preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) and initiating repair works at the earliest. The university plans to raise funds for preserving and strengthening historic sites that remain an important part of Mysuru's academic and cultural heritage.
