Consumer body demands restoration of historical names in Mysore

While Mysore claims the status of being a heritage city, its heritage value seems to be eroding of late.

While heritage buildings like the Lansdowne Building faces the threat of collapse, many of its roads named after the royal family or on historic occasions are witnessing a change of names, eroding the very heritage value of Mysore.

Taking up the issue of the recent changes in the names of some of the prominent roads and areas, the Karnataka Consumers' Forum, a non-governmental body fighting for consumer and civic issues, has demanded the restoration of its erstwhile names in keeping with the city's claim of a heritage status.

In a letter addressed to the Deputy Commissioner and the Commissioner for Archaeology & Heritage, Forum President S P Thirumala Rao drew their attention to how the historical names had been changed, showing disrespect to the former rulers who had earned praise for their contribution to the development of the city and the state.

 

Recalling that the 'Princess Krishnarajammanni Sanatorium' was built in memory of Princess Krishnarajammani, sister of Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV, who succumbed to tuberculosis, Rao said it had been now been renamed 'PKTB and Chest Hospital'.

The road from H C Dasappa Circle at Dhanvantri Road to the sanatorium had been renamed 'K R S Road' replacing its original name, "Princess Road", given by Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV.

Another instance he cited is of the 'Brindavana Nagara', opposite the sanatorium. This extension was now being called the 'Brindavan Extension" by the Mysore City Corporation and other departments, ignoring the original Kannada name. Taking exception to calling this and portions of adjoining Gokulam and Yadavagiri area as "Brindavan Extension" as it would mislead visitors into assuming it to be a part of Brindavan Gardens (KRS), he demanded restoring the original Kannada name.

Similarly, Rao said, the Maharaja had christened the area adjacent to the sanatorium as 'Gokulam' as it was a 'gomala', where residents reared cows, and erected a beautiful figure of a cow and calf. But now, this place was being called as "Nanda Gokula" instead of "Brindavana Nagara".

While reiterating his demand, the consumer activist cited the example how the MCC had to restore the original name of Vani Vilasa Road after the issue was taken up in court challenging the civic body's decision in renaming it as 'M G Road'.

He has also addressed copies of his letter to the Commissioners of MCC and Mysore Urban Development Authority.