Campaign against razing of iconic Mysuru structures gets royal support, Yaduveer flags off rally

By NT Correspondent

Mysuru: The campaign for conservation of two heritage structures of Mysuru City- Devaraja Market and Lansdowne Building-received a shot in the arm with Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, scion of the erstwhile Mysore royal family, plunging into the campaign in Mysuru on Wednesday.

Yaduveer flagged off a rally of traders of the Market and Lansdowne Building who downed shutters for half a day to take out the protest rally against the decision of the District Heritage Committee headed by Deputy Commissioner Dr Bagadi Gautam to raze both structures and rebuild them in a similar style. For some reason, the scion did not participate in the rally though he addressed the gathering before flagging off the rally. 

In his speech, Yaduveer said Devaraja Market will remain strong for another century if conservation measures are initiated earnestly. The market has been a one-stop market for citizens of Mysuru and is also a symbol of the city’s art and culture. People still feel proud to do their shopping daily in the market which has all commercial sections. The need of the hour is to restore it and protect it for the sake of coming generations who would be able to see for themselves the benevolence of Mysuru rulers and the architectural skills of designers of a bygone era.

The scion said the ‘Save heritage buildings movement’ has been active since the last three years. With proper conservation techniques and modern technology, both Devaraja Market and Lansdowne buildings can be restored to their original style. The decision to demolish the two iconic structures was taken in the absence of members of the Heritage Experts Committee. In fact, several experts have shown interest in supporting the heritage structures. Such a major decision was taken in the absence of Heritage committee members, he lamented.

The protest rally culminated at the Deputy Commissioner’s office.

Devaraja Market Tenants Association President S Mahadev, newly-elected President of Mysore Chamber of Commerce and Industry K B Lingaraju and Secretary Shivaji Rao participated in the protest along with hundreds of vendors of both markets.