Bhumika Rajan is welcomed to 'Shreematha', the home of poet Da Ra Bendre, with a spoonful of sugar and a fund of anecdotes about the famed poet.
'Baaro Sadhanakerige, marali ninni oorige/ maleyu eleyuva terige/ hasiru eride erige..', lines from Varakavi Dattatreya Ramachandra Bendre's poem that goes by the same title, started ringing in my ears as I neared Sadhanakeri. The visit to Shreematha, the poet's residence was quite unplanned.
But realising it would be a crime to not visit this place having come to Dharwad, I decided to spend the evening at Sadhanakeri.
A pleasant Sunday evening accompanied by a slight drizzle, in the backdrop of the setting sun created the perfect state of mind to visit the poet's home. This quaint place needs no direction boards or signposts. Everyone who is from this part of the State knows Bendre master or in a more colloquial term 'mastara's home' too well.
It is said that Bendre would never turn out any visitor or show displeasure if anybody visited him. I remember being told by my mother once that he had left Dom Moraes, a journalist, stupefied and stunned, when he went to interview him during the later years of his life by speaking endlessly on numerology apart from speaking on his works and various other kinds of literary works.
Such was the genius of this man. There are many such tales about this legendary figure.
Home & memorial
The doors of Shreematha were open and an old lady, a distant relative of Bendre, sat in the verandah poring through a book. On telling her the purpose of my visit, she asked me to ring the bell which would be an indication for Vamana Bendre that there is a visitor. Barely a minute after ringing the bell, the figure of an old man, appeared near the door.
Introducing himself as Vamana Bendre, the poet's son welcomed with a broad smile and a spoonful of sugar. It seems Bendre would always carry toffees in his pocket and give it to children he met on his way and would also greet anyone who went home with a spoonful of sugar.
Though the desire to explore every inch of this house was strong, restraint had to be exercised for it was not open for public as members of Bendre's family live in that house and it would not be polite to intrude into their private space.
However, Vamana Bendre guided me through the room where awards and laurels conferred on his father have carefully been preserved with a small note beneath each, suggesting the year in which awards were conferred upon the poet.
Copies of his works have been preserved with great care and some of his works can also be bought here. Inside the compound of this house can also be seen a huge portrait of Bendre and a space to sit in front of it.
Adjacent to this structure is the 'Bendre Bhavana'. This memorial has been built on the land donated by the poet's family to the Government of Karnataka.
It is maintained by the Da Ra Bendre Rashtreeya Trust and the government. Rare photographs of the poet from his younger days, copies of his works and things that he used, right from footwear to his spectacles, are preserved at the memorial. Bendre's works are also available for sale here. Also, lines from his poems have been inscribed on the walls of the memorial.
The building has a ground and a first floor. On the first floor is a library, which consists of works of prominent Indian writers including Bendre. Several literary and cultural events like lectures, seminars and music concerts are often organised by the Trust in the auditorium on the ground floor. The memorial overlooks the Sadhanakeri lake.
Lake & park
The area surrounding the lake has been converted into a small park which has a play area for children, a walkers' path and a small cafeteria that serves delicious mandakki (a spicy snack made out of puffed rice). Several intricately carved sculptures have been installed at various places inside the park.
A walk near the lake and a short boat ride is enough to rejuvenate a tired and worn out soul. Also for someone wishing to spend a quiet, solitary evening, this place can be a good choice.
It would be apt to cite a line from his poem here, 'Baro Sadhanakerige', 'Nandanada tunukondu biddide/ nota seradu yarige?'
How to get there
There are several buses and trains that ply to Dharwad. From the bus stand or railway station, plenty of autorickshaws and buses are available to reach Sadhanakeri.
'Baaro Sadhanakerige, marali ninni oorige/ maleyu eleyuva terige/ hasiru eride erige..', lines from Varakavi Dattatreya Ramachandra Bendre's poem that goes by the same title, started ringing in my ears as I neared Sadhanakeri. The visit to Shreematha, the poet's residence was quite unplanned.
But realising it would be a crime to not visit this place having come to Dharwad, I decided to spend the evening at Sadhanakeri.
A pleasant Sunday evening accompanied by a slight drizzle, in the backdrop of the setting sun created the perfect state of mind to visit the poet's home. This quaint place needs no direction boards or signposts. Everyone who is from this part of the State knows Bendre master or in a more colloquial term 'mastara's home' too well.
It is said that Bendre would never turn out any visitor or show displeasure if anybody visited him. I remember being told by my mother once that he had left Dom Moraes, a journalist, stupefied and stunned, when he went to interview him during the later years of his life by speaking endlessly on numerology apart from speaking on his works and various other kinds of literary works.
Such was the genius of this man. There are many such tales about this legendary figure.
Home & memorial
The doors of Shreematha were open and an old lady, a distant relative of Bendre, sat in the verandah poring through a book. On telling her the purpose of my visit, she asked me to ring the bell which would be an indication for Vamana Bendre that there is a visitor. Barely a minute after ringing the bell, the figure of an old man, appeared near the door.
Introducing himself as Vamana Bendre, the poet's son welcomed with a broad smile and a spoonful of sugar. It seems Bendre would always carry toffees in his pocket and give it to children he met on his way and would also greet anyone who went home with a spoonful of sugar.
Though the desire to explore every inch of this house was strong, restraint had to be exercised for it was not open for public as members of Bendre's family live in that house and it would not be polite to intrude into their private space.
However, Vamana Bendre guided me through the room where awards and laurels conferred on his father have carefully been preserved with a small note beneath each, suggesting the year in which awards were conferred upon the poet.
Copies of his works have been preserved with great care and some of his works can also be bought here. Inside the compound of this house can also be seen a huge portrait of Bendre and a space to sit in front of it.
Adjacent to this structure is the 'Bendre Bhavana'. This memorial has been built on the land donated by the poet's family to the Government of Karnataka.
It is maintained by the Da Ra Bendre Rashtreeya Trust and the government. Rare photographs of the poet from his younger days, copies of his works and things that he used, right from footwear to his spectacles, are preserved at the memorial. Bendre's works are also available for sale here. Also, lines from his poems have been inscribed on the walls of the memorial.
The building has a ground and a first floor. On the first floor is a library, which consists of works of prominent Indian writers including Bendre. Several literary and cultural events like lectures, seminars and music concerts are often organised by the Trust in the auditorium on the ground floor. The memorial overlooks the Sadhanakeri lake.
Lake & park
The area surrounding the lake has been converted into a small park which has a play area for children, a walkers' path and a small cafeteria that serves delicious mandakki (a spicy snack made out of puffed rice). Several intricately carved sculptures have been installed at various places inside the park.
A walk near the lake and a short boat ride is enough to rejuvenate a tired and worn out soul. Also for someone wishing to spend a quiet, solitary evening, this place can be a good choice.
It would be apt to cite a line from his poem here, 'Baro Sadhanakerige', 'Nandanada tunukondu biddide/ nota seradu yarige?'
How to get there
There are several buses and trains that ply to Dharwad. From the bus stand or railway station, plenty of autorickshaws and buses are available to reach Sadhanakeri.