Heritage to unfold on Race Course

Heritage to unfold on Race Course

The Race Course campus is all set to house a heritage museum that will showcase replicas of famous monuments of the state

Rohith B R. Bangalore

Race of history: A heritage museum is to come up at Race Course

If you are interested in the history of the state and its architectural heritage, here is some piece of good news.
The directorate of archaeology and museums is planning to establish a 'Heritage Museum' on the Race Course campus in the city.
If things happen as planned, replicas of famous monuments of Karnataka like Gol Gumbaz of Bijapur, the Shilabalikas of Belur, monuments of Hampi and many others will be showcased at the race course campus.
The department has sent a proposal to the state government, seeking 20 acres of land in the Race Course as the course itself is likely to be shifted to the city outskirts.
The department plans to start this Rs20 crore project and the museum is likely to be called the 'Karnataka Parampare Bimbisuva Vasthu Sangrahalaya' (museum to portray the heritage of Karnataka). It would house life-size models of major monuments of the state.
Speaking to DNA, director of archaeology and museums, Dr R Gopal said that a museum in the heart of the city would go a long way in promoting the tourism industry in the state. "This state-of-the-art museum will include audio and visual supplements for each monument displayed," he added.
Gopal said that the corresponding sound and light shows will give the visitors a "real" feel about the actual structures. Officials in the Kannada and culture department, under whose jurisdiction the directorate of archaeology comes, said that the government has already given an initial grant of Rs3 crore for the project.
In July 2008, the chief minister BS Yeddyurappa had asked the Bangalore Turf Club to shift the Race Course to the city outskirts.
The government has also set a deadline of December 31, 2009 for the same.