KOCHI: The Kerala Lalithakala Akademi has requested the state government to transfer the ownership and maintenance of the Travancore House in New Delhi to it. The akademi proposes to renovate it into a gallery complex that could showcase the paintings of both the renowned as well as the contemporary artists of Kerala.According to the proposal, the Travancore House will have several sub-galleries each showcasing the paintings of a renowned artist from Kerala. Apart from this, several art galleries will be developed where the artists from Kerala can exhibit their paintings at nominal costs.“The Travancore House is ideally located at the heart of New Delhi. But owing to the prolonged negligence, the building now lies in ruins and the artists are left with no option but to hire private art galleries in spite of their alarming rent. We hope to make the Travancore House a forum to showcase the artists of Kerala and their art,” Akademi chairman K A Francis said.In the first phase, the akademi proposes to hold a month-long shilpakala (sculpture) camp. “We will hope to rope in six world-renowned artists for the camp. At the camp each artist will create a sculpture and those will be displayed in the compound of the Travancore House. This is estimated to cost Rs 60 lakh,” Francis said.Meanwhile, the government order for the renovation of Travancore House has been pending for more than a year. “The report on the renovation has recommended re-plastering, construction of gutters to channel rainwater and tiling around the building to a width of 20 among others”, New Delhi Kerala House field publicity officer Ganesan said.
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