The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has started renovation of the house of the pioneer of modern Assamese literature Lakshminath Bezbaroa at Sambalpur, Odisha, an INTACH official said on Sunday.
Bezbaroa stayed in the house, located at Nelson Mandela Chowk of Sambalpur for 20 years from 1917 to 1937.
He had built another house in the city in 1924. The renowned writer of many popular Assamese novels lived in one house and used the other as his office.
INTACH has been renovating the building, which was used as office by the Assamese poet, said a member of INTACH, Sambalpur chapter, Deepak Panda.
Panda also said that the renovation work which has already been started would comprise removal of the old plaster of walls and covering of the cracks besides complete repair of the roof of the building.
He said a paste prepared from lime, wood apple gum and jaggery will be used for plastering the walls of the building
Panda also added that the INTACH have set a target to complete the renovation work of the building within six months.
The portrait of Bezbaroa, his literary works, old photographs, and artefacts of Odisha and Assam will be on display in the building after the renovation work is completed.
INTACH will start renovation of the house where Bezbaroa stayed, once the renovation of the writer’s office building is over.
Both Odisha and Assam governments have sanctioned Rs 50 lakh each for the renovation of both houses.
The Cultural Affairs Minister of Assam, Naba Kumar Doley, and media adviser to Chief Minister of Assam, Hrishikesh Goswami, had visited Sambalpur in October last year after news regarding demolition plan of both the houses was reported in media.
They discussed the issue with Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and later a decision to modify the design of the rotary junction and preservation of both the houses of Bezbaroa was taken.
Even though the renovation work has started, the Assam government has not been able to release Rs 50 lakh due to lack of cooperation from the Odisha government, reports The New Indian Express.
Chief Advisor to the Chief Minister Hrishikesh Goswami said that despite repeated representations made by the Assam Government, the Odisha Government had not yet given it the bank account number for transfer of fund.