A country’s history and eminence lie in its heritage. Architecture is one of the main components of a rich heritage. Sadly, today, people are obsessed with high cement towers where they are content to live in small flats. There are many who have left their old homes in villages to relocate to such small cement homes in urban areas. Villages are getting fewer due to rapid urbanisation and while in the process, we are also losing a rich culture comprising cuisine, customs, arts and of course, architecture.

One man could not stand this fast happening depletion of heritage and he decided to restore it and the result of his determination is the Hasta Shilpa Heritage Village at Manipal in Karnataka. This man is Vijaynath Shenoy, a retired banker, whose sole passion and dedication has resulted in the restoration of around 26 structures, which otherwise would have been lost to mankind forever.

History

Vijaynath Shenoy was pained to see how buildings which were symbols of ancient culture and heritage were dismantled cruelly to pave way for modern buildings which neither has character nor vision. He decided to do something about it and that is how he thought of relocation and restoration of these ancient buildings. This is how he planned to do it. He would approach owners of these buildings to let him relocate these old structures by transporting whole parts. While he had to pay for many structures, some donated their buildings to Shenoy.

Shenoy started with just 40 lakh donation from NORAD, a Norwegian Aid Agency in the six acres of land given to him by the state government. Today, he has relocated and restored more than 26 heritage structures. These structures are not just residential ones but also temples and hermitages. The restructured homes belong to different eras.

Heritage Structures in the Heritage Village

Some of the houses present in the heritage village after their due restoration are:

• Kunjur Chowkimane built in ancient traditional Kerala style architecture from Kerala
• Hungaracutta Bansaale Mane: A trader's house from Dakshina Kannada district
• Harkur Olaginamane: the house of bunt farmers from Dakshina Kannada district
• Sringeri House Chikmagalur district of Karnataka
• Vaderhobli House Koni Karanths of Kundapura Taluk
• Byndoor-Nelyadi House
• Mangalore Christian House
• Yerukone House Kundapura Taluk
• Hengavalli-Korra House Dakshina Kannada district
• Bhatkal Navayath Muslim House Uttara Kannada district
• Jungam Mutt of Puchchamogaru Dakshina Kannada district
• Vidyamandira of Ramchandrapura Mutt

The Heritage Village has also restored some palaces which are:

• Kamal Mahal of Kukanoor entirely built of teakwood
• Deccani Nawab Mahal
• Mudhol Palace Durbar Hall

Galleries and Museums in the Heritage Village

• Ganjifa Gallery
• Museum of Folk Arts
• Museum of Arts & Crafts
• Raja Ravi Varma Museum
• Thanjavur Paintings Museum
• G. Reghu Gallery of Sculptures
• S. Adaikalasamy Art Gallery
• Contemporary Paintings
• Mercantile Museum
• Basel Mission Museum

There are also reconstructed village markets, crafts bazaar and shrines.

Library and Documentation Centre

With the view to help researchers and students to get to know about ancient architecture and culture, there is an extensive library and documentation centre at the Heritage village. They also have a publication house.

Timings and Tickets

As of now visitors are not allowed as there is constant reconstruction activity going on at the Heritage Village.

Contact Details

Mr Vijayanath Shenoy
Founder and Secretary, Hasta Shilpa Trust 
50, Anantnagar, Manipal - 576 104
Karnataka, India
Phone number: +91 98452 29701