BENGALURU: Following years of government reluctance to maintain it, the heirless Tataguni Estate—once home to Indian cinema’s first lady Devika Rani and her husband Dr Svetoslav Roerich, famous Russian artist, is springing back to life. The Karnataka government has taken up various initiatives to develop it as a global tourism destination. The estate, located about 29 km from Bengaluru, is a major lung space for the city. Spread across 469 acres, the property which includes a lake is more than twice the size of Lalbagh. The serene Karithimmaiah Lake was constructed long ago as a perennial source of water for people as well as animals and bird species.
Apart from this, there are various structures including the Roerich residence, a linanoe oil extracting plant, Bursera seed drying yard, art studio, guest houses and also servant quarters. The couple had a Bursera plantation (origin: Mexico) as well as the linanoe plant for extraction of oil from Bursera seeds. More than 20 labourers worked there. The Roerich and Devika Rani Estate Board has taken up conservation of all these facilities.
For landscape design, the Board has decided to take rope in experts in environment and ecology. Twenty five acres have been earmarked for a rose park and five acres of this have been developed by the Horticulture Department. A total of 100 acres have been earmarked for a tree park wherein the Forest Department has planted around 10,000 plants of different species.
In addition, it is proposed to built a world class museum on 25 acres at a cost of `25 crore which has been sanctioned by the Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage Department. Dr N Manjula, Commissioner of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage Department, said they have appointed consultants to prepare a detailed project report for the proposed museum.