ALAPPUZHA:Kumaran Asan - the most celebrated of state’s modern triumvirate poets - who lost his life in tragic boat mishap in 1924, will soon get a new memorial at Pallana. The State Tourism Department has already commenced the construction work. The state government has sanctioned Rs 4.80 crore for the project.
According to Shamsudheen Kayippuram, vice-chairman of Mahakavi Kumaran Asan Memorial Samithi, the memorial will have the image of a pen when viewed from one side and that of house boat if viewed from another. The boat- form was chosen as Asan died at Pallana in a boat tragedy on 16 January, 1924.
A mural painting depicting the life and contributions of Asan, visual theatre, library and guest rooms will be part of the memorial, Shamsudheen said.
A boat jetty with facility to anchor four boats at a time will also be part of the project. The Asan Memorial School near the memorial will also be modernised, he said.
The project is being implemented under the Literary Tourism Project. Forest Industries (Trvancore) Limited is the implementing agency. The state government has already handed over Rs 2.40 crore for the project. The existing Asan Smarakam will be protected without changes.
Samithi chairman N Upendran said they have plans to construct an arch at the beginning of the Pallana-Kumarakodi road.
Upendran said the construction would be completed by December. The memorial would be dedicated on January 16, the death anniversary of Kumaran Asan, he said.