Renowned Kannada poet Kuvempu was born in Kuppalli
village near Thirthahalli in Shivamogga District. The traditional house of
Kuvempu where he lived and grew up is developed into a museum. The
childhood home of Kuvempu at Kuppalli has been converted into a museum by a
trust called Rashtrakavi Kuvempu Pratishtana.
Kuppalli is
around 18 km from Thirthahalli and
80 kms from the Shivamogga. From Shivamogga, one has to take NH – 13 to
reach Thirthahalli, and take Koppa road to reach Kuppalli. From Bangalore,
one has to take NH-206 to reach Shivamogga. There is an overnight bus run by KSRTC from
Bangalore to Kuppalli. The total distance from Bangalore to Kuppalli is around 350 km.
Kuppalli -
house of Kuvempu is well maintained and there is a small park in front of the
house. House is open for visitors from morning 9 to evening 6. There are lot of
things inside the house which tell the visitors the lifestyle of people in this
part of the world in 40's and 50's. There is also a small collection of books
of KUVEMPU.
The first letter in the pen name Kuvempu (ಕುವೆಂಪು) from his full name Kuppalli Venkatappa Puttappa” is symbolic of this place Kuppalli.
The house
consists of a central square area open to sky and surrounded by a courtyard.
There is an entry fee of Rupees ten for adults and for children over the age of
ten. Photography inside the house is prohibited.
Kavishaila
Another major attraction here is the 'Kavishaila' - which is a tomb of late poet. Kavishaila is just a small hill adjacent to the house. There is a trekking path from the house to reach Kavishaila. Kavishaila is cool, silent and beautiful. Kavishaila is slightly higher place so you can see adjacent hills and green paddy fields.
Kavishaila is
a rock monument made of megalithic rocks and dedicated to Kuvempu. It is on the
top of a small hill in Kuppalli. Arranged in a circular fashion, the rocks have
been placed to resemble the Stonehenge in
England. At the centre of this rock monument is the place where Kuvempu was
laid to rest after his death and a memorial has been constructed at that
location. Near this monument, is a small rock where Kuvempu used to sit and
discuss about literature and other topics with his other litterateur friends.
The scenery around this place is breathtaking. Granite slabs containing
engraved poems and quotes of Kuvempu have been placed near the monument.
Birth Centenary building
Before the
poet’s house is an ancient house renovated in commemoration of his centenary birth celebrations. Many paintings of oil on canvas depicting story of Kuvempu’s
novels can be seen here. Photos of birds captured by Tejasvi in his lens are
also displayed here.
