New Delhi:
Memories of Malgudi Days is etched in every 90s kid's heart. With its tiny railway station and Swaminathan running down the platforms peering at the faces of passengers, Malgudi made its way into Narayan’s first book, Swami and Friends. And now fiction is paving its way to reality as a railway station in Karnataka is all set to be renamed as 'Malgudi' railway station.
The Arisamala railway station in Shivamogga district of Karnataka is all set to be renamed as 'Malgudi' railway station.
In addition, a 'Malgudi days' museum is being constructed near the present railway station, which was featured as 'Malgudi railway station' in the series.
Artist John Devaraj, who is in charge of the project is trying his best to incorporate every detail of Malgudi station in the newly built museum.
"I am trying to recreate Malgudi right here, the way it was created, trying to incorporate all the elements that went into the creation of Malgudi," said John Devaraj.
The project is being funded jointly South-Western railways and local Shivamogga Member of Parliament BY Raghavendra, son of Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa.
Malgudi Days directed by Shankar Nag gained worldwide recognition for its gripping plot and interesting enactment of its characters by some of the most celebrated Indian actors including the late Girish Karnad. R. K Narayan's younger brother and acclaimed cartoonist R. K. Laxman was the sketch artist.
Malgudi Days aired thirty-nine episodes on Doordarshan in 1987. Most of the series was shot in Agumbe village in Shimoga district, Karnataka. Some episodes were filmed in Bengaluru and some others in Devarayanadurga located in Tumakuru district in Karnataka. In 2004, the project was revived with filmmaker Kavitha Lankesh.
