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Priceless Discovery


Lakkinakoppa is a very tiny hamlet - about 10-15 km from Shimoga on the
Shimoga- NR Pura- Koppa road. This deserted, aesthetic building in Lakkinakoppa had always made us wonder - 'Doesn't look like a house...what could it be?'

Forever in a hurry, we had left it at that...until that afternoon 2-3 years ago. That day, we had plenty of time! Slowing down, we realised that the building was a museum called Amulya Shodha.
Amulya means 'valuable'/ 'priceless' & Shodha means 'discovery'.

Built on the boundary of a beautiful arecanut plantation and surrounded by a well maintained garden, Amulya Shodha is a private museum belonging to retired history professor, Mr.H.Khandoba Rao.

We decided to check it out and were taken aback when the caretaker told us that entry was free! What we saw inside was a mind boggling collection by a single individual - of pots, pans, cutlery, utensils, lamps, weapons, musical instruments, indoor games, clothes, coins, jewellery, wine bottles,...... all belonging to a different era, all arranged in an orderly manner and maintained well. Very impressive! Of course, the first thing that impresses is the fact that someone has actually set up a museum in a remote region and is maintaining it well without help from other sources.

It didn't seem okay to experience so much of history without contributing anything to the museum's upkeep. Writing so in the book kept for visitors' remarks, we bought a book - naaNya (Coins) by Mr.Khandoba Rao that was on sale. Mr.Rao is an expert on coins. That explains the huge collection of coins & currencies - belonging to various nations & civilisations!

A brochure that came with the book informed us that the sole purpose of this venture was to preserve the representatives of a bygone era for the younger generation. How noble!

The visit to this museum came back to me when it was featured in the 'Plan your weekend' column of the newspaper. Amulya Shodha was recommended as 'Must see' on the way to the Bhadra Dam at Lakkavalli.

I agree! I agree!
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Comments

  1. Nanda Kishor B21 July, 2011

    I agree! I agree!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Prateek Suryaprakash28 March, 2013

    It's a really beautiful place.. But I did not get a chance to visit this place till the day my school management arranged a recreational tour one evening.. It's a wonderful location to spend a serene evening.. For those who are interested in history, this place is a treat..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Soumya29 March, 2013

      True... full marks to the history teacher for his selfless dedication to his subject.....

      Delete
  3. Prateek Suryaprakash29 March, 2013

    Absolutely :)

    ReplyDelete

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