A legacy makes MANDYA proud

KYATUMGRE (MANDYA): Those who live in crammed apartments in cities, where an additional room would be a luxury, sit tight to hear the tale of a unique house.
With 50 rooms, 40 doors, more than 45 wooden pillars, this house at Kyatumgere village in Mandya taluk is spread over one and half acres of land.
Owned by freedom fighter Betta Shetty's family, the house is known for its joint families living for the past seven generations.
Sahukar Muthappa, a grocer and feudal landlord, was the partriarch of the family. Decades ago, his was the only family supplying foodgrains and spices to entire Mandya.
His great-grandson Betta Shetty, a freedom fighter, who died some years ago, owned the house and used to make generous donations to the public.
Shetty also gave away a piece of land to build an overhead tank in the village. A descendant of the family, Ammayamma, a centenarian, said: "Our family used to do business and farming. There were thousands of labourers working in the fields and shops in the old town."
Usha, granddaughter of Ammayamma said: "Our family has lived in this house for more than seven generations . The family has donated ancestral property for public need."
"The joint family which lived here for more than seven generations got divided a couple of years ago as many of them left the village seeking jobs in cities. We still meet to celebrate special occasions in the same old house," another granddaughter, Roopa, said.
Now, Ammayamma is the senior most member in the house, living with 80-year-old Gouramma, 60-yearold Jayamma and their dependents.
However, the 200-year-old building is in a dilapidated condition. The mud walls and old doors have broken . Old tiles are also damaged due to bad maintenance.
Several films, including actor Shivarajkumar's runaway hit Jogi, were picturized in this house.