Alumni restore century-old classroom block at Mulki school

Mangaluru: Alumni of Kolakadi Aided Higher Primary School in Mulki have restored a century-old classroom block built in 1924, choosing conservation over demolition to preserve its heritage design and the memories tied to it.The renovated 7,000 sqft building was inaugurated on Saturday. The project was driven largely by shramadhana, with former students returning week after week to carry out manual work. Since Oct, 30–40 alumni spent every Sunday and public holiday hauling soil, clearing debris, plastering, supporting carpentry work and painting, working with skilled labour where needed.Nitin K Shetty Panjinadka, president of the alumni association, said the decision to restore the structure in its original form had been discussed for long. Natural Ice Cream founder and alumnus Raghunandan Kamath repeatedly spoke about protecting the heritage block during his visits.Shetty said the restoration cost about Rs 40 lakh, and voluntary labour significantly reduced expenses. Calling the effort a repayment of a debt to the institution that shaped generations, he said the aim was to ensure the building stands strong for another century. He added that the work was not merely structural but emotional, tied to the school's role in educating thousands over the past 140 years.Alumnus Venkataraman Kamath, known as Venki Palimar, said the school was once a vital centre of learning for the rural hamlets of Panjinadka and Atikaribettu. By the centenary of its 1924 block, however, the building had severely deteriorated, with cracked walls and a leaking roof posing safety risks. Alumni said the decline threatened the legacy of distinguished students such as Vijaya Bank founder Sundaram Shetty, Adlabs founder Manmohan Shetty and Raghunandan Kamath.The school traces its roots to 1886, when it began as an informal initiative by Vasudeva Kamath. It later grew into an institution that broke social barriers, including welcoming women students. Headmaster Ambarish said the restored block has already sparked renewed enthusiasm among children. The higher primary school has about 120 students, while the high school has 102.