Thiruvananthapuram: The Tourism Department has decided to take back the land handed over to sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan to begin a school of music at Veli Tourist Village. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by tourism minister A. C. Moideen here on Wednesday. Sources said that Ustad Amjad Ali Khan will be soon informed of the decision.
The preliminary work on the school had already begun. The foundation stone for the International School of Music was laid in the presence of the sarod virtuoso on May 19 this year, just a week before the LDF government was sworn in. Since a new government was not yet in place at that moment, it was chief secretary S. M. Vijayanand who unveiled the foundation stone plaque during the function. There were also reports that Amjad Ali Khan had met Pinarayi Vijayan in New Delhi after he had taken over as Chief Minister.
No senior officials were available for comment. However, here is the reason cited by the Tourism Minister’s office for taking back the 'gift': “The land can be used only for tourism purposes and not for any other activities.” A terse press release after the high-level meet did not mention the Ustad’s name but merely said that the major recommendation of the meeting was to reclaim the land in Veli given to a private party during the UDF tenure.
The school was to come up in two acres within the 25-acre Veli Tourist Village.
Amjad Ali Khan, during his visit to the state, had said that the school would follow the gurukal system, and would have residential facilities for the students. “For good results, it was important for the students to live along with the teachers,” the Ustad had said.
Former tourism minister A P Anil Kumar said that the LDF move to ask the land back from the Ustad was unfortunate. “It was the Ustad himself who had put forward the request for land during a meeting he had with the then Chief Minister Oommen Chandy,” Mr Anil Kumar said. “When the Chief Minister sought our opinion, we were only happy to part with the land. The decision to hand over the two acres was unanimous. We thought it was an honour to have a legend like him associated with our state,” he added.
