One ticket to Malgudi please: RK Narayan’s fictional town comes alive

Fans of the popular 80s TV series 'Malgudi days' can now visit the 'Malgudi museum' at Arasalu railway station that pays tribute to the show. The museum was inaugurated on Saturday by Union Minister of State for Railways, Suresh Angadi via a weblink.

Shivamogga: The famous Arasalu railway station that featured in the popular television series 'Malgudi days' now houses the 'Malgudi museum' where fans can revisit fond memories of the hit 80s show.

Located in Karnataka's Shivamogga, the Indian railways renovated the Arasalu railway station after it was in shambles and a new railway station was constructed a few metres away from the old station.

The Arasalu Railway station can now accommodate 28-coach trains instead of the earlier 12-coach trains.

The plan for the renovation was confirmed by Shivamogga MP BY Raghavendra - who had earlier tried and failed to rename the old station as Malgudi railway station - in March 2019 and the museum was inaugurated on Saturday by the Union Minister of State for Railways, Suresh Angadi via a weblink.

Mysuru Railway DRM Aparna Garg said that passenger amenities worth Rs 2.5 crores were provided to Shivamogga for the tourist project.

The museum has been designed by famous artist John Devraj, who was also part of the iconic TV show.

It features toy trains, bogies, fountains and collection of photographs taken at the time of the shooting and also features a cosy tea shop in a coach stable.

Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa also tweeted about Malgudi museum.

The show 'Malgudi days' was based on the 1943 short story collection by R K Narayan and was directed by the late actor and director Shankar Nag.

Shankar Nag after visiting the Arasalu railway station where only two trains used to pass by and the nearby areas of Agumbe decided to make it the backdrop of the tele-series due to the rustic ambience.

Narayan himself approved of the location after visiting it.

Master Manjunath, Girish Karnad, Vaishali Kasaravalli, Anant Nag were among the actors who played roles in the series that used to be aired on DD National.

(With inputs from agencies)