T’puram: After its renovation, the historic ‘AR Centre’ (Oriental Block) at University College will be inaugurated by higher education minister R Bindu on Wednesday. Named after A R Rajarajavarma, the first Malayali principal of University College and head of Malayalam-Sanskrit departments of the college, this building complex is one of the notable heritage centres in the college’s history.During his tenure as the superintendent of local language, Rajarajavarma recognized the lack of ornamental and metrical treatises in Malayalam and prepared class notes for students, which later led to the creation of notable works like Bhashabhushanam and Vrithamanjari. This building, which combines linguistic, literary and historical significance, witnessed the presence of many prominent figures in Malayalam literature and culture. Alongside Rajarajavarma, many distinguished individuals such as Kovunni Nedungadi, Aattur Krishna Pisharadi, K Godavarma, Elamkulam Kunjan Pillai, V Krishnan Thampi, Konniyoor Meenakshi Amma, P K Narayana Pillai, Sooranad Kunjan Pillai, N Krishna Pillai, Nabeesa Ummal, S Guptan Nair, K M Daniel, M Krishnan Nair, M N Vijayan, Thirunalloor Karunakaran, ONV Kurup, Panmana Ramachandran Nair, D Vinayachandran, and V P Sivakumar were associated with this institution. Notable students who studied here include Changampuzha Krishna Pillai, K M George, C L Antony, G Shankara Pillai, Aattur Ravivarma, M K Sanu, N Mohanan and Puthussery Ramachandran. The building, which deteriorated over time, was renovated with govt KIIFB funds, costing Rs 3.5 crore, preserving it as a heritage monument. Currently, the building houses classrooms for the Malayalam, Hindi and Sanskrit departments, as well as the library for Malayalam department.
