Historic Kerala Club in Delhi faces eviction over rent dispute

New Delhi: The historic Kerala Club, one of the oldest cultural institutions for Malayalis in the national capital, is facing the prospect of losing its long-time home at Delhi's Connaught Place after receiving an eviction notice from its landlord over alleged non-payment of rent.

Established in 1939, years before the formation of the state of Kerala, the club has been functioning from Punj House in Connaught Place since 1943. It has since evolved into a prominent cultural and social hub for the Malayali community in Delhi, hosting literary events, music festivals and traditional celebrations.

Club president A J Philip said the organisation has challenged the eviction notice in court, denying the landlord's allegation that it had defaulted on rent. The first hearing in the case is scheduled for July 28.

According to Philip, the dispute dates back to the early 2000s when the landlord first sought to evict the club over the nominal rent being paid for the premises.

Originally, the club was allotted the property at a monthly rent of ₹70. In 2004, following litigation, a court revised the monthly rent to ₹243 and directed the club to continue paying that amount.

Philip said the club has complied with the court order ever since.

"They asked us to vacate the premises. We challenged it in court, which directed us to continue paying the rent after enhancing it. When we tried to pay the rent, it was not accepted," he said.

He added that the club subsequently began sending the rent through money orders to maintain a record, but those too were returned.

"On legal advice, we have been keeping the rent amount in a fixed deposit for the landlord for the last couple of decades," Philip said.

Describing the Connaught Place premises as integral to the club's identity, Philip said relocating would be extremely difficult for a non-commercial cultural institution that has operated from the same location for more than 80 years.

The club also plans to seek support from the Kerala and Delhi governments while contesting the eviction proceedings.

Members say the institution has played a key role in helping generations of Malayalis living in the national capital remain connected to their language, traditions and culture.

"It is important that our generation and the younger generation continue to have a forum like this. We visit Kerala only for a few days every year. Here, we remain connected to our culture throughout the year," club member Susan Mathew said.

Another member said the club was going through a particularly challenging period as many members of its founding generation were no longer around.

"We are in a vulnerable situation where the people of the founding generation are not with us. It is obvious that there are attempts to take over the place. But we will make efforts to retain this establishment. We want it to remain ours forever," the member said.

The Kerala Club traces its origins to an Onam gathering held at the residence of K P S Menon in Shimla in 1939. It later expanded in Delhi under the patronage of eminent Malayali civil servants and public figures, including V P Menon, N Raghavan Pillai, K R K Menon and P P Pillai.

Over the decades, the club has hosted many of Kerala's leading writers, artistes and performers. It introduced Kathakali to Delhi through a four-day festival inaugurated by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1954. Former President S Radhakrishnan inaugurated its silver jubilee celebrations in 1964, while former President V V Giri also attended its Onam celebrations, underscoring the institution's long-standing cultural significance.

(PTI)