New Delhi | Established in 1939, the Kerala Club is staring at the possibility of losing its historic home at Delhi's Connaught Place after receiving an eviction notice from its landlord over alleged non-payment of rent, prompting the organisation to prepare for a legal battle.

The Kerala Club was originally allotted the premises at Punj House in Connaught Place at a monthly rent of Rs 70, said its president, A J Philip. In 2004, a dispute arose between the club and the landlord over the nominal rent, following which the matter reached the court. The court directed the club to pay a revised monthly rent of Rs 243.

According to the club, it has continued to pay the court-fixed rent of Rs 243 every month since then.

One of the oldest clubs in the national capital, set up years before the formation of the state of Kerala, the club has been operating from its present premises since 1943. Over the decades, it has emerged as a cultural and social hub for the Malayali community in Delhi, hosting literary events, music festivals and traditional celebrations.

Philip said the landlord initiated eviction proceedings about three months ago, citing non-payment of rent, a claim the club has contested in court.

Philip denied the allegation of rent default. He said the dispute dates back to the early 2000s, when the landlord first sought to evict the club, and added that the matter is in the court and the first hearing is scheduled for July 28.

"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.

Philip said they started 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," he said.

Philip said shifting out of Connaught Place would be extremely difficult for a non-commercial cultural institution that has functioned from the same premises for more than eight decades.

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

Members said the institution has played a vital role in helping generations of Malayalis preserve their cultural identity while living away from their home state.

"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," said club member Susan Mathew.

Another member said the club is passing through a challenging phase, especially as many members of its founding generation are 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. That is my sole focus. We are putting in all efforts, we will see how far we can go," 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 several eminent Malayali civil servants and public figures, including V P Menon, N Raghavan Pillai, K R K Menon and P P Pillai.

Over the years, the club has hosted some of Kerala's most-celebrated writers, artistes and performers. It introduced Kathakali to Delhi through a four-day festival inaugurated by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1954 and has organised literary forums, music festivals and discussions on issues concerning Kerala.

The club has also been associated with several prominent national personalities over the decades. Former president S Radhakrishnan inaugurated its silver-jubilee celebrations in 1964, while former president V V Giri had participated in its Onam celebrations.