The olden eye

"Uplands" in High Grounds, Bangalore became the residence of Sir MV after his retirement.  When the owner wanted the bungalow, he shifted to No. 5, Cubbon Road, a small bungalow placed at his disposal by the Mysore Government. . . . Sir MV lived alone in those days except for his cook, his personal assistant, Sadgopalachar, and12 servants. At the instance of Advani and other friends that he should have somebody to look after him in his old age with love and affection, he permitted only M. R. Krishnamurthy, his nephew and his wife to stay with him in "Uplands."…

"Uplands" in High Grounds, Bangalore became the residence of Sir MV after his retirement.  When the owner wanted the bungalow, he shifted to No. 5, Cubbon Road, a small bungalow placed at his disposal by the Mysore Government. . . . Sir MV lived alone in those days except for his cook, his personal assistant, Sadgopalachar, and12 servants. At the instance of Advani and other friends that he should have somebody to look after him in his old age with love and affection, he permitted only M. R. Krishnamurthy, his nephew and his wife to stay with him in "Uplands."…

The last week was a busy one for INTACHers, what with two heritage walks back-to-back, besides a lot of parleys and planning for a forthcoming event (you'll hear more about it soon). Intach members with children from SECA at Bangalore Fort. Pic courtesy: Meera Iyer. Saturday's Parichay (as our heritage walks are called) was led by Krupa Rajangam and was at Whitefield, where the altar of a historic church might be sacrificed at the altar of ‘development', if the BBMP has its way. Both residents of Whitefield and other Bangaloreans turned out in good numbers to learn more about this…

The last week was a busy one for INTACHers, what with two heritage walks back-to-back, besides a lot of parleys and planning for a forthcoming event (you'll hear more about it soon). Intach members with children from SECA at Bangalore Fort. Pic courtesy: Meera Iyer. Saturday's Parichay (as our heritage walks are called) was led by Krupa Rajangam and was at Whitefield, where the altar of a historic church might be sacrificed at the altar of ‘development', if the BBMP has its way. Both residents of Whitefield and other Bangaloreans turned out in good numbers to learn more about this…

Courtesy: Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH). It isn’t often that an old structure gets added to the cityscape but exactly this happened two months ago when the Muzrai Department excavated the old tank associated with the Someshwara Temple in Ulsoor.A cowshed stood at the spot earlier and a little shop on one side. The unearthing of the tank involved demolition of portions of some houses along its sides and so naturally generated some controversy – the excavation is now mired in a court case.Like in the case of the temple itself, we have no exact date…

Courtesy: Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH). It isn’t often that an old structure gets added to the cityscape but exactly this happened two months ago when the Muzrai Department excavated the old tank associated with the Someshwara Temple in Ulsoor.A cowshed stood at the spot earlier and a little shop on one side. The unearthing of the tank involved demolition of portions of some houses along its sides and so naturally generated some controversy – the excavation is now mired in a court case.Like in the case of the temple itself, we have no exact date…

Last week’s photo was of a memorial that is said to be of Lakshmamma, daughter-in-law of Kempegowda, founder of Bangalore. The story goes that when Kempegowda was building his new fort, its southern gate would collapse every night. Astrologers advised him to conduct a human sacrifice but Kempegowda was reluctant to do so. And then one morning, as workers went to work on the gate once again, they found it had not collapsed. But nearby lay the body of Lakshmamma, Kempegowda’s pregnant daughter-in-law, who had killed herself to appease the Gods. A distraught Kempegowda is said to have built a…

Courtesy: Meera Iyer. This memorial in Koramangala is supposed to mark the spot where a daughter-in-law is said to have died for the sake of our city many, many years ago. Where exactly is this memorial and how is it connected with the story of our city? INTACH is a non-profit organisation, setup to protect and conserve India's vast natural and cultural heritage. See the answer in my next post.  ⊕

Last week’s photo was of a memorial that is said to be of Lakshmamma, daughter-in-law of Kempegowda, founder of Bangalore. The story goes that when Kempegowda was building his new fort, its southern gate would collapse every night. Astrologers advised him to conduct a human sacrifice but Kempegowda was reluctant to do so. And then one morning, as workers went to work on the gate once again, they found it had not collapsed. But nearby lay the body of Lakshmamma, Kempegowda’s pregnant daughter-in-law, who had killed herself to appease the Gods. A distraught Kempegowda is said to have built a…

Courtesy: Meera Iyer. This memorial in Koramangala is supposed to mark the spot where a daughter-in-law is said to have died for the sake of our city many, many years ago. Where exactly is this memorial and how is it connected with the story of our city? INTACH is a non-profit organisation, setup to protect and conserve India's vast natural and cultural heritage. See the answer in my next post.  ⊕