Author Archives: bangaloregirl
Making Space For Freedom-Sites of Significance
The most significant moment for us as Indians is being celebrated today. As flags get hoisted around the country, I sit here in Bengaluru thinking about the significance of freedom and the various things it means to us, including the ability to make choices for ourselves and the opening of minds to new possibilities. The […]
THE AMRIT MAHAL-Bullish About Battles
I saw a magnificent bull standing in busy Taramandalpete the other day. While my overseas visitors were thrilled with the unexpected opportunity to photograph local transport, I was struck by this happy coincidence. Despite name changes, rusty signboards here continue to call the area Taramandalpete. The name comes from another time in city history, and this nonchalant bull […]
Men of the Horse
There are many miles that separate Bengaluru from Haifa. But our city’s connection to this distant Mediterranean port town goes beyond geography to that of the spirit. It is where Mysorean cavalrymen earned honours and distinguished themselves during World War I. The town also became a final resting place for many who never returned home. […]
The Devanahalli Pomelo-An UnForbidden Fruit
The fruit `mandi’ or market near Fun World on Jayamahal Palace Road is where one usually scrambles around for prized mangoes in the late summer. Vendors set up tents and literally squat here all through the season.But it continues to show off some seasonal flavour or the other through the year, albeit on a smaller […]
SAILING INTO THE SUNSET-the fishing fleets
Remembering the women from England who came out to make a home in India as far back as the 17th century. The post box at my gate seems to be filled only with marketing pamphlets these days. As I tossed them into the bin, one caught my eye. It announced the onset of the wedding season […]
SET IN STONE-The Viragallu’s of Bengaluru
Right opposite the Kantheerava Stadium is a painted temple arch tucked between the busy Mallaya Hospital and the swank five star ITC Gardenia hotel. It leads into a secluded square plot where old tamarind trees cast shadows over a modest temple. “Long ago, this area was just forested land near the Sampige kere (lake)” says the […]
MAKING A CONNECTION
Everytime I go looking for people and places from Bengaluru’s past, I end up joining a few dots and sorting out some puzzles and missing pieces in city history. But sometimes, there are more dots than one can imagine.I’ve driven past this building for ever so long and always wondered about it, and so it […]
Placing Bengaluru 