Walking through Bangalore’s Roads

Amidst of a buzzing day, one of my friend had called in to seek some info, and casually asked, where am I? I said currently I am at JP Nagar, Jayaprakash Narayan Nagar.

He was happy to hear that, and said he didn’t know who was JP. I said, he is a Bharat Ratna popularly called as Loknayak. And this area is named after him. Just as a cheery exchange, I asked what does RT Nagar, BTM Layout, HSR Layout stand for?

This was the inception of this snippet to introduce Bengaluru’s expanse and its nomenclature with areas, roads and localities – its significance with its name and the relic behind it.

Bangalore holds its history with Gangas, Cholas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagar, Wodeyers and predominantly recognizes with Kempegowda’s establishment of fort here during early 16^th century. Bendakaaluru became Bangalore during British Raj and officially called ‘Bengaluru’ since 2006.

Being the 3^rd populous city in India, spread over 741sq.kms, it has more than hundred areas narrating its own story and carrying rich etymology behind it.

Walking through ‘Namma Bengaluru’s belt’ reveals lot of interesting facts. Here is a small attempt to connect etymology, history and recognize few unheard heroes and their work.

Mehkri (Not Mekhri) Circle: Named after a businessman Enayathulla Mehkri who levelled the rough climb from Hebbal tank spending his own money of 10,000 rupees which was big amount in 1930’s. This came to attention of Krishnaraja Wodeyer who attempted to payback the amount, but Mehkri denied to accept. The appreciation was expressed by naming the confluence in his name.

Hudson Circle: Located adjacent to Hudson Memorial Church, built in 1904 is named after a Canarese scholar and educationist Josiah Hudson who is appreciated to have started many schools at Bangalore region during early 1900’s.

Bhashyam Circle: Named after KT Bhashyam who was a congress leader, businessman and activist during freedom struggle attempted to unite around 30,000 mill workers during 1920’s.

Anandarao Circle: T Ananda Rao, Diwan of Mysore during 1909-1912 was an able administrator. He has laurels to have constructed reservoir for Shivanasamudra Power Station, laid construction stone for KRS Dam, and started economic forums and conferences during his period.

Rajajinagar:  Adored as Rajaji, C Rajagopalachari was a freedom fighter, lawyer, writer, historian and statesman. He was the first Indian born, last Governor General of India as India became republic in 1950. He was one of the first recipients of India's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna.

Sheshadripuram: Regarded as ‘Maker of Modern Bangalore’-  Sir. K Sheshadri Iyer, Diwan of Mysore from 1883-1900 was a great statesman. Shivanasamudra Hydroelectric project commencement, establishing KGF, Victoria Hospital, promoting science forums he has big hand in instituting IISc at Bangalore. 

RT Nagar – First Indian and a non-european recipient of Noble Prize in literature, Rabindranath Tagore leaves his mark in Indian history and we at Bangalore honor him with his name embedded into our geography.

Sadashivanagar: Named after great Kannada freedom fighter and philanthropist Karnad Sadashiva Rao.

Whitefield: Anglo Indian settlement during 1882-83 had a political reek where His Highness of Mysore Chamaraja Wodeyer donated a portion of this region to DS White, the then President of the Eurasian and Anglo-Indian Association. The neighborhood then got its moniker from White’s name for the settlement of Anglo Indians in the region.

Sunkadakatte: This is certainly an interesting name cradling a place where tax/toll was collected. ‘Sunka’ in Kannada means tax. Because it was located beside a lake which had a wide place to sit it held the name of ‘katte’. Sunkadakatte emerged combining two.

Nagarbhavi: Due to urbanization, things have changed it's attributes. Nagarbhavi is one neighborhood in Bangalore which was named because of the number of snakes’ present in the locality. As it was amidst of hillocks forming a kind of well structure, it positioned its name as Nagarbhavi.

Madiwala: Sounds amusing, current Madiwala was the outskirts of then Bangalore where washermen used to stay.  The term Madiwala means washer man in Kannada. Madiwala lake, one of the big waterbodies is nearly 300 years old and was mainly used by them for drinking purpose.

Malleshwaram, Banashankari, Basavanagudi, Gavipuram – few more gets its name because of its renowned temples in the region. BTM & HSR Layout is named for congregating its adjacent areas.

There are much more interesting facts to be shared. Shall be back soon for another walk. 

Fountainhead Series: Open & Closed Gates

It was Sunday afternoon, and I was into cleaning mode. A continuous honking started disrupting music that was on. The noise was heard evidently as the room is just above the pathway from basement leading to main road.

Honking is routine for most – helmets & headsets on or windows closed, it might not reach to an irritation level when on the move. How does it feel to hear someone honking continuously? It would annoy anybody after a point. I tried ignoring it for a minute or so, but when it continued – I could not resist peeping out.

It was a white sedan, around 5 feet away from the main gate, honking as if the entire energy in his body was concentrated in his hands. I saw the fuss for 30 more seconds and was a little irked because plausibly it would hardly take 15 seconds to pull the hand brake, get down, open the gate, and drive away.

Now he pulled his window panes and started shouting ‘Security, security ….’

The entire drama of honking and shouting went on for another 3 minutes. I could not hold back anymore – I put on my slippers and went down, by then the car just passed out of the gate. The poor security guy had come running all the way to just open the gate. I gave a cross look and said – “He could have opened it himself, what’s the big deal in it”. His straight-faced response was – “There are very few who think we are humans too. “

Honestly, I felt bad for both. How thoughtless & inconsiderate of the white sedan driver and how indifferent one behaves with people involved in what we term as menial jobs.

While I took the stairs back home – a thought passed by: How can you open the gate in front of you if you have your gates closed from within.

Fountainhead Series: "If they can’t manage vegetables, I wonder how will they manage their lives"

It was late night by 9:30pm and I was walking down to my place, there I saw a vegetable hand cart with tomatoes and few more fresh veggies.  Picked up and then pulled my cotton bag and held in front.

He saw my face and said – Wish everyone can get a bag like this, there is no need to use plastic covers.

I was taken a back from his statement and asked, you seem to be nature friendly person, and said don’t give plastic covers.

“We don’t want to give it, but people who come here need it, if I don’t give it, they will go to another place to buy, and my livelihood depends on everyday’s earning.

Hmmm. That’s a valid point, I said. Wish everyone has little bit of knowledge like you.

All I know is plastic does not mix with soil and animals eat it as well and it is harmful for us too after a point.  I don’t mind giving one plastic cover, there are people who will ask to put five varities in five different covers. They say they cannot go home and manage it. All five covers directly get into fridge as is, as they have no time to separate it.

If they can’t manage vegetables, I wonder how will they manage their lives.

His statements made me think while walking back home – his compassion towards nature, and his last statement left me pondering.

This is Mani – vegetable hand cart vendor. He can be seen little ahead of Katriguppe circle(BLR) near the curve on the left of the road as we head to Vidyapeeta circle. 

Fountainhead Series