These are your roads, these are your areas, this is your city, as you pass by it remains to narrate its stories, loud and clear. But, most of us either don’t head to it or ignore it.
We would perish, but it remains with its glory, telling its stories for decades. Such are the stories of places around.
Let’s go for another walk listening to some more interesting stories from the voice of this city.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL): Took its inception as the Hindustan Aircraft Limited which was incorporated on December 1940 at Bangalore by Shri Walchand Hirachand a provident intellectual in association with the Government of Mysore. During March 1941, Govt of India became one of the key shareholders of this company. There were aircrafts that were manufactured before independence. During August 1963, Aeronautics India Limited (AIL) was incorporated as a Company wholly owned by the Government of India to undertake the manufacture of the MIG-21 aircraft. Two companies i.e. Hindustan Aircraft Limited and Aeronautics India Limited was merged officially on October 1st, 1964 by an amalgamation order issued by the Government of India and the Company thereby was named as "Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)"
Marathahalli: Attached to HAL, another momentous story emerges for Marathahalli. There was this HF-24 Jetfighter ‘Marut’ which was designed and assembled at HAL, unfortunately, crash landed in this piece of land. And the word ‘halli’ meaning village in kannada, was joint to be getting recognized after this incident, and even today we continue to call its name in its tribute.
Kodigehalli: Most of us know that Bangalore was colloquially known as ‘Bendha Kallooru” (Village of boiled beans). Kodigehalli has its roots here.
The well documented political history starts with Kempegowda, but Bangalore does have its deep roots since ages of Gangas, Cholas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagara Kingdom and Mysore Wodeyars too.
While Veera Ballala II, a Hoysala king was fed by an old woman here at today’s Kodigehalli and in return he gifts her this village and so-called ‘kodige’ in kannada meant ‘gift’ and this area still has its nice people around with same warmth.
Domlur: Drive down towards MG Road from Marathahalli, you will have to pass through Domlur. Previously called as Bhagat Singh nagar today is popular with its name as Domlur and it is believed that this locality was full of white bearing flowers called ‘Thumbe/Tombe’ which was devoted to worship Lord Shiva. Tombe+Ooru in decades took its name as Domlur. Another folklore story of being a mosquito village also gets attached to Domlur, but its lineage remains hidden.
Ulsoor: It was Halasuru meaning ‘Halasina Ooru’ was famous for its jackfruit orchard colloquially became popular as Ulsoor, but Halasuru as well exists with many today.
NR Colony: Created during the early 1950s this entire area was named after the then Mysore Wodeyar Sri Narasimharaja.
Thyagarajanagar: While there were umpteen temples in and around this area and there were regular classical music programs which were held, and this expanse was named after the most prolific & celebrated classical music composer ‘Thyagaraja’.
Jayanagar: Meaning ‘Victory City’ has one of the popular histories attached with the then Maharaja of Mysore Sri Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar. One of the finest and first planned neighborhoods in Bangalore was efficiently designed and largest in Asia during 1948.
Majestic: As the center of the city for transport and standing pretty majestic as well, this belt received its name because of the famous cinema theatre in the region called Majestic. Today’s bus station terminal was built on Dharmambudhi Lake which dried during the famine that stuck in 1892-93 with monsoon failing during subsequent years.
Vidyaranyapura: Formed during the 1970s is believed to be a battlefield then because of few relics that were found in this stretch. It is named after an eminent saint, philosopher and poet Vidyaranya who is considered to be a kingmaker and key element in the establishment of Vijayanagara kingdom.
Jayanagar T-Block: Ever wondered what ‘T’ is here! This is one of the classic examples of consideration and reverence we had from times immemorial. This belt was formerly called ‘Thayapanahalli’. While it was merged & renamed as Jayanagar, we retained ‘T’ in between in honor of locals there and called it as Jayanagar T-Block.
Quick Bites:
· Vishweshwarapuram was named after Sir. MV was established in 1918.
· Shankarapuram came into existence is 1908 and is named after Shankara Mutt which is in the same vicinity.
· Basaveshwaranagar is named after prominent poet Basaveshwara.
· Cooke Town is named after G H Cooke, the then President of the Bangalore Civil and Municipality between 1928-1934. Mayo Hall was constructed during his tenure.
· Mayo Hall was built in honor of Lord Mayo, the 4th Viceroy of India. It was inaugurated by a British resident in June 1883.
· Coles Park came from British resident Arthur Cole.
· Hutchins Road is named after Chief Engineer of Mysore, MC Hutchins who was responsible for water supply to major parts of this city.
· Pulakeshinagar formerly the Fraser Town was named after Sir Stuart Fraser, the scholar who was a tutor of Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar.
· RPC Layout is Railway Parallel Colony is now Hampi nagar got its name because it ran parallel to the railway track.
· JC Road is named after Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar.
· KH Road is named after Kengal Hanumanthaiah, 2nd Chief Minister of Karnataka and is fondly remembered to have contributed for the construction of Vidhana Soudha.
The list never ends. Every area of Bangalore has a lot of stories to narrate, resonating its beautiful history.
Feels like – we see Bangalore just as city reverberating with life, traffic, IT industry and people around everywhere.
But, as I go deep into every corner, road, region – its span of expanse gets spread immensely expressing its untold & unheard stories. Wish it had a life just like us to tell us its tales and about legends who contributed to what it is today.
