Rising up in a metropolis like Agra, the place a chunk of dwelling historical past awaits at each flip, transferring to the startup hub of India—Bengaluru—was an odd feeling. As a self-proclaimed historical past fanatic, I discovered myself lacking the presence of heritage within the metropolis. This modified once I related with different historical past lovers in Bengaluru, discovering that there’s a wealthy historical past tucked away in some hidden spots.
Throughout town, many individuals have been organising heritage walks and preservation drives to save lots of this hidden cultural wealth. One such particular person is Meera Iyer, who has devoted greater than a decade of her life to discovering and restoring unexplored heritage buildings, making certain they’re preserved for future generations.
The 53-year-old labored as a contract author earlier than she determined to affix INTACH (Indian Nationwide Belief for Artwork and Cultural Heritage), a non-profit charitable organisation devoted to the conservation of unprotected architectural heritage throughout India, to protect Bengaluru’s forgotten heritage.
“It’s each surprising and disheartening that many residents of town are unaware of the presence of heritage buildings. These buildings, some courting again a whole lot of years, are slipping into obscurity with nobody to protect their historic significance,” Meera Iyer, the convenor of INTACH tells The Higher India.
For the love of town and its heritage
Raised in Bengaluru, Meera has all the time harboured a eager curiosity in exploring town’s wealthy heritage. “I used to go to many lesser-known buildings across the metropolis. As an fanatic, I loved uncovering these hidden gems and had all the time aspired to make a significant contribution,” she says.
Earlier than becoming a member of INTACH, Meera labored as a contract author, specializing in subjects associated to forests and science. “I maintain a PhD in forest ecology and spent a while within the US. After I returned to India, I initially pursued freelance writing earlier than discovering my true ardour for heritage preservation,” she remembers.
A pivotal second that redirected her profession path was a go to to Devanahalli Fort. “Throughout my go to, I realised that there was a lack of knowledge on-line about its historical past and heritage. This 18th century constructing is regularly fading into obscurity, shedding within the particles of time,” she says.
“The importance of this place shouldn’t be solely historic but additionally architectural. In some other nation on the planet, there would have been folks passionately advocating for its recognition, however right here, it was as if nobody even knew about it,” she provides.
With the dedication to save lots of as many heritage buildings as doable, in 2007 she joined INTACH.
“That realisation turned the catalyst for me to become involved. There are a lot of such neglected locations, however this one, specifically, was a significant turning level. Visiting these areas, and particularly discovering an entire absence of data on web site, fueled my dedication to take motion,” she says.
Discovering town by way of a historic lens
Talking on the subject of what really constitutes historical past within the eyes of individuals, Meera feedback, “There are millions of monuments within the nation protected by the ASI. Nonetheless, there are additionally small temples, buildings, faculties, and houses that maintain historic significance. The problem lies in preserving them. I perceive that it’s not possible to guard each fragment of the previous, however there have to be a option to doc and lift consciousness about these websites in order that extra of our historical past will be retained.”
At INTACH’s Bengaluru Chapter, Meera knowledgeable they cowl largely two facets of heritage preservation. “First, we host heritage walks to familiarise folks with their metropolis’s heritage. Our walks primarily deal with the area people, concentrating on the residents of town. Whereas we do welcome vacationers and travellers, our emphasis on participating the native inhabitants is obvious. This dedication is mirrored, for example, in being one of many few organisations within the metropolis that conducts walks within the native language, Kannada. Our objective is to make sure that folks from all walks of life are acquainted with town.”
Meera initiated outreach efforts by way of the publication of a e book referred to as, ‘Discovering Bengaluru’. It delves into the historical past and evolution of 9 older neighbourhoods within the metropolis.
She says, “It’s a assortment of 11 fiction tales set in Bangalore, incorporating historic parts like time journey and narratives spanning varied eras, was launched. These literary works contribute to our outreach efforts, aiming to attach with a broader viewers.”
The group has achieved a whole lot of heritage walks within the native language.
The second half is the place the organisation is definitely engaged on the conservation of heritage, the precise conservation and restoration of buildings. “The group at INTACH begins from on the lookout for a potential constructing, then securing funding after which discovering architects and engineers that are perfect for the venture,” she says.
“We now have labored on a number of tasks within the years to date. Each constructing that we restore turns into an vital a part of our routines. It is extremely laborious to revive a constructing and hold its historical past and heritage intact. It’s one thing that wants endurance and a pair of delicate palms,” she says.
Prior to now years, they’ve restored buildings in and round Bengaluru reminiscent of Mayo Corridor, Tipu’s Armoury, Gangubai Hangal, Museum, the Previous OPD Constructing at NIMHANS which is now a museum, the Oriental Analysis Institute in Mysuru amongst others.
“We’ve been concerned within the building of two buildings in Shimoga for the Shimoga Sensible Metropolis initiative. One is the Authorities Center College, and the opposite is the Shimoga Company constructing, each accomplished final yr. At the moment, our focus is on the continuing tasks, together with Mani Villas, the institute, and a prepare station referred to as Nandi Halt,” she provides.
Speaking concerning the varied difficulties her group faces she says, “We face quite a few points, with funding being the main hurdle. The federal government doesn’t persistently allocate funds to us, compelling us to hunt help from personal sources. Nonetheless, securing funding from personal entities is sort of difficult since not many are inclined to spend money on intensive restoration tasks. Though a number of firms have CSR funds, these funds usually prioritise tasks associated to well being, girls, and kids.”
“The disinterest in preserving this heritage can be as a result of, for many individuals, the concept of heritage is a fort or a temple,” she provides. “Nonetheless, we’ve been fortunate sufficient to in some way discover enthusiastic people eager to contribute in addition to authorities funding right here and there to outlive.
One other difficulty that Meera brings up in our dialog is the dearth of stringent preservation guidelines in Bengaluru.
Discussing the scenario in locations like Mumbai, notably South Bombay and the Colaba space, she notes, “Many buildings there have been formally declared protected and designated as heritage by the Metropolis of Bombay. In distinction, in Bengaluru, though we theoretically have an analogous idea, town lacks an efficient implementing company. In sensible phrases, we don’t possess a strong regulatory framework for heritage safety in Bengaluru. This poses a major difficulty and a substantial problem.”
“In addition to consciousness and restoration, we’re all the time attempting to work with the federal government to attempt to get them to do one thing about getting heritage laws,” she notes.
Speaking concerning the future, Meera says, “My final objective is to search out myself with out a job. This situation signifies the proper scenario the place heritage is totally protected, and the neighborhood as an entire is deeply invested in its preservation. In such an excellent state, there wouldn’t be a necessity for an energetic function in heritage safety anymore. Whereas the realisation of this objective could also be unsure and never quick, it stays a major aspiration.”
You’ll find INTACH Bengaluru chapter work right here.
(Edited by Padmashree Pande)