Rising up in a metropolis like Agra, the place a bit of residing historical past awaits at each flip, shifting 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 after 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 avoid wasting 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, guaranteeing 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 stunning and disheartening that many residents of town are unaware of the presence of heritage buildings. These constructions, 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 constructions 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 matters associated to forests and science. “I maintain a PhD in forest ecology and spent a while within the US. Once I returned to India, I initially pursued freelance writing earlier than discovering my true ardour for heritage preservation,” she recollects.

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 understanding on-line about its historical past and heritage. This 18th century constructing is steadily fading into obscurity, shedding within the particles of time,” she says. 

“The importance of this place isn’t solely historic but additionally architectural. In some other nation on the earth, 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 avoid wasting as many heritage buildings as potential, in 2007 she joined INTACH. 

“That realisation grew to become the catalyst for me to get entangled. There are numerous such missed locations, however this one, particularly, was a serious turning level. Visiting these areas, and particularly discovering an entire absence of knowledge on web site, fueled my dedication to take motion,” she says. 

Discovering town via a historic lens

Talking on the subject of what actually constitutes historical past within the eyes of individuals, Meera feedback, “There are literally thousands 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 should be a solution to doc and lift consciousness about these websites in order that extra of our historical past might be retained.”

At INTACH’s Bengaluru Chapter, Meera knowledgeable they cowl largely two features of heritage preservation. “First, we host heritage walks to familiarise folks with their metropolis’s heritage. Our walks primarily give attention to the local people, focusing on the residents of town. Whereas we do welcome vacationers and travellers, our emphasis on partaking 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 purpose is to make sure that folks from all walks of life are acquainted with town.”

Meera initiated outreach efforts via the publication of a guide 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 challenge,” she says. 

“Now we have labored on a number of tasks within the years up to now. Each constructing that we restore turns into an necessary a part of our routines. It is vitally laborious to revive a constructing and preserve its historical past and heritage intact. It’s one thing that wants endurance and a pair of delicate arms,” she says. 

Up to now years, they’ve restored buildings in and round Bengaluru similar to Mayo Corridor, Tipu’s Armoury, Gangubai Hangal, Museum, the Outdated 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 Good Metropolis initiative. One is the Authorities Center College, and the opposite is the Shimoga Company constructing, each accomplished final 12 months. At present, 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 in regards to the varied difficulties her group faces she says, “We face quite a few points, with funding being the most important hurdle. The federal government doesn’t constantly allocate funds to us, compelling us to hunt help from non-public sources. Nonetheless, securing funding from non-public entities is kind of difficult since not many are inclined to spend money on in depth restoration tasks. Though a number of corporations have CSR funds, these funds sometimes prioritise tasks associated to well being, girls, and youngsters.”

“The disinterest in preserving this heritage can also be as a result of, for many individuals, the thought of heritage is a fort or a temple,” she provides. “Nonetheless, we have now 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 subject that Meera brings up in our dialog is the shortage of stringent preservation guidelines in Bengaluru. 

Discussing the scenario in locations like Mumbai, significantly 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 identical idea, town lacks an efficient implementing company. In sensible phrases, we don’t possess a sturdy regulatory framework for heritage safety in Bengaluru. This poses a major subject and a substantial problem.”

“Moreover consciousness and restoration, we’re all the time attempting to work with the federal government to try to get them to do one thing about getting heritage laws,” she notes. 

Speaking in regards to the future, Meera says, “My final purpose is to search out myself with no job. This state of affairs signifies the proper scenario the place heritage is totally protected, and the group as an entire is deeply invested in its preservation. In such a really perfect state, there wouldn’t be a necessity for an lively position in heritage safety anymore. Whereas the realisation of this purpose could also be unsure and never fast, it stays a major aspiration.”

You’ll find INTACH Bengaluru chapter work right here. 

(Edited by Padmashree Pande)