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Memoirs in black and white

Last Updated 21 May 2017, 18:49 IST

This photograph was taken in 1961 in Malleswaram after the wedding of my brother-in-law K Gopal with Bhagirathi. In those days, weddings were simple but memorable and were usually held at the bride’s place. The backdrop in the picture is our ancestral house.

We are all descendants of Maralawadi Sri Krishna Bhat, a famous ‘purohit’ in Malleswaram and also my paternal uncle. I completed my BSc from Maharani College in 1953. We would walk from our house in Malleswaram as public transport was neither easily available nor could we afford it. After graduation, in 1956, I got married to K Satyanarayana, second son of Krishna Bhat. My husband was working as a resident engineer in Gammon India Limited, associated with the construction of dams and aqueducts, hence we started our married life in dreaded places like Chambal and Lakhisarai. My married life lasted only seven years, as my husband passed away in 1963. I was 31 with two kids aged six and three years. My third son was born after a month.

I started working at Bangalore Education Society as headmistress. The support received from my parents N V Narayan and Janakamma was immeasurable. In 1972, I opted for a government job and joined Bharati Vidyashala High school, Avenue Road, working there till 1992. Meanwhile I also did my BEd from MES Teachers College in 1968 and postgraduation in philosophy from Karnataka University, Dharwad, in 1972.

Malleswaram and Basavanagudi are the two old localities in Bengaluru, which led famous writer R K Narayan to coin the word ‘Malgudi’ in his works. Sampige, Margosa and Coconut Avenue Roads, named after the canopy of trees which once existed, continue to be the main attractions. But the once peaceful Malleswaram has now become a big business hub.

The old big bungalows have paved way for huge apartment complexes. The 18th Cross bus stop, which was a terminus, now wears a deserted look. In 2015, the Malleswaram Residents Welfare Association brought out a commemorative volume, highlighting the contributions of eminent people in various fields. The Kadu Malleswara Temple after which the locality is named attracts huge crowds on Shivarathri every year, even today.


Presently, I am serving as the president of Malleswaram Senior Citizens Forum, planning activities, health camps and excursions for senior citizens. The members meet on the last Sunday of every month.
All my children are well-settled and I consider myself fortunate to have witnessed the wedding of my eldest granddaughter.

Whenever I look at the old photographs, I am filled with emotion. No matter which technology may come, nothing can beat the charm of black and white photography.

(The author can be contacted at lathashashidhar@gmail.com)

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(Published 21 May 2017, 16:13 IST)

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