Malleswaram is a heritage neighbourhood of Bangalore that was planned more than 125 years ago in response to an outbreak of plague that swept across the city in the late 19th century. While plans to decongest the old ‘pete’ were already in the works, the impetus to develop them with urgency was brought on by the epidemic. 

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At that time, Malleswaram was a modern locality planned on a grid iron layout, with wide roads and large plots. It accommodated all communities and functions. Over time, it was slowly populated by senior civil servants, educationists, artists, writers, musicians and dancers, and with such illustrious residents, Malleswaram naturally became a bastion of tradition and culture. The development of parks, educational institutions, religious and cultural landmarks and market areas within the locality, made it a self-sufficient and salubrious neighbourhood. Through the years, despite sweeping physical changes and deterioration that affected it as much as other parts of the city, it continues to occupy a special place in the minds and hearts of every old Banglorean. 

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Our shared history reposes in places like Malleswaram. There is a vast and rich legacy that lies untapped here. This website is an attempt to document Malleswaram’s history and create a repository that can be accessed freely by the inheritors and the guardians of this heritage. Through the website, we aim to create a continuing digital archive and interactive platform for the cultural, social, ecological and architectural legacy of Malleswaram. The website aims to capture its architectural and ecological heritage, and represent its oral histories - including subaltern voices that are normally not represented. 

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The yearlong engagement has consisted of:

1. Primary data gathering : From archives, gazettes and newspapers

2. Secondary Data Gathering : From oral histories of residents, visitors, workers, shop owners, vendors, and others

3. Artistic engagements : Story collection exercises, heritage walks, mapping exercises, photo essay

In the future, the website will continue to add to the documentation and become a voice for the neighbourhood, so that it remains relevant to all the constituencies it serves.

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(This project was implemented under Project 560 – Arts Projects program of the India Foundation for the Arts.)