Teacher and lifelong resident of Malleswaram

Knowing Every Corner

I'm Rama Bhat, born and brought up in Malleswaram—on 8th Cross, to be precise. Of course, like many others here, I was born in K.C. General Hospital. We lived right there on 8th Cross, and I've known every corner of Malleswaram since childhood—every road, inch by inch.

My friends often tease me, saying, "Rama, when you walk through Malleswaram, you stop at every step to talk to someone! It's impossible to walk with you." And it's true, this place is filled with people I've known all my life. It's not just a neighborhood. It's home.

Education and Leadership

I studied at the Government Girls' High School, not the one on 13th Cross, but the earlier one that was on 4th Main before it moved. Later, I went to MES College, and eventually, I completed my post-graduation from Bangalore University.

My sister's marriage was held at Ubhaya Vedantha Choultry, the only good choultry in Malleswaram back then. At the time, I was a Girl Guide leader with the Chamundi Scout Group. For the wedding, I brought 200 children along and made sure they were all looked after and enjoyed the celebrations thoroughly! It was such a joyful, lively event.

The Malleswaram We Ran Through

When I look back and compare the Malleswaram of my youth with what it's become now, I do feel a little sad. In those days, the streets were lined with beautiful trees on both sides. We never walked—only ran! We played under the shade, laughed, and explored. We visited temples every day—Rama Mandira, Kanika Parameswari Devasthana, Krishna Devasthana—not always out of devotion, but to eat the prasadam! It was so pure, so delicious. A treat we looked forward to.

There was also a government hospital on this road. Back then, if we fell sick, we'd go there ourselves, get the medicine, drink it then and there, and come home. We never even told our families we were unwell.

The market you see today didn't exist then. The old market was on another road. We used to buy fresh vegetables, snacks, and immediately get back to playing—nothing else mattered.

A Feeling, Not Just a Name

Malleswaram isn't just a name. It's a feeling. Just saying the word Mall-es-waram takes us somewhere deep in our hearts. It's that kind of place. For us, Malleswaram truly is "home, sweet home." We can't adjust anywhere else. Born here, brought up here, studied here, and worked here too. I taught at BP Indian High School. This place is everything to me, I plan to die here too!

Malleswaram has been, and always will be, the heart of my life.