It was the summer of 1938 and the place was Shimoga. I was thirteen years old and had just cleared my first public exam of the lower secondary. I was eagerly looking forward to the next step — education at a high school.
My expectation turned into elation when my dad, a teacher, told the family that he was being transferred from the Government High School, Shimoga, to the Government High School, Fort Bangalore. I would soon be a resident of a city which was considered the city of joy! On our arrival, we settled down at our new home at V.V. Puram.
From the first day, I started wandering around this nice locality. The hub of V.V Puram's activities was the Sajjan Rao Circle, which was named after the noted philanthropist of that time.
He and another worthy, Kota Kamakshyya Shetty, are said to have founded the two magnificent temples — Sri Subramanyeshwara Swamy Devasthana and the Sri Lakshmi Venkateshwara Swamy Devasthana.
World War II
The general atmosphere, the lung space (which is conspicuously absent today), well laid out roads, avenues and boulevards, efficient administrative machinery and a peace-loving people made Bangalore a city of joy.
This, despite the dark clouds of World War II which were gathering in parts of Europe. The British rule in India had developed cold feet as the great ‘Independence movement' was gathering momentum. Its impact on Bangaloreans increased in the years that followed. Though difficult, the situation was still tolerable.
This was the scenario when I entered the Fort High School in 1938, after the summer vacation. However, no period in history has been free from a touch of madness. In fact, some method in madness helps.
Fort High School
Everything about the school, including its central location, vast sports field, close proximity to residential locations, other government institutions, relics of the past, ancient and popular places of worship, the city market and the Victoria Hospital, only added to its charm. It was a lively area. I had a burning desire to see Bangalore in its entirety. Of all the places I saw, the ‘Eden Garden' of Bangalore, Lalbagh, became my first love. Early morning walks were particularly pleasant. Like a pilgrim seeking eternal bliss, I used to get lost among the flora, the chirpy birds and the varied smells. Time appeared to stand still.
(The octogenarian writer is the former senior technical executive of Tata Steel)
