Bangalore city is like a huge tome of history. However, it is subject to ravages of time, human assault, apathy and neglect. Let me begin this saga, with the sad story of water sluices of Kempambudhi Tank of Kempegowda Nagara in South Bangalore.
Ascribed to the period of Kempe Gowda I, Kempambudhi is one of the very few huge tanks of the city. Fortunately, it is not completely engulfed by the demon called urbanization. Though not in its original grandeur or vastness, it has been able to withstand the ravages of time. Many elders of the locality recall that it was popular as Moti Talab as one could see any object thrown could be seen going down due to crystal clear water of the tank.
Kempambudhi was not just a water body. It has been part of several historical events. Sri Vemagal Somashekar, one of the few elderly historians of the city has made an in-depth study of this water source. He writes that a Swimming Association called Dolphin Swimming Club was formed in 1921 by Scout Headquarters. The club conducted swimming classes in Kempambudhi tank which was then known for depth and clean water. People were trained irrespective of their age and sex. Patrons made a contribution of Rs. 2 per month, members gave Rs one! In addition to general public, many luminaries were also associated with this organization.
Bhyramma, a nine year old girl who was a student of the club, had set a very rare record by swimming 12 hours at a stretch on 22.4.1934.
Again she broke her own record by swimming for 18 hours on May 19 and 20, 1934. This was not only the talk of the state but was reported by newspapers even in England.
On the southern bank of the lake was a house like structure for swimmers to change into their swimming costumes, or to watch others swimming. To the left of this building was about twenty feet long spring board to take a dive into the lake. Even today, the building and two strong iron girdles which supported the spring board could be seen. Both are abandoned and stand as testimony for many more such great events that brought laurels to the city.
Little away, to the right of this edifice, were two sluices positioned at different heights at a distance of about twenty feet. They form another chapter in the annals of this once great lake. The twin monuments were not only water outlets, but are built artistically with beautiful relief figures at the top. They also reveal the advanced irrigational techniques adopted in the city, several centuries back.
Each outlet has four tall stone pillars. In the inner portion of the roof, to the centre, is a hole. About five feet above the ground, attached to the pillars, is a thick stone slab with a hole in the centre. Below this, on the ground, is a circular pit. The pit, the hole in the stone slab and the hole in the roof are all in a straight line. Perhaps, an iron rod like devise used to be put through these holes with one end attached at the roof and the other end to a valve. The upward and downward movement regulated the flow of the water.
Both the sluices with the same technical arrangement were inter-connected with underground tunnels. From the first outlet at the lower level of the tank, starts a lengthier tunnel running diagonally towards the tank bund. Another such tunnel starts from an outlet located higher, and runs to the tank bund and perhaps both meet at a point, to run as one unit. The purpose was to let the water flow into the fields from the first tunnel when inflow was less, and if the flow was heavy perhaps both the outlets were in use.
About two decades ago, when I studied these two sluices, I could see only some portions of both the tunnels. When I made a documentary on this tank, in 2013, we showed the technology involved in the functioning of these two sluices and tunnels through graphics. When we removed the thick weed cover, we saw that the tunnels had a thick coating of mud. As on June 4, 2019, there’s a thick weed covering, making it impossible to go close.
About six decades ago, the insanitary condition of the Kempambudhi had become a big issue to the then Government. At that time, Sir Mirza Ismail had said: “I will soon make it a beauty spot.” Though such projects were undertaken time and again, subsequent follow up attempts to retain the improvements made have not been effective.
Thus, again in 1985 and 1998 such revival attempts were undertaken. The recent such attempt done was in 2018, prior to the State Assembly elections. Fortunately, this time a walking path has been laid around the lake bordered with some plants. Though, as of now, some water could be seen in the Kempambudhi, it is not completely devoid of stinking smell.
Even now, the area around the tunnels should be cleared so that they are visible. A plaque giving the history of all these heritage structures is equally essential and it should be declared as a protected monument.
sureshmoona@gmail.com
