BENGALURU: The residents of Chamrajpet are in a celebratory mood as their locality is close to celebrating 125th anniversary since its formation.
A two-day cultural extravaganza has been lined up from January 28 and dignitaries from Mysuru royal family, including Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, his mother Pramoda Devi will take part.
According to historian Suresh Moona, "The celebration is really unique because it is the first systematically formed extension out of old Bangalore in 1892. The formation was progressive with 5 main roads and 9 cross roads representing a grid or chess board."
Moona's 200-page book titled Chamarajpete Darshana will be released during the celebration. In his book, Moona has dealt in detail on the history of Chamrajpet, how it evolved, the changes it witnessed including the history of prominent landmarks like Tippu Summer Palace, Kote Venkatarama Temple, St Luke's Church, Idgah Maidan, Minto Hospital, Prakash Cafe, Karnataka Sanskrit University, Kannada Sahitya Parishat etc.
Tipu Palace in Chamrajpet
His book also deals with the contribution of women for the development of the area including Makkal Koota found by Kalyanamma, Sharada Stree Samaja, Karnataka Mahila Hindi Seva Samithi.
When asked what has not changed since the formation of Chamrajpet, Moona said, "The original flavour of Bengaluru can be still seen in Chamrajpet. Even today people from other areas come to purchase plantain leaves in the area. Adding to the flavour is the communal harmony in the area."
On one significant thing which has changed, Moona said most of the 'vattaras' or 'line houses' in the area has given way for modern buildings.
Providing details about the celebration, K. Rajakumar, president, Celebration Committee of Chamrajpet said, "First day will witnesss procession around the area by 25 teams of artistes. Mysuru royal family will be taken on silver chariot to the function venue Kote High School after their special pooja at Kote Venkataramana Temple."
On the second day a symposium on Chamrajpet will be held. People from Chamrajpet, who have contributed to the society, will be felicitated, he added.
Stone block inscription
As part of the anniversary, a stone block measuring six feet height and 2.5 feet length will be installed at a corner of Shivashankar Circle. "Artists from Shivarapatna have already started working on the stone block. It will mentioned that Chamrajpet celebrated its 125th anniversary along with people," Rajakumar said.
125 saplings to be planted
The celebration team has planned to plant 125 trees which will be adopted and maintained by the citizens.
Thanking royal family
As a note of expressing thanks to the Mysuru royal family, whose ruler Chamarajendra Wadiyar X developed the Chamrajpet (which is named after him), renowned singer Kasturi Shankar will sing the Dasimayya vachana-Ile nimma dana, bele nimma dana, thanking the royal family for gifting Chamrajpet to people.
