Bengaluru: The name takes one back to history books in school, to the chapters that spoke of India’s independence struggle. The 108-year-old Theosophical Society is easily one of the oldest literary groups in the city.
Their universal principle being spreading true spiritualism that transcends all religions, the society that has been ingrained into the city’s cultural fabric ever since its inception in 1909. Unfortunately, it is slowly falling apart. The Malleswaram branch, which is one of the bigger branches of the four in the city, had to be demolished recently because it had become decrepit and unsafe.
The building has an illustrious history, said Manorama Mehta, President of the Malleswaram branch. “The building itself was about a 100 years old and the foundation stone was laid by Dr Annie Besant. The building had been a witness of the history of southern India, of a time when we didn’t have independence for ourselves. It is disheartening that it couldn’t stand the test of time.” The Society sustains on funds from the members and grants and has no income of its own. “The Society has survived through the years from donations from the community, but unfortunately they are dwindling. The membership fee is nominal and raising it would make it inaccessible, we fear,” she said. It is currently Rs 100, which was raised about two decades ago from fifty. “We need to raise about Rs 50 lakh for the complete renovation. It may look like a large sum, but the value attached is greater and we hope that people realize that,” Mehta said.
The cost of the building includes one hall, library, toilet, kitchen and lecture rooms. As a part of the fundraising process the Society is organising two back-to-back concerts.
The first one called Sunheri Yadein, which a musical extravaganza featuring the renowned voice of Anil Bajpai, who will be presenting some of the Mohammad Rafi’s classics from yesteryears. Singing with him will be playback singers Samanvitha Sharma and Govind Kurnool and the music will be by Pradeep Patkar and team. The second performance will be by city based Bharatnatyam dancer Satyanarayana Raju called Ramkatha. Both performances will be held on March 25 at Chowdiah Memorial Hall.
There is a need to make citizens aware of this heritage, particularly the younger generation, she added. “Never have we ever had to raise funds for the Society, but times are changing. Societies like these are important at this time, especially with all the communal culture the youth is being fed on a daily basis, to remind them that religion began with knowledge and logic and that is how it should be.”
