Santosh Mahale is a management consultant and artist based at Melbourne, although he grew up in Bangalore. His journey and recent foray into art, wrapped around his memories of Bangalore, is a unique and fascinating exploration. His exhibition is at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishad from 20 Nov to 1 Dec 2024
This is what he shares ...
Birdseye Bangalore - Capturing the memories of Bangalore on canvas
Growing up in late-80s and early-90s Bangalore, I witnessed a city that has since transformed in countless ways. Today, living far from my hometown, I return as a visitor, each time struck by how much Bangalore has evolved. With each visit, my desire to capture the simple joys of the past grows stronger. In the Bangalore of my childhood, life was marked by spontaneity and accessibility—you could move across town without a second thought, and public spaces like Vidhana Soudha felt like familiar playgrounds. In those days, landmarks like Mayo Hall and Cash Pharmacy served as navigation and meeting points, each with a distinct character etched forever in memory. MG Road had its own charm, lined with stately heritage buildings that gave the area a signature look.
Many of my memories are also tied to nature—the thrill of bursting African tulip buds, the marvel of watching helicopter seeds twirl to the ground, the playful encounters with “kambali poochi” caterpillars after the rains, and the gentle presence of house sparrows that often found their way into our homes. These were small yet treasured experiences woven into Bangalore’s rhythm and identity.
With each return to Bangalore, I’m reminded of the city’s transformation and my connection to its earlier essence. The landscapes of memory and reality sometimes contrast sharply: landmarks like Cash Pharmacy, Krishna Bhavan, and Krumbeigel Hall in Lalbagh have disappeared, while others, like Mayo Hall, now painted red rather than its original white, have changed in ways that alter their identity. Extensions and unstructured developments around heritage properties shift how these places feel, sometimes erasing aspects of their unique character.
Inspired by nostalgia and a desire to document these memories, I chose to celebrate what old Bangalore meant to me through my paintings. Through Birdseye Bangalore, I invite others to join this journey—revisiting places that defined Bangalore and discovering the beauty within its evolving story.
Each piece in this collection reflects the emotions I felt during its creation, from joy to quiet reflection. At a deeper level, I hope these works bring attention to the finer details—the shapes, patterns, and textures that hold the city’s stories. By highlighting these elements, I aspire to spark awareness and appreciation, encouraging us all to recognize and preserve Bangalore’s heritage and identity for future generations.
Heritage Beku hosts a discussion with artist Santosh Mahale via a zoom call to share these ideas and his unique journey on 10th Nov at 5pm.. Please do join as we explore the paths that the artist and our city has taken.. His exhibition will be between 20 Nov and 1 Dec at Chitrakala Parishad.
The Bangalore gallery will showcase his main piece which will be 7 feet height and 8 feet width. This will have 39 smaller pieces joined together to form the map of Greater Bangalore. One of the artworks will be Lalbagh where he has now included Krumbeigel Hall following a discussion with the Heritage Beku team. .
Greener and Bluer Bangalore
“Greener and Bluer Bangalore” is an installation composed of 39 smaller canvases that together outline the Greater Bangalore Municipal Corporation area, illustrating the city’s remarkable growth. From the four Kempegowda watch towers built in 1597 to today’s population of 8.4 million, Bangalore’s boundaries have expanded more than tenfold in just six decades.
This growth, while indicative of progress, raises concerns about the impact on the city’s green spaces and heritage buildings. The deliberate enlargement of the lakes and green spaces in this artwork invites viewers to consider their shrinking presence in the urban landscape, suggesting a vision for the future where these vital natural areas are not only preserved but also enhanced.
Local landmarks associated with green spaces, such as the Indian Institute of Science, IIM Bangalore, and the Westend and Windsor Manor hotels, are incorporated into the piece, providing familiar context for viewers amidst the city’s rapid transformation. Additionally, historical elements like the sluice gates at Kempambudhi Lake, hero stones from Begur and Hebbal, and the erstwhile Krumbeigel Hall in Lalbagh not only act as geographical markers but also serve as poignant reminders of the rich heritage and history that coexist with the modern identity of Bangalore.
Through this work, the artist hopes to spark conversations about conscious urban development, emphasizing the need to protect both the city’s natural environments and its man-made treasures. This installation encourages a forward-looking vision that fosters change and growth, inspiring viewers to imagine a Bangalore that balances development with the preservation of its cultural heritage.
