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Priya Chetty Rajagopal
May 19, 20233 min read

18 May 2023 - International Museum Day with #HeritageBeku

Facebook Event & Placeholder for event to celebrate International Museum Day with #HeritageBeku

Are we forgetting or ignoring these important institutions? Museums are such a critical partner for storing, preserving and showcasing our history and heritage. Let’s discover the ones we have, the ones we forget, and the ones we need.

Many museums threw open their doors to the public with free entry ...

Please do go visit!


Listen to my quick review on the eve of Museum Day ..






 

Walk and Event with Karnataka Government Museum and Heritage Dept


Kavyasree Asst Heritage Director . organised this at short notice. The 7.30 am Museum and Cubbon Park walk was led by #HeritageBeku member Dr Githa Badlikaya of Destination Heritage with ADGP Police Arun and the Commr Archaeology ,

Over 40 Students from Govt Arts & Science College and others attended .



 

Online Discussion with Ganesh Shivaswamy on Museums - Past Present and (is there a) Future..


There was a special focus on the Raja Ravi Varma Collection..


In a freewheeling conversation with Priya Chetty-Rajagopal about museums on International Museum Day, lawyer, author & historian Ganesh Shivaswamy, holds forth on democratization and digitisation of the museum experience, the iconic artist Raja Ravi Varma, the inspiration for the six volume book he authored, the Google Arts & Culture experience, the surprising impact of Ravi Varma's art on changing laws, ending with the moot issue of repatriation of art. Interesting side chats on what a lawyers like him is doing in the world of arts, a poignant vignette on how he entered this space via his neurosurgeon Dr Ravi Verma himself, the future that museums need to hold tight and connect to, how kids need to to relate to a museum.. and the tragic loss of good copperplate handwriting :-)

Listen in..



 

Sandesh - the Postal Museum relaunched by India Post-

led by Chief Postmaster General Shri Rajendra Kumar . And excellent initiative and wonderful to see the beautiful, functional and people friendly museum restored and open. There was a formal stamp cancellation to commemorate as well. Do tune in to the video below ..




'Department of Posts, CPMG Karnataka Circle Bengaluru is pleased to intimate that "The Sandesh Museum Of Communication" is going to be reopened on 18" May, 2023 At Museum Road, Shanthala Nagar, Ashok Nagar. Bengaluru 560025 at 10 AM. This museum has rare stamps and exhibits showcasing the history of evolution of Indian communication over the years. The Museum of Communication was opened on 15-8-2019 in a heritage building that was originally built in 1804. Sandesha means "Message". In today's world where everything is guided by very advanced technological innovations, there are multiple channels of communication.For the present generation it is very difficult to imagine communication in its primordial form. This museum showcases the evolution of communication which is an interesting journey. In Sandesh Museum there are six rooms namely - Samparka, Samputa, Samvahana, Sangathi, Sangraha and Audio Visual room. Story of the Post Office is the story of its men, machine and methods. Samparka, Samputa, Samvahana, Sangraha and Sangathi sections showcase the men, machines and methods which made postal communication possible. Philatelists and Children are invited to be witness this grand reopening.'


 

Reminder re the National Military Memorial Museum own Raj Bhavan Road


Considering it was Museum Day, it was especially appropriate to send this reminder. So a letter was written to CM to mindfully launch the tragically overdue National Military Museum at the NMM site. it has been over 12 years.. 10000 square feet and it lies there forgotten, incompete, even rusting .. What an insult our martyrs...



 


All in all, an eventful day and a promise made to keep this important edifice front and center in our desire to connect with heritage ..


What are your suggestions for next year?

What shall we do? Who shall we focus on?

How can we innovate?

Team Heritage Beku
Apr 24, 20233 min read

What next with Nallur Tamarind Grove, Indias first Biodiversity Heritage Site


23rd April 2023


Chief Secretary

GoK

Vidhana Souda

Bangalore


Dear Madam:


Sub: Preservation and protection of the 400 old Nallur Tamarind Grove, Temple & Environs


The first site to be declared a National Biodiversity Heritage Site by the National Biodiversity Authority in 2007, it is a great pride for us in Karnataka. However, despite the efforts of several in the biodiversity committees, forestry et cetera nothing significant has been done and very little budget has been expended on protecting (even fencing, de-weeding ) this iconic and historic site from erosion, vandalism and issues. Being in the highly aspirational area of the Bangalore airport in Devanahalli to look, it has huge tourism potential as well, but the concerns regarding an industrial estate coming up close by is certainly going to damage the green as well as the water levels of this site.


We at Heritage Beku request that a strong committee be formed under the Chief Secretary & Biodiversity Board to focus on this and allot specific funds necessary for the proper upkeep and preservation of this rich ecological treasure. We need to also focus on the additional layers of the Temple and Fort which are so integral to this legacy. An integrated group with a budget needs to be quickly put together before we see an erosion of another magnificent & ancient heritage site that our state could be truly proud of.


We would be glad to offer any thoughts, ideation, or support to ensure that citizens can be made a part of this critical preservation. As an annexure we have also added the suggestions of Prof Githa U Badikillaya who researched extensively on this. We look forward to hearing from you and moving ahead to ensure that Jewel that is our Nallur Tamarind Grove, continues to shine.


Thanking you,

Yours Sincerely,


Priya Chetty-Rajagopal

Heritage Beku

CC: Chair, Karnataka Biodiversity Board

CC Dept of Forests

CC: Dept of Tourism

Links :


Dr Githa U Badikillaya’s inputs :


Its 53.2 acres with 297 tamarind trees of which 47 are heritage trees. Tamarind trees survive.

long when there is no human intervention.


1- First survey the extent of the land by drones as i am told that nearly 40% of land is

encroached by the villagers themselves. A drone exercise was done and found encroachments. This the revenue dept should do.

2- Immediately fencing the area will be expensive . To rope in Corporates as CSR and by

the forest dept and bio diversity board.

3- Removal of overgrowth and clearing debris

4- There is unchecked grazing, if continued it will lead to Sahara situation.

5- intermingling with the trees are medicinal shrubs- Abutilon Indicum that has to be

preserved. the leaves soothe the alimentary canal, brings down fever, as a laxative, removes

mucous secretion from bronchial tubes, chronic inflammation of urethra and urinary bladder,

Rota are used as nerve tonic. leaves are cooked. They are mistaken for weeds

6-A 75-year-old Kote Kempanna underpaid lone watchman (175₹ per month, when i met him

10 years ago.) takes care of the area erratically.

7-earlier the villagers were taking care and protecting the area and trees in a systematic

manner. for 9 years 20 trees have been cut and sold to contractors by the dept? There was an

affinity between the grove and the villagers that’s missing now.

8-Trees to be Grated,

9- Walking paths to be demarcated

10- No arrangement for toilet and parking facilities.

11- A entrance fee of 70 ₹ to be charged for generating funds for upkeep.

12- Route maps and signboards enroute and at Devanahalli and at airport.

13- Documenting and archiving needed (nearby Agri univ students)

14 Formation of Village Committee as people made care takers take better care of the

property than the govt agencies put together.

15- State archaeology to take over the temple.

16. Can be a repository for original tamarind gene pool. (Has agriculture scientists done

something in this regard?)

17- To involve school and college students and train them to appreciate and preserve this

heritage.

18- Utility of the medicinal plant to be brought to the notice of the villagers who are unaware.


(As suggested by Der. Githa U Badikillaya, Member , Heritage Beku, and Founder Trustee, Destination Heritage)


 

Links :

Team Heritage Beku
Apr 24, 20231 min read

Reviving the Roerich Estate - a valuable legacy

21 April 2023


The Chief Secretary

Govt of Karnataka & Chair, Roerich and Devikarani Roerich Estate Board

Vidhana Soudha

Bangalore


Dear Madam:


Sub: Heritage focus and appropriate action and direction for the historic Roerich estate


We at Heritage Beku are concerned re the future and preservation of the Roerich estate. There have been no clear plans and proper protection and showcasing of this incredible historic and build our site on Bangalore’s outskirts. We are concerned that there have been many varied discussions including converting this into a film city and using it for other commercial purposes. The estate represents not only great historic merit, in a place for both arts films as well as an incredible treasure trove of nature and forestry. We must make all attempts to preserve and promote this beautiful space and avoid any degradation, disuse and loss of habitat and heritage. Already the lake, fauna & fauna are under pollution and threat.


In 2020 the Karnataka Biodiversity Board (KBB) has urged the State government to declare sprawling 467.53-acre Roerich and Devika Rani Roerich Estate situated in southern part of Bengaluru as a "Biodiversity Heritage Site" under the Biodiversity Act 2002. It would be important to understand the status of this request.


From Heritage Beku, we request the government please take cognizance and include us in the discussion of how the Roerich Estate can be dealt with, properly preserved, and be appreciated and loved not only today but for a future generation.


We look forward to your action and response.

Thanking You,

Yours Sincerely.


Priya Chetty-Rajagopal

Founder



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