Bangalore has no perennial rivers. Rulers and administrators over hundreds of years have recognized that this region is water-constrained and planned growth around water
All the drinking water in the world will fit in a cube that can sit over the city of Bangalore. And in this industrial age, everyone wants a share of aquifers, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. Voices get shriller and stakes rise ever higher should a river cross international boundaries. Add to all this, the unpredictability of weather patterns in the age of climate change.
On the freshwater trail, I will follow the changing fortunes of people and species in the anthropocene era
The Indian government calls 68% of the Thar a "wasteland," and plans to "better utilize" it. Actions born of this new lexicon threaten to destroy livelihoods and an ecosystem at a time when monsoons are unpredictable
The deep Thar desert sees only forty cloudy days. Yet, the shepherds have as many different names for clouds. Does the essence of thriving in this hostile clime begin with an evocative lexis of the land?
People of the Thar desert who live with the cycle of seasons find ways of feeding thousands of people without irrigation. This story unfolds over a year and recounts history through contemporary lives lived gently
In this industrial age, everyone wants a share of aquifers, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. On the Freshwater Trail, I follow the changing fortunes of riverine communities and species
Traditional desert dwellers, semi-nomadic shepherds, call upon ancient wisdom to survive in the deep Thar desert of Rajasthan. This is a story about people who remember where the wells live
“Take heed lest you fall”, while a philosophical adage, can safely be applied to Bangalore’s situation today. The louder and clearer we scream the govt, the citizens or rain gods may hear us.
what a beautiful start, Arati, waiting to hear more about this story… and more importantly what we can learn from it. I hope it doesn’t need a king to resolve our cities water problems.
Thanks so much, Huzefa, for the generous words. More very soon…
Warmly,
Arati
Beautifully written Arati. Can’t wait for the next part.
Thank you, Ravi. The rest is coming soon, very soon.
Best,
Arati
Great work of analysis.
What an intriguing walk down the lanes of history, Arati! Eagerly looking forward to rest of the series.
Beautifully written. This should become a printed book. Look forward to more. Keep up the great work. It feels wonderful to read the city being spoken of with so much love and belonging. It runs like an undercurrent, your love for the city.
Need any artwork for your page, let me know.
Thanks,
Shruthi.
http://www.shruthivishwanath.com
Thanks much for the offer and kind words, Shruthi. Will be in touch.
Best,
Arati
I love how this panning out. In the age of pointless desktop journalism, this is refreshing!
So well written and engrossing walk through the liquid history of Bengaluru Arati. The issue is a big one and measures to improve have to be taken at different levels. Its a great piece of work and can’t wait to read the part 2.
Thanks, Roli! Part 2 is live, here: https://www.peepli.org/stories/bangalore2/
It is commendable that your research is so thorough and that the narrative builds up like an engaging story. Keep it going! 🙂
To my understanding it is not ‘GAUDA ‘ it is ‘GOWDA’
Wonderful account of my home town Bendakaloru, additional note on various account on how this name came about when King Hoysala ( slay the tiger) lost his way in the forest and supposedly met an old women, who fed the hungry king with boiled beans.
Grand narrative evocative history at its best. Bravo!
Ms Rao, you have done justice to the founder of the modern metropolis. You have done for Bengaluru what so many have done for Rome. Thank you.
Kempe Gowda was both a visionary and a practical city planner. Your story makes that so well. To adapt a well-worn saying, water water nowhere, 10 million thirsty people everywhere. Your story is a cautionary tale. Hope people in authority pay heed.
Your narrative style and lucidity of language makes for excellent reading. The archival maps did wonders for me.
Wow beautifully written. This totally summarises the feeling I get when I see skyscrapers, IT parks, SEZ’s & countless Apartments…
brilliant!!!!!
A very unique writing style…
look forward to reading more Arati….
Beautiful history, Arati. Thanks for bringing it alive.
Aarati, so beautifully written ! So engrossing! I had to stop my cooking and continue reading. The whole picture was laid so spectacularly in my mind’s eye. Wish to read more and more from you .
This liquid history is all the more important to us, southerners, who are trying hard to retain our Nethravathi river and our Western Ghats. Thank you for the good reading.
— Shyamala Madhav.
So beautifully written…
An evocative history of Bendakaluru:-)
Kudos!
During this lockdown period, I was researching about Bengaluru weather. Landed here.
Wonderfully written. Thank you.
Warmly,
Naveen