My grandmother had a large number of brothers and sisters. One of these was Subhadra, my grand aunt who stayed behind at the family home while everyone left. Here is her account of the history of the area, translated from the original in Kannada.
Page 1: The Origins of Sriramapura
In the past, this area was a dense forest inhabited by wild animals and serpents. Today, however, it has transformed into a residential hub. These settlements were once merely open fields and vacant plots; the noise and bustle of urban life were entirely absent. Today, however, the area has developed significantly, and we have settled here to make it our home. This residential locality was established through the efforts of Mr. Diviri.
Our layout, formerly known as "Ryot’s Block" (Farmers' Block), was home to backward and underprivileged communities. It is located in Bangalore-560021. In 1927, the installation of the Sri Ramachandra Swamy Temple gave this layout its current name.
The layout consists of approximately 25 sub-blocks connected by 4th to 6th main roads. These include: Swatantra Nagar, Christian Colony, Hanumanthapura, Dalithapura, Ambedkar Nagar, Arunidhati Nagar, Gautama Nagar, Bhagyamma Nagar, Dayanandanagar, Okalipuram, Nagappa Block, Prakash Nagar, Ramachandra Puram, Gayatri Nagar, Maruthi Layout, and Subramanya Nagar.
Sriramapura is situated between Rajajinagar and Gandhinagar. While one part belongs to the Gandhinagar constituency, the core area falls under Bangalore-21. It is geographically isolated from Malleshwaram, Seshadripuram, and Yeshwanthpur by the railway lines. Historically, residents of other areas looked down upon this place as a "slum." Even today, the name "Sriramapura" carries a stigma that makes outsiders hesitant to visit.
Page 2: Geography and The Incense Industry
To reach the 3rd Cross of Sriramapura from Malleshwaram, one must cross the railway lines. This area borders the northern and southern parts of Okalipuram. Within these boundaries lie several small colonies like Ambedkar Nagar and Thayappa Garden.
The residents here are mostly laborers and those from economically backward sections. The streets are characterized by small huts, narrow lanes, and open drains flowing in front of houses. In these very spaces, on the doorsteps and narrow sidewalks, women and children are constantly seen rolling "Agarbatti" (incense sticks). This is the primary livelihood here. These incense sticks are then dried in open spaces like the Ambedkar grounds. The scent of raw incense permeates the air of the entire neighborhood.
Page 3: Struggles and Social Services
The laborers here, who migrated from various places for work, initially settled in these "slums" because the rent was affordable. However, poverty often leads to social ills; many residents are caught in the grip of alcoholism and debt. Moneylenders frequently exploit the ignorance and addiction of the poor.
Despite these challenges, there have been efforts to bring reform. Over the last 50 to 75 years, several individuals and institutions have worked for the upliftment of the area. Notable doctors like Dr. Radha Gandhi, Dr. Dwarakanath, and Dr. Keshavadaran have served the community.
In 1965, a free medical center was established on a 50x141 plot in Nagappa Block to serve the poor. Additionally, the S.R. Srinivasan and Rama Bai Hospital provides essential healthcare to the locals.
Page 4: The Sree Rama Co-operative Bank and Deena Seva Sangha
For the benefit of the poor in our layout, visionaries established the Sree Rama Co-operative Bank in 1932. Located on 7th Main, this institution was created to encourage saving and provide financial stability to laborers.
Another pillar of the community is the **Deena Seva Sangha**, founded in 1930 by T. Ramachandra and other dedicated social workers. Located on 5th Main, it serves the Dalit community and the underprivileged. The Sangha runs:
- An Orphanage
- The Labourer Fellowship Centre
- A Health Centre and Home for the Aged
Students here study in various languages, including Kannada, Tamil, and English. While many residents are Tamil-speaking, the institution works to integrate everyone through education.
Page 5: Educational Institutions
The Harijana Free Hostel (Venkatappa Gopalaswamy Iyer Students' Hostel) was established in 1930. The founder, R. Gopalaswamy Iyer, was honored with the "Vanchana Gopala" title by the Maharaja of Mysore, Krishna Raja Wadiyar, for his service.
Following in his footsteps, D. Venkoba Rao established several institutions including:
- The R. Gopalaswamy Iyer Hostel (for boys)
- The Venkoba Rao Memorial P.U. College
- Schools for the poor and orphaned
In 1950, the Gandhi Vidya Shala was established. Many children who grew up in extreme poverty, some without parents, found a path to a better life through these schools. Though the buildings may lack modern windows or grand doors, they have provided the light of knowledge to thousands.
Page 6: Religious Sites and Modern Life
"...(9th Main Road), Sri Ayyappa Swami Temple on the over-bridge—daily free food distribution (Annadana), free medical care, religious, cultural, and spiritual discourses, old-age homes, and meditation halls—having undertaken such service activities, they have contributed to the growth and development of the area.
In this layout, there are many renowned individuals—to name a few: the late Sri R.R. Keshavamurthy, V.R. Naidu, Cinema Art Director Jagadeesh, Sundaramma, Scientist C.N.R. Rao (in his childhood), and Sri M.A. Sethurao. These people, known for their peace, gentleness, and historical contributions, lived right here.
Because of this, many ask, "Is Sriramapura...?" "Is it there?" "Where is it?" (this means what is so special about Srirampura? What is there here?) They listen with curiosity. Near Malleshwaram, it feels like it is shrinking. Here, in the historical background, there are places of prayer—temples, mosques, and magnificent churches—are they not all here? Look closely. The educational institutions of the late Venkoba Rao—the vast parking areas that provide fresh air for children (even the old Madanagar school has the same); there are open playgrounds.
In other layouts, one must wait for a bus to go to work, but here, there is good transport and market access—these facilities are not elsewhere. In the early days, if children were playing and running across the road, elders would scold them, saying, "Go play in Malleshwaram." In the layout across the way, it is easy to see the cars and buses parked on the road or in front of houses. They have no other choice for parking.
Many pedestrians walk along the road, and as water flows in the gutters, people say, "Even the drainage water flows like a river inside this iron cage." As mentioned before, "Prosperity and abundance have grown and flourished here." Many say the layout is small, but if the mind is large, it can fit here. Are you searching for more? Indeed, it is here. Even the "Sparrows" (Gubbachigalu), which are disappearing today, sit on the doors of the shops here every day, chirping without fear. (The vegetable market built by the descendants of Lakshminarayana Puram).
Page 7: Additional descriptive details and geographical context
For the poor people here, there are small shops, small temples, and one or two houses. This is a description and picture of the northern part of Sriramapura-21, 6th Main.
Further, in the middle part of Sriramapura—from Malleshwaram Circle (towards the railway station), if you go straight to Vyalikaval, crossing the K.C. General Hospital, and look from the over-bridge towards Mahakavi Kuvempu Road (Nagappa Block Road), the half portion of Sriramapura that stretches across is visible. In this part lie Nagappa Block, Gayatri Nagar, Maruthi Layout, Prakash Nagar, and the area near the railway line—these sub-layouts are systematically located. You can reach here by getting off the train at the stop above and walking down.
Previously, these large layouts were just fields and open lands. Today, there are buildings and houses. The spirit of the old days is still here. In the 1st Main of Nagappa Block, there was the Samadhi of Nagappa. Recently, a building was constructed on that spot. This layout is named after him. Near the railway line, there are schools—Ramanand (Urdu Medium), Balashivara Schools (High School), Murthappa Degree College, and Vivekananda Law College (which is near the Nimishamba Temple).
There are also beautiful temples—Trimurthy Temples. In Nagappa Block, there are Subramanya Nagar Ganesha Temples, and in Gayatri Nagar, there are Rama Temples. Though they are small, they are very active. From Nagappa Block, there is easy bus connectivity to other layouts. National, Canara, Vijaya, and Corporation Banks are also in the Nagappa Block and Mahakavi Kuvempu Road area. The Central City Library is in Ramamohanapura. Thus, the look of this half-portion is unique.
As said before, the number of temples in this layout is increasing. There are temples that are more than 75 years old. In the olden days, the Sri Ramachandra Swamy Temple, which gave the area the name "Sriramapura," was built by residents who came from the Murudi town of Tiruchirappalli district. They became residents here, and in 1927, under the leadership of R. Narayanarao.
