Society

Have you ever wondered how and why Bengaluru was established? What was it like? Did you know that the name 'Bengaluru' could have been derived from either a form of granite or the 'Honge' tree (Indian beech)? According to Yashaswini, based on inscriptions found, Bengaluru was established as a trading town during 537 AD by Kempegowda. Listen in to this interview in the series, to learn more about the history of Bengaluru and its various petes and people.

If you happened to pass by the State Archaeological Museum in Bengaluru on any day between May 18th and 21st, you would probably have been in for a pleasant surprise. In observance of International Museum Day (May 18th), the venue was host to a variety of informative and interactive events and activities over the weekend--from story-telling sessions to creative writing workshops, bringing together a diverse audience and fostering new connections and relationships not often associated with the Indian museum space. These events were funded by Karnataka Tourism and organised by city-based organisation ReReeti, which seeks to revitalize museums, enabling them…

On a Tuesday morning in early April this year, over a thousand teachers and students at a Kilpauk school were part of an interactive, fun-filled session, that was unlike any other they had ever taken part in. For, while there were fun and games and audio-visual presentations, as there might have been during other school events, the focus on this occasion was different. It was a session meant to raise awareness among those present, as well as break the silence around one of the greatest social evils of the times - child sexual abuse, or CSA. Much as we would…

  'Men Take Lead Ride' is a historic ride to mark the International Menstrual Hygiene Day on 28th May 2017 in Bengaluru starting at 8 am at Bangalore Town Hall for a stigma free menstruation. The riders will cover 40 kilometres to mark the 40 years a woman menstruates in her lifetime. The route is Townhall - Mekhri circle - Iskon -PES College -Devegowda Petrol Bunk - JP Nagar - Silk Board - HSR Layout BDA Complex. At the end point the bikers and supporters of the ride will take a pledge to end stigma around menstruation in our homes, schools, workplaces…

Having always been a self-proclaimed ‘dog person,’ Osha Shetty works hard every day to improve the lives of these innocent creatures she loves so dearly. This 30-year-old is currently the Centre Manager at the CUPA Second Chance Adoption Centre, Silk Board Junction. CUPA (Compassion Unlimited Plus Action) rescues thousands of abandoned, ill-treated and sick street animals in Bengaluru and provides them with the care they need until they may be re-homed. Osha’s love extends to other animals too, and she was one of the people behind The Cat Studio, New Tippasandra. Osha has always had dogs and other pets in…

RJ Beula and RJ Vijaya of Radio Active 90.4 MHz were at the fine hand block-printing workshop organised by Tharangini in Sadashivanagar on 13 May 2017. The event was held in celebration of 40 years of the organisation promoting the ideas of Indian artisanship, textiles, and eco-friendly production, one of the very few such initiatives remaining in our city today. All dyes are eco-friendly and made in-house. Many of the artisans have been with Tharangini for nearly 2 - 3 decades. Padmini Govind speaks about the history and various activities of Tharangini - a textile unit that was started by…

Priya Dilip, a research scholar in the field of Gender and cultural studies, is originally from what she calls a 'sleepy town' in Kerala. She talks about her childhood, her love of reading, and authors who left an impression on her. She 'recognises' herself in the characters of Alice Munro and sways with Carson McCullers. She has travelled extensively for her doctoral research paper on Devdasis of Kerala, and has many an anecdote to narrate. She also talks about the changing academic sphere, the struggles a woman goes through, and life.  

The best feeling that one can have is the happiness that comes from within. Add to that acceptance by family, and the happiness just expands manifold. Karan Kariappa, the founder of Amour, an LGBTQ+ dating platform, talks about how he met Abdul Rahman Khan. Rahman shares his poetry and talks about his coming out, and about how his family accepted his preferences.