Jan 07 2024 to Jan 07 2024 11:30 a.m.

EVENT HAS ENDED

Where

Bangalore International Centre

7 4th Main Rd, Stage 2, Domlur 560071

Event Description

How the 20th century shapes our present and will influence our future is the common point of debate in India. Politics and economics, culture and society were deeply influenced, if not fundamentally shaped, by choices made at key points of time. Yet this applies equally, so perhaps with even greater long-term consequences, to the environment in its widest sense. In a more focussed way, this is how human actions, via technological choices or the ways land or water are governed, influence the non-human entities we share spaces with.

Rather than view ecology and society as two distinct entities, the overlaps and interfaces can shed fresh light on where we stand today. After all, knowing how we got to where we stand matters. India’s recent environmental pasts have bearing not only on this country but Asia and the world at large.

With this programme, the Bangalore International Centre remembers the contributions of our member Vijay Thiruvady in three landmark lectures that he gave at the BIC, on the “Greening of Bangalore” with Girish Karnad and Capt. Prabhala (2015), on “Botanical Illustrations” with Nirupa Rao (2019), and on “Why Lalbagh Matters” (2021).

Among the accounts of our city, Vijay Thiruvady’s book, Lalbagh – Sultans’ Garden to Public Park published by the Bangalore Environment Trust, presents the most comprehensive history of Lalbagh written to date. Ranging across five centuries, it presents a panoramic view from Kempegowda’s flower garden in 1537, through Haider and Tipu (1760 to 1799), to the East India Company years — Scottish army men and surgeons — and over a century by six Kew trained gardeners. The book is based on research from several archives, including Kew Gardens and the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, and of course on Vijay Thiruvady’s intimate knowledge of Lalbagh having conducted inspiring nature walks for over 18 years that were attended by over 15,000 walkers. 

Vijay Thiruvady was always interested in various aspects of nature and more specifically horticulture. In addition to the Green Heritage Walks in Lalbagh, he conducted Imperial Colonial Walks in Cubbon Park and Military Heritage Walks at the MEG&C and participated in the various activities of Bangalore Environment Trust as a Trustee. These have included the publishing of notable books on Heritage Trees in and around Bangalore and on Devarakadus and Gundutopus in the vicinity of Bangalore. 

Thiruvady spent his early years in Delhi.  His academic interests were pursued at St. Stephen’s College, Delhi and the School of Architecture, Ahmedabad.  When in Delhi, he had exposure to the world of nature and the environment through association with several distinguished people in the field and institutions. 

He gave talks on Bangalore, its environment and history at many institutions, including the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Raman Research Institute, BIC, Bangalore Club, National Gallery of Modern Art, and Azim Premji University. A gifted raconteur, his encyclopedic knowledge of trees and Bangalore’s history were conveyed through stories that kindled a love of nature and made his walks, lectures and books memorable, connecting with young and old from around the world, from experts in the field to school children. His passing in August 2023 is a profound loss to the city.

Tea will be served at 11 am.