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Lalbagh: Created in 18th Century
Most Bangaloreans take pride in the city's sequentially flowering trees, but not many know that the credit for this should go to one man -- German botanist and garden designer Gustav Hermann Krumbiegel. He is best known for his work in designing Lalbagh and planning the city's tree-lined avenues.
Krumbiegel joined the Mysore State Service in 1908 as curator of the Botanical Gardens in Lalbagh. As a result of the merger of various parks and gardens, hill stations and other horticultural establishments into the department of government gardens, Krumbiegel's position was elevated to the superintendent's post, and subsequently, to the post of director of horticulture.
He served the state for 25 years as economic botanist to the government till his retirement in 1932. After his retirement, he settled in Bangalore and worked as 'landscape advisor' to the state of Mysore, till his death in 1956. He was laid to rest in this city.
"The Bangalore of Krumbiegel was a fertile lab to experiment with harnessing nature and experimenting with trees that could be imported, acclimatized and nurtured to become part of the local landscape," said Suresh Jayaram, visual artist and art historian, who curated a multimedia exhibition on Krumbiegel's life and work in 2010, titled 'Whatever he touched, he adorned'.
Krumbiegel's concept of 'serial blossoming' ensures that the city always has at least one variety of tree that is in bloom. The 'tree of gold' or Tabebuia Argentea, which hails from tropical America, is one of the early bloomers colouring the city with its bright yellow flowers. Another brush of yellow comes from the yellow silk cotton or 'arasinabooruga', which is commonly found in South India. Adding a dash of pink to the city is the Tabebuia Rosea or Pink Poui, which has its origins in Mexico, Venezuela and Ecuador.
"In the historical context, Krumbiegel inherited the legacy of the British who had charted out a programmed expansion plan to harness nature and make Bangalore the epicentre. Experimenting with economic botany and city aesthetics was a passion for Krumbiegel," said Jayaram. Krumbiegel was inspired by the Chelsea Flower show in the UK.
Queen's Flower, commonly know as hole dasayala, which is common in countries such as Ceylon, Burma, Australia and China, used to once adorn the boulevard on MG Road, colouring the area with its flowers that varied in shades of pink and purple.
Laxman Rao Park
Madhavan Park:
- http://www.karnataka.com/bangalore/parks/
- http://www.horticulture.kar.nic.in/lalbagh.htm
Lalbagh: Created in 18th Century
Lalbagh was created in 1760 covering an area of 40 acres, as a private garden for the then Mysore Rulers, Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan. Today, spread across an area of 240 acres, the lush green garden is famous for diverse and exotic flora collected from all over the world. A treasure house for the botanists, it is a huge lung space for the common man and a joggers' delight.
The famous Lalbagh Glass House, where the annual flower shows are held, was built in 1889 to commemorate the arrival of Prince of Wales. It had been designed on the lines of London’s Crystal Palace. Lalbagh is also home to one of the four watch towers built by Kempegowda II, the founder of Bangalore City.
The iconic Lal Bagh Glass House conceptualised and built by the then Superintendent of Governament Gardens, John Cameron had only three wings each to North, South and West.
Krumbiegel joined the Mysore State Service in 1908 as curator of the Botanical Gardens in Lalbagh. As a result of the merger of various parks and gardens, hill stations and other horticultural establishments into the department of government gardens, Krumbiegel's position was elevated to the superintendent's post, and subsequently, to the post of director of horticulture.
He served the state for 25 years as economic botanist to the government till his retirement in 1932. After his retirement, he settled in Bangalore and worked as 'landscape advisor' to the state of Mysore, till his death in 1956. He was laid to rest in this city.
"The Bangalore of Krumbiegel was a fertile lab to experiment with harnessing nature and experimenting with trees that could be imported, acclimatized and nurtured to become part of the local landscape," said Suresh Jayaram, visual artist and art historian, who curated a multimedia exhibition on Krumbiegel's life and work in 2010, titled 'Whatever he touched, he adorned'.
Krumbiegel's concept of 'serial blossoming' ensures that the city always has at least one variety of tree that is in bloom. The 'tree of gold' or Tabebuia Argentea, which hails from tropical America, is one of the early bloomers colouring the city with its bright yellow flowers. Another brush of yellow comes from the yellow silk cotton or 'arasinabooruga', which is commonly found in South India. Adding a dash of pink to the city is the Tabebuia Rosea or Pink Poui, which has its origins in Mexico, Venezuela and Ecuador.
"In the historical context, Krumbiegel inherited the legacy of the British who had charted out a programmed expansion plan to harness nature and make Bangalore the epicentre. Experimenting with economic botany and city aesthetics was a passion for Krumbiegel," said Jayaram. Krumbiegel was inspired by the Chelsea Flower show in the UK.
Queen's Flower, commonly know as hole dasayala, which is common in countries such as Ceylon, Burma, Australia and China, used to once adorn the boulevard on MG Road, colouring the area with its flowers that varied in shades of pink and purple.
After Krumbiegel retired in 1932, HC Javaraya, the first Indian horticulturist to be trained at London's Kew Gardens, took over. Rao Bahadur H.C.Javaraya assumed charge as the Superintendent of Governament Gardens, Mysore ( Princely State ). Rao Bahadur H.C. Javaraya added the Eastern wing to the Glass House, thus making it a four winged symmetrical conservatory
Cubbon Park: Created in 19th Century
Cubbon Park was laid out and planned by Richard Sankey, the erstwhile Chief Engineer of Mysore in 1864 and established in the year 1870 by Sri John Meade, the then acting Commissioner of Mysore. At that time Meade’s Park was its name as a tribute to Sir John Meade and subsequently called the Cubbon Park. Later the park was official named as "Sri. Chamarajendra Park" in wake of the Silver Jubilee celebration of Sri Krishnaraja Wodeyar’s rule in Mysore state. Presently the Department of Horticulture controls the maintenance and administration of the park. The Deputy Director of the Horticulture department heads it. Cubbon Park occupies over 300 acres
Kariappa Memorial Park
The Kariappa Memorial Park was laid out in 1996 to honor the late Field Marshall K. M. Kariappa, the first chief of the Indian Army. This 22-acre garden between M.G. Road and Cubbon Park has a walking track, a waterfall and a special play area for children. This eco-friendly park maintains 3,000 species of plants without pesticides and insecticides.
Krishna Rao Park: in BASAVANAGUDI
This park in the Basavanagudi locality is named after late M.N. Krishna Rao, Acting Dewan of Mysore. A Heaven for joggers, children to play. The park occupies a vast area of 69825 sq metres. The large trees, landscaping, joggers track, and play areas for both children and adults are benefit to the locals. Sir Krishna Rao was honoured with knighthood in 1934 for his outstanding contribution and he held charge as Dewan twice when Sir Mirza Ismail travelled to England to attend the Round Table Conference.
Bugle Rock Park
Bugle Rock Park, located in Basavanagudi, just behind the Bull temple, is a beautiful park that displays the real culture and heritage of Karnataka. This park is named after a 3000 year old rock called Bugle, which once housed the famous Kempe Gowda’s clock tower and was used by his men to warn the people about the interlopers by a bugle call. Today, Bugle Rock Park stands famous for its geological and cultural interests like artistic statue of famous Kannada poet DVG and more.
Madhavan Park:
This is in JAYANAGAR. The Road from South End to 45th cross has parks on both sides of the road. It is 5th Main. Laxman Rao, ex-commissioner of Bangalore City Corporation, is another Indian stalwart who took a keen interest in laying out gardens and parks in the corporation area, and also planting flowering and shade trees to beautify Bangalore.
Coles Park:
The Coles Park, in the Bangalore East is located in Fraser Town in Bangalore on Promenade Road. Named after the Resident of Mysore this park exists from 1914
Silver Jubilee Park:
Defense Cololy Park: In INDIRANAGAR
Nice post on parks. Keep sharing post like this. Bugle Rock Park attracts hundreds of scientists and geologists who come to the park to look at the Bugle Rock. It is a sudden and abrupt rise of a gneiss rock formation, dated to be around 3000 million years old. The Geological Survey of India deems this to be a monument of great import for research studies based on the evolution of the earth. Check out all about Bugle Rock.
ReplyDeleteThanks. It is encouraging. Will try to add all the relevant details which will be useful for someone.
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