public spaces Citizen Matters, Blogs

The Chitra Santhe as an urban space

February 12, 2020 Kiran Keswani

The annual Chitra Santhe was held on 6th January 2020 in Bengaluru this year. Since 2003, the festival has been celebrating traditional and contemporary art and making it accessible to the public. It has brought

Car Park, Bommanahalli

June 20, 2019 Deepa Mohan

On our way for a quick birding trip at Basapura Lake, we were crossing Bommanahalli when our attention was caught by a car-pillar. We quickly stopped to take a photo, and when I put it

Usurping public roads for private parking

May 15, 2016 Deepa Mohan

I’ve written before on the practice many organisations indulge in, in appropriating the space in front of their buildings as ‘reserved’ parking spaces for themselves. I think the problem is assuming large proportions and the

“Reserving” parking on public roads

December 16, 2014 Deepa Mohan

One of the small, but intensely annoying practices that I am increasingly finding is that of security guards in front of large office/commercial buildings, obviously acting on instructions, to “reserve” the parking space in front

Charging for cameras at public parks and lakes

December 11, 2014 Deepa Mohan

The practice of charging the members of the public for cameras (aftear 8 am or 9 am)at many public spaces is irritating a lot of people. Joiston Pereira writes: “The entry ticket and camera fee….is

Lakeside composting

July 16, 2014 Arathi Manay Yajaman

There are finally corporators who are walking the talk on managing waste. Smt Nandini Srinivasa and Sri ME Pillappa (BBMP Wards 9 and 10 respectively) are taking a personal interest in trying to alleviate the

How Trees make our Public Spaces what they are

November 14, 2013 Kiran Keswani

I’m sitting at Lalbagh gardens. The sun is already strong but it doesn’t bother me. I sit in the shade of a Tree, listening to the birds. I can’t see them but know they are

Steps and seat, Lalbagh….

April 8, 2012 Deepa Mohan

Steps and Seat What scenes have these steps seen?Who are the people who’ve sat upon that seat?How many have rested their backs there?On the steps, how many feet? How many suns have cast

Dusk at Lalbagh

March 18, 2012 Deepa Mohan

Another visit… I went to Lalbagh on Friday evening, because a friend wanted to try out the 300mm prime lens. I’ve not often been to Lalbagh in the evening, and was freshly amazed at what