Neighbourhood Diaries New Episode Screening Fri 29th Nov 2013 7:30pm
shekar
The Neighbourhood Diaries team presents its next episode in the Blackpally Diaries chapter,
‘House of Ally’ - A short film on the historic Mohammed Ally mansion in the heart of Shivajinagar
DATE & VENUE: 29th Nov 2013 7:30 pm sharp, Mohammed Ally Hall, First Floor, No. 5, Veerapillai St, Shivajinagar
http://goo.gl/maps/nRVzQ - location map of the Hall
PROGRAMME (45 mins to 1 Hr)
- Introduction to the neighbourhood and project
- Screening of ‘Lost Sequel’ – the first film in the Blackpally Diaries installment
- Screening of ‘Trade-Off?’ – the second Blackpally Diaries film
- Screening of 'House of Ally' - the latest episode and our evening's focus
- Meet the Blackpally Diaries Team of Film-maker Clemence Barret and Conservation Architect Krupa Rajangam
FILM SYNOPSIS
Follow the ups and downs of the last courtyard mansion of its type in Shivajinagar and learn about the man who created this amalgamation of east and west - as told through the eyes of his descendants.
This film is part of a larger idea ”Neighbourhood Diaries”…stories and histories of neighbourhoods – short films that describe a neighbourhood’s tangible and intangible heritage, its significant socio-cultural centers and their present relevance or otherwise through personal narratives.
SYNOPSIS ON BLACKPALLY i.e. SHIVAJINAGAR
Shivajinagar or Blackpally was a barren region when Kempegowda founded modern Bangalore. The first settlers in the area were farmers and it is believed that the name Blackpally came from the bili akki (white rice) that they grew in their fields.
As the British Cantonment was established to its south and east, Blackpally gradually became a native settlement servicing the needs of ‘native’ residents. Interestingly, the bazaar became popular with the Europeans as well, as they couldn’t resist the possibility of finding a bargain!
Though much has altered now, Russel Market is still the main market, opposite one can still see the spires of St Mary’s Basilica. Numerous stalls and different kinds of bazaars, co-exist, along with the shop houses. Beside these remain lone remnants of typologies like the mews, choultries (community halls), cinemas and hospitals, which once served the influx of visitors and residents alike. All are now united in their struggle for existence and relevance.
Neighbourhood Diaries is a collaborative project conceived by Krupa Rajangam of Saythu, and Archana Prasad of Jaaga, who are both based in Bangalore. While working together on Bangalore City Project they realised the importance of neighbourhood histories and of involving the residents of a locality in the process of excavating and documenting secrets, truths and novelties that make their neighbourhood special. Thus giving birth to the project to document the oral, tangible and intangible heritage of neighbourhoods and making it publicly available online.