A CULTURAL PARADISE

Bangalore or should we say Bengaluru now, is the capital city of Karnataka. Ranked as the top in the list of dynamic cities of the world by world economic forum, is known for its many specialties.
So, what is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of Bengaluru?  It’s the ‘Silicon city’ of India or the ‘Garden City’ or rather ‘Garbage City’? Now, what is the image that pops up in your mind when you think of Bangalore? Probably, an IPL match and RCB, the lavish UB City and Vijay Mallya?? … Or maybe Wonderla, Lal Bagh, Bangalore Palace or Vidhana Soudha?

Any place we see, firstly will be remembered for the beauty of that place or the people we meet and the public spaces (since tourist attractions are mainly public). Bengaluru over the time has become the hub of many corporates and the youth for education and employment. People from all over the country and even from abroad come here to pursue their dreams. Situated in the heart of the Mysore Plateau, Bangalore does not face any harsh climatic conditions. Bangalore’s favorable climate and its cosmopolitan approach and the endless job opportunities are resulting in the increase in the city’s population.

For all such obvious reasons, people make this place a sheer colorful city filled with heart-warming fervor and allure. With presence of such a vivid culture and enthusiasm, it is proving a heaven for the existence of all kinds of arts; Be it theatrical, handicrafts, stone carving, wood works, music, dance or any entertainment. And not to forget that shopping is a bi-product and a result closely related to the same reasons, by which it lets us know the appreciation and demand for these talents. Bangalore having such rich cultures and high demand for all these talents lacks a proper infrastructure for the same.

What if Bangalore had a one-stop Destination, Shopper’s paradise, a venue showcasing the country’s craft and cultural tradition?

What if Bangalore had a central public space capturing the essence of the traditional spaces like street shopping, plazas, parks in one complex?

Would this change the image of the city? Can it be the cultural and commercial landmark of the city?

Vidhana Soudha, UB City and Bangalore Palace are the architectural landmarks of  present Bangalore. Even though they are all well-known for being the structural attractions of the city they do not serve as a public space to all economic groups of the society. Vidhana Soudha being a bureaucratic center, it is the power house only for the people in political alliances. UB City is the center for the high income groups and not every class of the society feel comfortable visiting this place. Bangalore Palace is a Heritage site and cannot function as a congregational center.

With all such short comings, what if there was one place, a ‘Cultural Hub’ which could cater to all the genre and classes of the society without any sort of discrimination and also serve as an Architectural Landmark?

My thesis is on the exact thought of creating a public space; a ‘CULTURAL HUB’, with a broad area and scope for various activities, which promotes the culture and talent; a place for all types of gatherings and making it an architectural landmark of the city.