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| old image. Bowring Institute Bangalore .past-india.com |
Above image: The Bowring Institute Bangalore’s Premier Club British Era in 1900. Opened in 1868 as a club for private members only. Initially the purpose was to promote knowledge and wisdom, besides recreation.................
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| Bowring Institute in Bengaluru .thehindu.com |
The building is a heritage monument under the control of ASI - the Archeological Survey of India. It is spread over a huge land of 12-acres, in the prime location on St Mark’s Road The club was named after Lewin Bentham Bowring, the Chief Commissioner of Mysore and Coorg, at the time. It was well developed by Benjamin Lewis Rice .
Bowring Institute in Bengaluru stands as a legacy of the garden city's colonial past and rich cultural heritage. It was originally conceived as a social and recreational space for British officers and the European elite. I believe, it was not open for the Indian natives, not even Indian elite.
Over a time, the institute evolved into a premier club, attracting distinguished members from various walks of life, including government officials, business leaders, and intellectuals.Built in the European architectural style, the institute features Madras terraced ceiling with rafters made of quality wood and sloping tiled upper floor, an elegant façade with a spacious arched porch in the middle, high ceilings, wooden flooring, and intricate detailing that reflect the grandeur of the British era. Surrounded by a sprawling gardens and clubhouses have long been a venue for literary discussions, social gatherings, and sporting events. The architect was one G.Gibson of Bangalore Municipality;the Victorian building was completed in 1890. The foundation stone was laid by Lady Pendergast, wife of the British Resident of Mysore. The site was granted by commander of the Mysore Division, Major General Rowland in 1888 near what was then the St Mark’s Square.
However, as the years passed, the structure faced significant wear and tear, with cracks in the walls, water damage, and weakening foundations threatening its integrity. All these are due to negligence on the part of the officials of the ASI.
Some parts became dilapidated due to poor maintenance. Recognizing the urgency to save the structure for future and retain its past grandeur look and glory, a major restoration project was undertaken in 2021 to safeguard the historic character and foundation of the building while integrating essential modern upgrades.
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| Bowring Institute Bangalore .livemint.com |
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| Bowring Institute Bangalore .livemint.com |
Above image.Bowring Inst., Bengaluru: Brightly coloured, geometric Athangudi-styled tiles, traditionally used in the Chettinad houses in Tamil Nadu are used have been used in the library and the reading room, matching the color of the walls, etc.
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| Bowring Institute Bangalore .livemint.com |
Above image: The Bowring institute building. Both its exteriors and interior are redone with a better look, retaining the club ambiance........
Heritage conservation experts with dedication meticulously restored the original façade, reinforced the foundation, and refurbished the interiors, ensuring that period-appropriate design elements were maintained. As mush as possible, they followed the old traditional methods of past era to maintain authenticity like bricks, lime-mortar, flooring work, etc. Special bricks of specified size were used for the Madras terrace roof. Likewise to make lime-mortar matching the 19th century technique, the used a few million eggs (to get yolks) for cohesion and imparting mirror like look on the walls.Maratha buildings in Thanjavur, TN followed this type of tecchnique for building). The three-layered Madras ceiling was laid with interlocking bricks made from special clay were used
In some places the heritage experts used geometrically designed Athangudi tiles (made in Chettinad; widely used in the huge Chettiars residences there) for flooring that will last longer. They used Wooden floors and colonial-era furnishings were meticulously repaired, while essential modern amenities such as improved lighting, air conditioning, and security systems were subtly incorporated. The surrounding gardens were rejuvenated to enhance the charm of the institute’s outdoor spaces. Several additional modifications made including the compound walls suite modern stole of living. However, he originality of the colonial structure was saved as much as possible.
The restoration not only revived the architectural splendor of the Bowring Institute but also reaffirmed its significance as a cultural and social landmark in Bangalore. By striking a delicate balance between preserving historical aesthetics and introducing contemporary functionality, the effort underscored the city’s commitment to heritage conservation. Today, the Bowring Institute continues to thrive as a center for intellectual and recreational activities, ensuring that its colonial legacy endures for generations to come. Th ASI could not bear part of the cost and additional cost was met by the members of the club.
https://www.navrangindia.in/2020/09/the-bowring-institute-remarkable.html
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