Udaya Kumar digs deep into Bengaluru’s ancient past

Udaya Kumar shares a photograph of a group of saree-clad women scientists at ISRO celebrating the successful landing of India’s Chandrayaan-3, and says, “This photo is making the rounds of the world.” Asks the passionate citizen historian and heritage conservationist at the inaugural event of The Bangalore Room, a recently opened event space in Indiranagar, “In how many places on earth can you have a space tracking centre with women celebrating in their traditional wear?” This mixture of tradition and modernity is the contrast that Bangalore gives, he argues. “Everything I am taking today is evidence-based,” says the Honorary Director of the Mythic Society Bengaluru Inscriptions 3D Digital Conservation Project, which was started in 2021 to document and preserve the many historic inscription stones scattered across the city. “The HMT and BELs of the world are continuing a tradition that was established 3000 years ago,” says Kumar, with a laugh, referring to the other industries that occupy this part of the city today. “We are happy to learn other languages and make it ours.” Several origin theories Kumar also delves into how finding these inscription stones has altered the origin myth of the city.