Walk into Sadashivnagar and you get a pretty accurate picture of Bangalore as it was 20 years ago: a smaller, gentler city, bustling with life and vibrancy but with a calmer, unhurried pace. Adjoining Malleshwaram shares many of the same attributes and benefits from its proximity to upmarket Sadashivnagar.
With palatial homes, huge garden spaces and canopied streets, Sadashivnagar subtly states its exclusivity. The area is choc-a-bloc with ministers — present and past — and film stars. ‘Posh’ is the word that comes to mind, and it is a fact that you have to be pretty sound in the pocket to own a home here.
“It is serene and quiet, and it is a safe place as a number of ministers live here, so one doesn’t need personal security for homes,” says actress Ramya, a proud resident of the area. The spaciousness of the homes ensures good neighbours; as she says, “They let you be and are non-interfering.”
Cleanliness, according to her, is the USP of this locality. “It is also in the heart of the city, close to the best hotels, hospitals and the international airport,” she says. And that’s not all, Ramya is happy that the area has a well-tended, manicured look. “All the roads and parks are well-maintained all year round,” she says.
Malleshwaram, which is conjoint with Sadashivnagar, is marked by bustling markets, busy darshinis, some famous temples and a constant stream of students who add a pinch of cosmopolitanism. The oldest residential area in Bangalore has reasons to be counted as one of its best localities. Its joie de vivre is evident as it spills on to the streets, bustling with activity, the mood perennially festive.
Malleshwaram brings to mind busy streets enveloping heritage temples that keep the predominantly middle-class Brahmin community rooted to their traditions.
Malleshwaram, originally a village Mallapura, gets its present day name from the Kaadu Malleswara temple.
“Although it is a little far from my workplace (ITPL), I chose this locality for my parents’ convenience,” says Jagan Parthasarthi, an IT professional who moved to the city a few years ago from Chennai. “This place is apt for my parents, the vicinity of the temples ensures that even my 65-year-old mother can frequent them.” Parthasarthi often drops in at the cafes and shopping complexes in the area and says there are “stores to suit every pocket”, adding that the crowd at such places is “different, not loud and obnoxious so one can bring one’s family along.”
“Although this area’s old world charm and serenity is fading, it is still a place associated with educated, knowledgeable people,” says Dr Radha S Murthy, founder and managing trustee, Nightingale Medical Trust. As a resident of over two decades, she says, “Security-wise, the place is still trouble-free as a high density of population means there are always people around.” Apart from that, she feels that “there is a strong support system — things are easily available.”
The culture-rich area is also a shopper’s haven, but narrow roads are buckling under growing traffic, say residents, who also reiterate that Sampige road has a bottle neck that needs urgent attention.
Sadashivnagar is named after freedom fighter Karnad Sadashiva Rao who was known for his philanthropy. His penchant for charity earned him the title of ‘Dharmaraj’ from Kannada writer Dr Shivaram Karanth.
The violin-shaped auditorium in Sadhashivnagar, Chowdiah Memorial Hall, is named after violin maestro Tirumakudalu Chowdiah and is also a prominent landmark of this area.
The ancient Nandeeshwara temple, also known as Nandi Teertha, on Malleswaram 17th cross is said to be between 3,000 and 7,000 years old. Here, one can see water fall onto an idol of Shiva through the mouth of Nandi. Other famous temples in the area are Lakshmi Narasimha Temple and Sri Krishna Temple, which is said to be over 100 years old.
Famous residents of Sadashivnagar include actress Ramya, the iconic Rajkumar family and former chief minister SM Krishna.
Quick fix
Distance from MG Road: Approx 8 km
Distance from international airport: Approx 35 km
Important educational institutions in and around: Maharani Lakshmi Ammanni
College, Kendriya Vidyalaya School on 18th cross and Government Boys PU College.
Neighbouring areas: Seshadripuram, Basaveshwar Nagar, Majestic.
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