Bangalore’s Lalbagh: A Chronicle of the Garden and the City

Lalbagh Botanical Garden in Bengaluru can be described as a botanical cosmos due to its vast collection of plant life, its historical significance, and its role as a vibrant space for the city. The garden is a hub of biodiversity, featuring a diverse array of plant species, including those of economic and ornamental value, as well as centuries-old trees. It serves as a living laboratory, a place for scientific research, and a recreational space for the city's inhabitants. With research stemming from the author’s roles as an artist, art historian, curator, and garden enthusiast, the book grounds itself in local histories and presents. Suresh Jayaram locates himself within Lalbagh's botanical paradise and draws our attention to a garden and urban cosmos that holds within its bounds. His talk will illustrate his book, which is a montage of historical, anthropological and personal anecdotal narratives.

© Suresh Jayaram Suresh Jayaram is an artist, art historian, arts administrator, and curator from Bangalore. He is the Founder and director of Visual Art Collective/1.Shanthiroad Studio is an international artists’ residency and alternative art space in Bangalore, India. His keen interest in Bangalore's Urban history has led him to research on the German horticulturist GH. Krumbiegel resulted in the publication of 'Whatever He Touched, He Adorned', a book accompanied by a curated exhibition on the German horticulturist in 2015. He is also the author of "Bangalore's Lalbagh: A Chronicle of the Garden and the City" (2021) and is currently working on his subsequent publication on Cubbon Park. His connection with Sri Lanka involved collaborating with Theertha International Artist Association on the "Sethusamudram Project" (2012-2013) and curating CAB - Becoming (2012) with curator Roman Berka for Anouska Hempel.