BENGALURU: Bangalore Club, the oldest club in Bengaluru, will complete 150 years in 2018. Located on the K M Cariappa Road, the club opened its doors to patrons in 1863 but was launched formally only in 1868.
The cantonment clubs were meant to remind the Britishers about England in India, says Arun Prasad, an independent historian and researcher. The club is located in the serene surroundings among abundant greenery. The century-old trees remind you of the Bengaluru in the pre-historic times.
History
In the early 1800s, the British officers and other elite Britishers used to organise informal gatherings at a British residence, currently opposite to St Joseph’s College on the Residency Road. Later, it was shifted to the Governor’s official residence. Arun Prasad says, “It later got its current name as Raj Bhavan. The house on the Residency Road where the gatherings happened is now where the Sacred Heart School stands.”
The current club premises changed ownership multiple times. There were also other clubs functioning from this premises, adds Arun Prasad. “The Polo Club earlier functioned in this premises for sometime in 1860s. The Bangalore Hunt Club also operated from this premises.”
The Gentlemen’s Club
It started as a club chiefly for men. The entry of women in the main club house and other specified areas was restricted. A cottage was allotted for the exclusive use by the ladies and the men chose to call it dovecot.
The dovecot has a library which is as old as the club and perhaps the oldest in the city. It has a wooden floor annex which was added in 1907 where parties, music, film shows, magic shows used to happen. It is referred to as the ball room. The dovecot was later renamed the Brigadier Hill Annexe after the longest serving president of the club Brigadier Hill. He served as a president for 20 years from 1942 to 1962.
According to the website bangaloreclub.com, the first World War and the World economic depression, also the ardent desire of some determined young officers changed all restrictions and led to the inauguration of the Mixed Club in 1939, after elaborate discussions lasting over a whole year. But men still got their stronghold like the Men’s Bar which continues to date and the men’s card room and men’s bridge room.
The Romance of Winston Churchill
The former Prime Minister of United Kingdom, Winston Churchill, was a member of the club in 1896 at the age of 22. During his three-year stay in Bengaluru, he spent ample amount of time in the club reading and for other recreational activities. He was a good polo player. Dr Thomas A Chandy, president, Bangalore Club, adds, “He also had a romantic interest in a young British girl by the name Pamela Plowen. However, the romance ended when her parents sent her back to England and she became Lady Lytton after marrying Lord Lytton. She must have probably broken his heart.”
It is also interesting to note that a ledger on display in the main building of the club records that Churchill owed `13 to the club which was written off as non-collectible by the club in 1899 as an irrecoverable debt.
Admission of the Indians
Arun Prasad says, “Initially, the admission of the Indians was restricted to the club.”
“After the World War when they saw Indian officers fight shoulder-to-shoulder with the British, they decided to amend the rules.” Col Desaraj Urs was the first Indian officer to be elected into the membership of the club in 1918. Later, Indians were also elected to the General Committee.
The Dress Code
The club has a strict dress code. Men should wear pants, shirts with collars and shoes. They can wear shorts and T-shirts only in the sports area. It is little flexible for women though. They can be in Indian or western attires.
Memberships and Affiliations
The club now functions as a civilian club. There are 7,100 members and 6,000 of them are permanent. There are service, associate and corporate members who enjoy various facilities such as gyms, tennis, billiards, squash, table tennis, swimming pools and tennis.
The club has several affiliations across the globe in countries like Singapore, USA, UK, UAE, China and Bangladesh.