Way back in 1901, at a small brick house, Bellabe Venkata Narayanappa along with a few friends started a club in Basavanagudi which is now known as Basavanagudi Union Services Club. It was a place for these friends to enjoy the serene weather of Bangalore that prevailed during that time. In fact, one of the key members, K S Iyer who used to travel to and fro between Bombay and Bangalore donated some amount of money and construction material for the construction of the club, as a tribute to the climate and amenities of the garden city.
For Bellabe Venkata Narayanappa and his friends, this was a place of recreation during weekends and they used to spend most of their time playing cards. Speaking to City Express, Satya from INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage) said, “Basavanagudi Club has been an important landmark in the city’s architectural history. However, today the club has under gone many alterations and modification. Many prominent poets have been part and parcel of this club.”
Once famously known as Masti club, today it has undergone significant changes. The Manager of the club, Nagaraj says, “The famous litterateur Masti Venkatesha Iyengar was a regular visitor and a prominent member of this club and hence, the club became famous as Masti club. During that time they used to play cards with annas.”Even today the club boast of well-known personalities. Nagaraj informs, “Prof BK Chandrashekar, a former IIM-B professor and ex-minister, Birur Devaraj from BJP and many film personalities are permanent members of this club.”
Jaisim, an architect and a member of the club says, “Many phenomenal icons have walked this space from its initial inauguration. The list is like a honours role call. They talk of great personalities that famed these walls and floors.”
As far as the structure of the building is concerned, it was just a brick house. But as membership grew and the activities increased the constraint of space became a factor. Jaisim adds, “A few changes happened in the sixties and seventies. And a major change took place in the late nineties and early twenty-first century. There was an overwhelming response to the demands of the members and the management took a bold decision to raze the age old structure and build a new complex. The changes have been continuous and a challenge to many memories and the very nature and culture of the club. New members and their children enjoy the open space and the potential that the club has opened up for their leisure, sports and cultural expressions.”
He added,”Yes, the old members have to accept the changes which we have made to address the needs of the newer generation who are also our members. There are definitely memories of those era as well as old tales told by the distinguished members in the aisles of the club now and then.”
From architectural point of view, he says, “It was a very bold aesthetic decision. Not many comprehend it. It has been achieved at a fantastically low cost. I would be proud to state that if one rummages through the pages of contemporary modern architectural icons all over the world, this one surprisingly reflects that imagery. It is a timeless effigy!” He concludes, “ The members old and new are like one overgrown family. Although, hardly any parking space , yet full to its brim. Any evening I feel a bit lost as I pace my way to Basavanagudi club.”