A leafy neighbourhood steeped in historical past and heritage, Basavanagudi is likely one of the oldest localities of the town. Whereas it’s synonymous with the Bull temple, kadlekai parshe (annual groundnut honest) and the colourful Gandhi Bazaar, do you know it was additionally dwelling to a number of stalwarts from the sphere of drugs?
For example, the primary girl surgeon of India hailed from Basavanagudi as did the primary eye surgeon of Mysore State. A few of these docs had been the founding members of famend establishments akin to Vani Vilas Hospital and Bangalore Medical School, whereas others served as private docs to dignitaries such because the President of India, Nizam of Hyderabad and Mysore Maharaja.
Celebrating the legacy of those achievers who scaled nice heights regardless of all odds is Classic Salute, a curated picture exhibition of those docs who practiced in Basavanagudi from the Forties to the Eighties. It was conceptualised by Maya Chandra, founder-director of Maya Movies, a historical past buff and an old-time resident of Basavanagudi herself.
Inspiring journeys
The picture exhibition covers the journey of 34 docs who had been all trailblazers in their very own proper, a lot of them having accomplished their LMP (Licensed Medical Practitioner) diploma earlier than Independence. They pursued specialisations overseas on scholarships regardless of their humble backgrounds.
Maya Chandra at Classic Salute, an exhibition of docs hailing from Basavanagudi
| Picture Credit score:
Rashmi Gopal Rao
“As a local of Basavanagudi and having been handled by neighbourhood docs, I at all times knew we had a number of of them amidst us. Wanting again, I can not assist however really feel immense gratitude to their contribution to our lives. So, on the event of Physician’s Day this 12 months, I assumed it could be an incredible concept to pay tribute to medical practitioners from our locality. Their tales wanted to be informed as an inspiration for all of us, together with present-day docs,“ says Maya.
The exhibition covers the important thing milestones of those docs from various fields and contains professionals from Allopathy, Homeopathy, Ayurveda and psychological well being streams. The pictures are a treasure trove of data. One will get to see Dr Y N Krishnamurthy (1890 – 1975) who did his education from Fort Highschool, Chamrajpet and studied Radiology at Edinburgh College after his training at Presidency School, Madras. He was one of many first Indians to specialize in Radiology overseas and was commissioned by the Maharaja of Mysore to ascertain Karnataka’s first Radiology Division at Victoria Hospital.
From Classic Salute, an exhibition of docs hailing from Basavanagudi
| Picture Credit score:
Rashmi Gopal Rao
Then, there may be Dr B N Balakrishna Rao (1910-1995) — the primary to carry out neurosurgeries in India and was appointed because the honorary surgeon to President of India. The lifetime of Dr B V Ramaswamy who practiced in Gandhi Bazaar from 1952-1994 is as fascinating as it’s inspiring as other than follow at his clinic, he would go on home visits each morning, incomes himself the title of “poor man’s physician”.
Tales of grit and willpower
The exhibition additionally pays homage to exceptional girl docs akin to Dr Nagamma, Dr Kamalamma, Dr Ratnamma Issac, Dr Chandramma Sagar, Dr Sulochana Gunasheela and Dr Radha. Each Dr Kamalamma and Dr Nagamma had been little one widows and the truth that they selected to check and serve society in these days when ostracisation of widows was frequent is testimony to their resilient spirit.
Dr Kamalamma, who had her personal clinic within the locality, and travelled in a horse carriage within the Forties, additionally assisted in quite a few dwelling deliveries of infants. Dr Nagamma who accomplished her LMP in 1927, was conferred with the President of India Award for her group service.
“My mom usually consulted Dr Nagamma and I might tag alongside as a bit little one. Little did I do know that she was such an incredible persona; this exhibition is certainly an eye-opener,” says septuagenarian Parimala SA, a long-time resident of Basavangudi who visited the exhibition.
Padma Shri recipient Dr M Mary Ratnamma Isaac born in 1887, was India’s first girl surgeon who skilled on the Fellowship of the Royal School of Surgeons (FRCS) in the UK and devoted her life to healthcare and social service. Aside from Dr Chandramma Sagar who was the primary girl to finish a triple FRCS from London, Edinburgh and Glasgow, the exhibition additionally pays tribute to Dr Sulochana Gunasheela who was the primary to introduce laparoscopy and ultrasound scanning in Karnataka and In-Vitro Fertilization approach (IVF) in South India. She additionally delivered south India’s first IVF child in 1988.
In depth analysis
In line with Maya, placing collectively the exhibition entailed hours of detailed analysis and connecting with old-time residents, pals and households of Basavanagudi, other than personally visiting their residences and clinics to gather info. “Whereas I received plenty of names once I put out a request on a FB group, nobody gave me any precise contacts. With the assistance of my analysis staff led by my pal Radha Rao, we visited the households of many of those docs who gave us plenty of materials,” says Maya.
On the panel dialogue in the course of the inauguration of Classic Salute, an exhibition of docs hailing from Basavanagudi
| Picture Credit score:
Rashmi Gopal Rao
The exhibition was inaugurated by cardiac surgeon Dr Vivek Jawali who additionally started his profession in Basavanagudi in the course of the Eighties. It was adopted by a fascinating panel dialogue titled, Carrying the Legacy Ahead: Inspiration & Challenges, with Dr Praveen Murthy, Dr Padmini Issac, Dr Devika Gunasheela, Dr Sanjay Gururaj Rao, Dr Aditya, Dr Ramdas and Dr Saraschandra Singh. All of the panel members hail from the households of the docs featured within the exhibition.
Classic Salute is on until July 7 is on the Indian Institute of World Tradition, 6, BP Wadia Highway, Basavanagudi
