Kolar Gold Fields - NOSTALGIA

CENTENARY OF LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE FOR KING GEORGE HALL ROBERTSONPET KGF

2011-12-10T03:38:00.001-08:00

In the year 1902, the township of Robertsonpet was established to house the Kolar Gold Mines related tertiary sector populace. It was named as ‘Robertsonpet’ by the then Maharaja of Mysore, in commemoration of the memory of Sir Donald Robertson, who was the British Resident of Mysore at the time. Sir Donald Robertson was also responsible for launching the first Hydro-electric plant in Shivanasamudram which supplied electric power to the KGF Mines. Robertsonpet was considered to be one of the first planned residential areas in modern-day India. The township was planned and built to accommodate the increasing population of the city of Kolar Gold Fields.

Over the years the need for recreational facilities and a Town Hall for holding functions and Meetings was greatly felt in Robertsonpet and so a Town Hall was commissioned to be built.

The foundation stone for this Town Hall was laid on 11/12/2011. Although no official records are available, the building was completed in around 2 years time. The Town Hall was built in the Victorian Style of Architecture in the centre of the Robertsonpet Town, on the lines of Town Halls in Britain. It was a Majestic Building having large canopies and arches with a huge garden and sprawling lawns around it.

This Town Hall was named as the King George Hall after King George of England and was the venue of many cultural, literary and social functions. The King George Hall Cosmopolitan Club was started on the same lines as the KGF Club in Oorigaum and offered facilities for tennis, badminton, Billiards, snookers, cards, caroms etc. besides a Library / Reading Room, lounge and Bar.

Over the years this Cosmopolitan Club has continued to thrive and many old timers living in Robertsonpet are still members of this Club. However, the once beautiful garden and the surrounding lawns was allowed to deteriorate and the Civic Authorities had many times tried to annex the land and building to set up a Commercial Complex in its place by Private Builders. The Members of the Club have successfully thwarted these efforts and the Club still continues to function in the prestigious King George Hall.

The King George Hall Cosmopolitan Club is now celebrating the Centenary of the Laying of the Foundation Stone of the King George Town Hall on 11^th December 2011. A Public Park has now been developed in the serene surroundings and the Park will be thrown open to the Public on 11/12/2011 at 11 AM by Sri Jyothi Roy IPS, Superintendent KGF and presided over by Sri Manoj Kumar Meena IAS, Deputy Commissioner Kolar and President of the KGF Cosmopolitan Club.

The efforts of Mr. Sampath Kumar and the other members of the Club are to be commended in saving and beautifying this historic Town Hall.

Memories of Christmas Time in KGF

2011-12-05T05:34:00.001-08:00

Christmas time was the most enjoyable time of the year in KGF. A number of dances and variety programs were arranged during Christmas time, starting from the 2nd week of December and going on till the New Year. Each Mine held their own Christmas celebrations. There were a variety programs such as sports competitions for the children, Fancy Dress Competitions, etc and a High Tea for the children with Santa Claus arriving in a special sleigh to distribute their gifts. Games of skill such as Hoopla, Ringing the Bottle, Ringing the Duck, Lucky Dip, Lucky Arrow, The Chocolate Wheel, Darts, etc were some of the sideshows of the event., followed by a grand Christmas Ball later.
The grand Christmas Balls were occasions to remember. The Dance Invitations would specify ‘Lounge’ or ‘Dress Suits Essential’ and woe betide anyone who turned up in their casual clothes!! So the men and boys would dress in their suits and Tuxedoes and the ladies and girls wore their prettiest dresses and gowns made of lace, silk and satin specially tailored for the occasion.
Local Anglo-Indian Bands or bands from Madras or Bangalore were engaged to play for the dances. The MC of the show would ensure that everyone had a good time and took part in the Square Dances and other group dances. The Jive, Fox Trot, Cha Cha, and Rock and Roll etc were popular dance steps.
The ever green Waltz was all the more popular as it gave couples a chance to hold each other closely and dance cheek to cheek!!! In between the dances the men would disappear to have a small ‘sly tot’ to recharge their batteries. The dances would go on throughout the night and sometimes end only at 5 O’clock the next morning, when they would head straight to Church for Mass.
Sadly, all these good times have now come to an end with the closing of the Mines. However, the New Year Eve Ball in KGF is still the talk of the town and people attend the same from Bangalore, Madras etc.

The May Pole Dance - Memories of KGF School

2011-11-23T04:24:00.001-08:00

My first teacher in KGF School was Mrs Borthwick who was the Baby Class teacher as well as the music teacher. She would play the piano during the Singing Class, and also for us to dance the May Pole. Dancing the Maypole was such a delightful experience, watching the coloured streamers / ribbons intercrossing and interlacing each other and forming beautiful myriad designs. The dancers had to keep changing their positions in time to the music in order to weave the required design. It was truly a sight to behold. When she struck the first Chord on the Piano it was the signal for us to bow to our partners. On the second chord we would go to the May Pole and each one would pick up their streamer / ribbon. We would wind it around our waists, and stand still till she struck the next chord. We had to stand in a circle a distance away from the May Pole so that the streamers / ribbons would be quite taut She would then play a tune and we had to change our positions in time to the music to weave and create a most wonderful design. At the end of the tune all the dancers would be near the Pole with shortened ribbons / streamers but under a most beautiful canopy woven by them.

Actually I have'nt seen a Maypole again after I left the KGF School all those years ago. I managed to get a picture of the May Pole from Google Images which I'm sharing above so that those who haven't seen or heard of a May Pole would have an idea of it.

This was the Singing Room as well as the MayPole Room in KGF School when I studied there in the 1950s. There was a lovely Grand Piano in this Room which seems to have disappeared many years ago.

THE TAYLORS KGF TRIP ON 9TH NOV 2011 - Email from Patrick

2011-11-13T04:21:00.001-08:00

From: Patrick Taylor To: Bridget kumar Sent: Thursday, November 10, 2011 10:43 PM
Subject: KGF

Dear Bridget

Heather and I are now home again. We have had a great flight home; no hitches and we are well although a bit weary. We have absolutely loved our holiday in India, and in particular yesterday which really was the crescendo to a most wonderful 2 weeks.

I am so grateful to you for all that you have done to help so many people remember their time at the KGF. Your book is a wonderful statement of a lifestyle that sadly no longer exists but we can remember with great fondness. Over the past few weeks since we first made contact, you have been so kind to guide me and help us with our prospective visit; and yesterday, it all came to reality.

I very much appreciated meeting Richard, Nicky and Philip. It seems so wonderful that they are really the John Taylors of the current day. I shall definitely be buying some shares in their company, and thereby maintaining an active interest in their progress. I was so interested to learn what they are doing. It was great.

Then, our visit to KGF was a mixture of sadness and joy. I was sad to see the state of the old hospital and of so many of the old houses. Such a shame that it has all been allowed to go to ruin. As Heather said to me on the plane: would it not make a wonderful week-end retreat for the people of Bangalore. Some property developer should take up the challenge to revive that wonderful area with its gracious houses, golf course and with so much potential. I shall keep dreaming!

I loved going to the convent and seeing my old home. Although the house had seen better times, it was lovely to see the wonderful job the nuns are doing there with the children. There was so much love in that place that made me happy to see the house being used in that way. The children were so full of joy; lovely smiles. I am glad that I have captured some of them on film. I will send some to you for onward posting in due course.

Of course, it was sad to see the other house that I lived in. Seeing that man working in that grim room, and the decay of the rest of the house with those awful guards gave a feeling of almost evil in the air. That was the bad part of the day but one that was so worthwhile to see. If India is to progress as a world economic power and a great democracy, that sort of inefficiency and corruption must one day be eradicated.

Then of course the KGF Club! How sad to see it in such a sad state but the smiles on the faces of the men there will stay with me for the rest of my life. I was so touched that they came there to see me. I shall be hugely grateful if you would let me have the name of the old boy who knew my father. He was so loving and great. I would love to write to him to say a big thank you. Is there any chance that one d ay you could tell me how I could send him a letter?

Altogether yesterday will go down for me as one of the most important days of my life and I have you to thank for that, Bridget. Heather loved it all too. You were so kind to give us a copy of your cookery books and to make those sandwiches. You are a star, and I am so grateful.

I can’t see myself staying away for another 55 years! It may be 55 weeks, or slightly more but I shall definitely try to get back before too long. We must try to develop a UK based KGF community. One thought I have had is to see if we could set up a UK based charity to provide funding and support for St Joseph’s Convent School. It would be a lovely thing to do if we could help to make a difference.

Anyway, Bridget, I have rambled on enough for now. Heather and I loved meeting you and Ashok. I am sorry the hotel let us down somewhat but we loved meeting him, and I look forward to meeting again before too long.

Thank you also for spending your wedding anniversary with us. There are so many things to thank you for.

Oh what a memorable day. I will be back. I have only just started!

With love and God bless you

Patrick

Nostalgic Visit of Patrick and Heather Taylor to KGF on 9th November 2011 along with Bridget White-Kumar

2011-11-10T05:56:00.001-08:00

I was pleasantly surprised about a month ago to receive this email from Mr. Patrick Taylor from the UK.

“Dear Bridget

My name is Patrick Taylor. I am in the process of reading your fascinating book on the KGF. My father, Arthur, a partner in the firm of John Taylor & Sons, was in charge of the mines during my early childhood, when I lived on the KGF for 7 years before returning to England for my education. Now 63 years old, I have never returned to India but my wife and I are coming to the KGF in November. I would be most interested to meet you if that would be possible. I have many happy memories of my early life in India and for me this trip will definitely be a trip down memory lane. It will be greatly enhanced if I can have the benefit of learning from your knowledge of the place that was the foundation of my life. Warm regards
Patrick Taylor

Patrick and his wife Heather were in Bangalore on the 8^th November and the next day I accompanied them on a trip ‘Down Memory Lane to KGF’. We started our trip with a visit to the new exploration site of the Kolar Gold Company at Chickregunta near Kuppam.

We were accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Richard Johnson and Phillip Dingle. Phillip and Mr. Richards made our trip to the new exploration site truly memorable. It was a fascinating opportunity for us of looking into the future and seeing a new Gold Mining area taking shape. It was also a glimpse into the past, as to how the pioneers of our present day Kolar Gold Fields once explored and prospected for gold in a rocky barren area to what it finally evolved into. It was a pleasure meeting Raymond Cruze, Mr Gupta and all the Staff of Kolar Gold Company. Sincere thanks to Mr.and Mrs. Richard Johnson, Phillip Dingle and all the other staff of Kolar Gold Company for making our visit to the new exploration site a memorable one.

Patrick was quite nostalgic when we visited the St Joseph’s Convent. The Nuns were so thrilled to have him visit them. They said the ‘son of the house’ has come to visit them. The nuns house at the Convent was earlier the residence of Mr Arthur Taylor, the General of the John Taylor and Company.

Many will recall that St Joseph’s Convent School was earlier functioning in the premises of St Mary’s Church compound (now Our Lady of Victories Church) in Champion Reefs. The school building was a simple structure with a tin roof. However, due to the massive Rock Burst of Earth Quake proportions in 1952, the St Mary’s Church, the presbytery, the Convent and the School Buildings all collapsed to the ground. Luckily, no one was injured and no lives were lost. But the buildings were completely destroyed.

Mr. Morgan, The Chief Medical Officer of the Company Hospital, rushed to help the Sisters and took them to the Hospital premises. He vacated one of the wards to accommodate them for the day. That evening he arranged for their indefinite stay at the Bungalow of the General Manager of the Mines, Mr. Arthur Taylor in Champion Reefs, who was away in England on a holiday at the time. The nuns were given half of the main house as their temporary abode. Even though this bungalow was huge and quite spacious it was insufficient to accommodate the Convent and the school with so many students. So while half of the main house, the garage and servants quarters were made use of for the Convent, the classes were held under the trees and in temporary sheds.

When Mr. Arthur Taylor, returned to KGF from the UK he and his family shifted to another Bungalow near the Golf Course which now houses the Mining Offices. The Bungalow and the adjacent land was thus sold to the St Joseph’s Convent Nuns. It became the nun’s living quarters and in course of time an extension was added to it to accommodate the Community. The school slowly expanded and huge class rooms were built around the nun’s house on the land given to the school by the Company. The old house as Patrick remembered it still in the same beautiful condition today and lovingly maintained by the Sisters of St Joseph of Tarbes

We then went back to KGF and visited various places around Champion Reefs, such as Our Lady of Victories Church, the Champion Reefs Post Office, the Reservoir, the Champion Reefs Work Shops, the Imperial Bakery and the Hospital. Patrick was very sad to see the deplorable state of the Hospital where he recalled being treated for various childhood illnesses and also to have his hand sutured when he cut it while banging on a glass door.

He was also very dejected to see the state of Mr J K Lindsay's once beautiful bungalow. He remembered the beautiful spiral starcase in the house and playing on the lovely green lawns. This bungalow was later the J K Lindsay Memorial School. It was after the school was shifted back to the Parkinson Memorial premises in Oorgaum and the place was lying vacant, that vandals has destroyed the place and stollen everything of value including he doors and windows. The building is now the SC/ ST Association Office.

Patrick also visited the other Bungalow near the Golf Course where his family shifted after their return from their holiday in the UK in 1952. He was however quite sad to see it as it looked quite run down even though the Mining Offices are housed in it. Never the less this house also evoked a lot of Nostalgia and he recalled many happy incidents of his short stay there as he left for the UK in a couple of years.

St Michael’s and All Angel’s Church was also on his list of places to visit and he was very happy to visit the Church which he remembered going to. He spent sometime in the Church speaking to the Church Representatives Mr. Nathan and Mr. Moses who presented him and me with a copy of the Centenary Souvenir.

The KGF Club was the highlight of his visit. Mr. Kotnise, the President and Mr. Nathan, Secretary of the KGF Club welcomed Mr. and Mrs. Taylor and interacted with them. Patrick was immensely pleased to see the photographs of his Great grandfather John Taylor and all his other Taylor Ancestors displayed on the walls of the Conference Room of the Club.

He and his wife stood under the photograph of his Great grandfather John Taylor in the Main Bar and clicked many photographs.

He was pleased to meet Susai Raj, the old Bar man of the KGF Club. Susai Raj is now 88 years old but his memory was quite fresh when narrating various incidents connected with the Taylor Family.

Soon it was time to leave KGF as the Taylor’s had to catch the early morning flight back to the United Kingdom. With heavy hearts they bid goodbye to KGF and promised to visit again sometime. I was immensely pleased that their visit to KGF went off well and all the arrangements made by me for their visit were appreciated by them.

Felicitation Function at the TAMIL SANGHAM office in KGF on 28th October 2011

2011-11-03T05:55:00.000-07:00

I was invited by Mr Kalaiarasan, President of the Tamil Sangham in KGF to visit their Office at the Tamil Sangham Office in Robertsonpet KGF on the 28th of October 2011. During the a small Get Together, the members of the Sangham felicitated me on my book KOLAR GOLD FIELDS DOWN MEMORY LANE. It was indeed an honour and I felt very humbled and grateful for the affection and warm appreciation showered on me by all those present.Thank you Mr Kalaiarasan, Mr. Anbuarasam, Mr Prabhu and all the others who were present on the occasion. God bless you all.

The Newspaper Article featuring me in THE DINASUDAR Tamil Newspaper is appended below.

PIPED WATER TO KGF FROM BETHAMANGALA WATER WORKS

2011-10-23T23:42:00.000-07:00

This is an excerpt from my book KOLAR GOLD FIELDS DOWN MEMORY LANE

Bethamangalam is a small town located on the banks of the Palar River in Kolar District and was earlier known as ‘Vedamangalam’ or ‘Vedapuri’. It is located about 5 miles south east of KGF and is the underground water source of the Palar River. In 1903, a huge man-made lake in Bethamangalam was constructed to supply filtered water to the Kolar Gold Mines. Two huge reservoirs were constructed to store and suppy a million imperial gallons a day to the mines in Kolar Gold Fields. The Jewell Export Filter Company of New York was given the contract to supply and install the necessary fittings and equipment at the plant, for the complete purification system.

The purification system was fitted with 4 circular filters each having a bed of 3.5 feet in depth and 17 feet in diameter and filtered water was pumped from the reservoir in Bethamangalam through steel pipes to huge tanks in Champion Reefs near the Company Mining Hospital where it was then distributed to all the mines. The actual quantity of water consumed by each mine was registered and recorded by a Venturi Meter on the main pipe line. (This water supply from Bethamangalam continued right up to the time the mines were officially closed in 2001).

Soon Bethamangalam became a popular sailing and picnic spot for the British population in KGF. A Sailing Club was established here around 1905, and it had a good number of Britishers and Europeans as members. A beautiful Club House was constructed, which had a well stocked Bar, a reading room, a Billiards and Snooker Room as well as a Swimming Pool. The Sailing Club had a fleet of canoes and Row boats, and served as a berth for private boats and canoes also.

The Bethamangalam Sailing Club House was also famous for another reason. It seems that a British lady named Molly Manley was the first person to introduce the word game of 'Scrabble', to the British and Anglo-Indian populace of Kolar Gold Field in the early 1900s. Scrabble had only recently come into existence and it caught on fast with the British. They usually played this game sitting around a table, under a large tree, outside the Bethamangalam Sailing Club House, sipping their drinks and enjoying their snacks while they spelled and formed words and had a lot of fun.

The Sailing Club closed up when the British Left India and the Club House was later converted into the Government Guest House after India’s Independence and is still in use today.

KOLAR GOLD FIELDS DOWN ME ORY LANE - Book Reading Session held at the Select Book Shop, Brigade Road, Bangalore on 8th October 2011.

2011-10-09T00:59:00.000-07:00

The Book Reading Session on my book KOLAR GOLD FIELDS DOWN MEMORY LANE organized at the Select Book Store Bangalore was a very pleasant and nostalgic occasion. I would like to first of all extend my sincere thanks to Mr. Murthy and his son Mr. Sanjay for organizing and hosting this wonderful session. The ambience and décor of the Select Book Shop really added to the nostalgia of the session. Thanks also to Suma whose, introductory speech set the trend for the session. My Special thanks to Navin Thomas who arranged this meeting with Mr. Murthy in the first place.

I was happy to see my old friends Tony Lobo and Bernard Manuel who shared a lot of their memories of KGF with the other guests present on the occasion . Bernard spoke of his grand dad who owned the Lazarus Bakery in KGF in the olden days and was very famous with the British and Anglo-Indian population of KGF and of his dear dad Jossy Manuel who was also famous for his delicious cakes and pastries. Mr Jossy Manuel would even oblige people by coming to their homes and baking their Christmas cakes and puddings for them!!!.

Mr. Niranjan Murthy and Mr. K R Krishna Murthy, two very senior Engineers of the mines who were contemporaries of my dad Sydney White shared a lot of valuable information and their experiences of working in KGF with us. It was great having them at the Session.
Mr. Elangovan, a practicing lawyer in Bangalore and an ex-student of KGF School reminisced about KGF School and especially of the teachers and head masters who were responsible for instilling sterling values in him. He made special mention of my aunts Miss White and Mrs. Morris and also of Mrs. Godfrey and Mr. Dudley Pinto and recalled fond memories of his school days.
Wing Commander ‘Kojak’ Bhat who incidentally never lived in KGF but has visited KGF many times also shared a lot of information with the crowd.

Rohit Fernandes who never ever went to KGF but was fascinated by my book attended the session with his parents who listened spell bound to the discussions and interactions. Thanks Rohit.

All in all it was a lovely homely, interactive and nostalgic session and I would like to thank everyone who attended it for their love and affection shown to me. Their strong emotional attachment to KGF was evident in their memories.

BOOK READING SESSION ON KOLAR GOLD FIELDS DOWN MEMORY LANE

2011-09-30T05:14:00.000-07:00

BOOK READING SESSION

SELECT BOOK SHOP on Brigade Road, has organized a Book Reading Session by Bridget White on her book “Kolar Gold Fields – Down Memory Lane – Paeans to lost glory”, on Saturday 8th October 2011 at 5 PM

Bridget White-Kumar was born and brought up in Kolar Gold Fields, a small mining town in the erstwhile Mysore State which was famous for its Colonial ambiance. This book is a small attempt on her part to record for posterity, the history and way of life of the old Kolar Gold Fields.

“Kolar Gold Fields – Down Memory Lane - Paeans to lost glory”, undertakes a nostalgic journey of almost 150 years, right from the days of the origins of the Kolar Gold Mines, its historical and mythological connections, the growth of the mines under the British Company of John Taylor and Sons till the ultimate closure of the once prosperous Kolar Gold Mining Company in 2003. Thus ending a golden chapter in History, which now lies buried in the annals of time. It then moves on to give the reader a brief insight into the lives of the Anglo-Indian Community in the early days of KGF and finally focuses on the author’s own childhood memories of growing up as a young Anglo-Indian child in KGF in the 1950s and 60s.

The book succeeds in capturing and preserving for posterity the nuances and ethos of a bygone era in that once glorious vibrant place called Kolar Gold Fields, and at the same time keeps it alive in the hearts of its erstwhile inhabitants, which still beats for it.

The book is priced at Rs. 260.00 per copy

Venue: The Select Book Store

71, Brigade Road Cross

Bangalore 56001

(Landmarks: Near Prabhu Digitals and Victory Dry Cleaners)

Time: 5.00 PM

Contact: 25580770 / 30521906

‘New Imperial Bakery and Victory Confectionery Stores’ in Champion Reefs.

2011-09-27T05:08:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of the ‘New Imperial Bakery and Victory Confectionery Stores’ in Champion Reefs which is situated just opposite the Company Hospital. This Store in the good old days, was any child’s delight with huge glass bottles filled with different kinds of sweets, biscuits, toffees, stick jaws, buns etc. The Egg Sweets, ‘Wording sweets’, lollipops, Jujips, Almond Sweets, etc were all so delicious and enticing. Since it was just opposite the hospital, no hospital visit was complete without visiting this delightful place. Parents often had to bribe their kids to take their medicines with promises of goodies from the New Imperial Bakery. Besides these exciting sweets in bottles, the trays of Mutton and Vegetable Puffs, Buns, biscuits, cookies and other savouries was a gourmet's delight.

Our daily bread was also ‘home delivered’ every day at 4 o’clock in the evening. The ‘Bread Man’ brought the freshly baked loaves in a large Wooden Box tied on the carrier of his bicycle. This bread was delivered from this ‘New Imperial Bakery and Victory Confectionery Stores’ for more than 35 years!! The loaves of bread were always still hot from the oven when he brought them. These loaves were sold whole not sliced and just before dinner every night my mum would slice the loaf and leave it on the table for us. Like the mincing machine, each Anglo-Indian family had their own bread board and bread knife to slice the bread.

The payment for the bread that was delivered every day was done on a monthly basis. Every house had their own page in the ‘Bread Man’s’ long account book, and entries would be made as to the number of loaves of bread and buns bought by them against the date. During the first week of the succeeding month, the representative of the ‘New Imperial Bakery and Stores’ would make the rounds for receiving payment of the bread delivered during the month.

The bakery also made special Hot Cross Buns filled with plums for Good Friday and our Baker would deliver them along with the bread on Maundy Thursday. We’d have to place an order as to the number of buns required about 10 days in advance. Since Good Friday was the day of fasting and abstinence we normally ate these Hot Cross buns for breakfast and dinner with a little butter.

ELECTRIFICATION OF THE KGF MINES - KGF was the first Mining Industry in Asia to get Electricity in 1902

2011-09-05T22:37:00.000-07:00

An Excerpt from my Book KOLAR GOLD FIELDS DOWN MEMORY LANE

From the inception of the mines in 1880 until the year 1902 all the machinery in the Kolar Gold Mines were worked by steam power. Feeling the need for captive electric power, The John Taylor and Sons Company prevailed upon the British Government in Mysore to provide Electric power to the Company to meet its huge need for electricity, for running the machines and various other needs. The Cauvery Power Scheme was thus initiated in 1900 by the Mysore Government, under K Seshadri Iyer, the then Diwan of Mysore. The credit however, for the Cauvery Falls Power Works was attributed to Captain Lotbiniere R.E., the then Deputy Chief Engineer of the Mysore Government.

The initiating of the Cauvery Power Scheme has also been recorded in The Karnataka State Gazette, Mandya District as follows: ‘The Mysore Government decided to investigate the practicality of generating power at Shivanasamudram Falls Site and enlisted the services of Colonel Campbell, the Chief Engineer at Madras for the same with the cooperation of the Madras Government. The Chief Engineer took a very favourable view of the potential of the project. In June 1899, the Deputy Chief Engineer of Mysore, after studying the details of the power installation at the Niagara Falls (in North America), was convinced of the idea of working the machinery at the Kolar Gold Fields with the electricity generated by the Cauvery falls.

The scheme received the hearty support of Seshadri Iyer and Colonel Campbell. M/S John Taylor & Sons of London, who had the general control on KGF also supported the scheme. The government decided to utilise the head of the falls for hydro-electric power and its transmission for the service of industrial undertaking in the state of Mysore, inclusive of KGF, in 1899 “.

The first major Hydro Electric Generating Station for commercial operations was thus commissioned in 1889 at Shivasamudram, near Mysore, The longest transmission line, at the highest voltage in the world, was constructed exclusively to meet the power needs of mining operations at Kolar Gold Fields.

The work on the Cauvery Power Works Station at Shivasamudram was completed by the middle of 1902. The 30^th of June 1902, was a Red Letter Day in the history of Mysore State and the Kolar Gold Mines. It was on this day, 4000 H.P. of Electric Energy was transmitted from the Cauvery Falls Power Station at Shivasumudram through the longest transmission line to Kolar Gold Fields for the first time. Thus the erstwhile Mysore State, became the first State in India, to establish such a huge Hydro-Electric Plant.

It has been further recorded in the Karnataka Gazetteer that: quote “The first Hydro-electric power station in Asia was set up when the British Resident General Donald Robertson in Mysore launched the 700 KW Hydroelectric Station which transmitted power to KGF on 30^th June 1902”. Unquote.

KGF was thus supplied with electric power from Shivasamudram in 1902. It was the first time in Asia that electricity was generated and supplied, through a transmission line that was more than 80 miles long. It was the longest transmission line in the world at that time - the second longest was at the Niagara Falls which was only 13 miles long!

The BGML MINING HOSPITAL KGF

2011-08-27T05:51:00.000-07:00

THE KGF COMPANY HOSPITAL

The John Taylor and Sons Company with the co-operation of the O’Donnell brothers, Dr T J O’Donnell and J D O’Donnell, established a well equipped hospital in 1880, to cater to the medical needs and emergencies of the miners and their families. It was centrally located in Champion Reefs. Dr T J O’Donnell was the first Chief Medical Officer of the Hospital and served as the CMO for more than 25 years.

The hospital was staffed with eminent British and Indian doctors and British and Anglo-Indian nurses. The hospital wards were named after the erstwhile British bosses such as Gideon Ward, Henry’s Ward, Morgan ward, etc.. Medical Treatment was provided free of cost for the miners and their families. A well maintained Maternity Unit was also later established in a separate wing of the Hospital.

The Mining Hospital slowly gained the distinction of being the best hospital in the whole of the Kolar district. This Mining Company Hospital was later recognized by the Indian Medical Council as a reputed center for the treatment of Occupational Diseases, such as Tuberculosis, Silicosis, etc. This photograph of the Hospital was taken in 1930.

As with all other aspects of KGF, there was a small legend attached to the Mining Hospital as well. The legend states that the British built a small temple dedicated to the Goddess Mariamma at the side of the Hospital. She was considered to be the Goddess of Small Pox and Chicken Pox as well as other summer heat related diseases such as measles and mumps.

The workers prevailed upon the British owners of the Company to build this small temple near the hospital to appease the Goddess and seek her blessings, so that she wouldn’t get angry at being deprived of curing people without medicines!!! People visiting the hospital would visit the temple and pray to her to look after their family members who were ill in hospital.

Today this Hospital with its once expensive equipment and more than 200 beds has been shut. Most of the medical equipment has been stolen. The hospital wards named after the erstwhile British bosses such as Gideon Ward, Henry’s Ward, Morgan ward, etc., are completely denuded of the beds and furniture and the hospital now resembles a haunted building, and is slowly falling down in parts. Its so sad to think that “This Hospital” which was once the best hospital in the whole Kolar District which saved the lives of so many people has now died.

The Champion Reefs Workshops KGF established in 1900

2011-08-10T05:58:00.000-07:00

The Champion Reefs Workshops were established in 1900 to carry out all the major engineering work of the Champion Reef Mine. This picture shows it in all its glory in its hey days

This photograph taken in the year 2001 shows signs of its neglect when the mines were shut down

The final requeim. The Champion Reefs Workshops in its present neglected and sad state

THE KGF GOLF CLUB / GYMKHANA CLUB

2011-07-28T21:51:00.000-07:00

The KGF Golf / Gymkhana Club was established by the British Mining Company John Taylor and Sons in 1885 with a 12 Hole Golf Course and a Beautiful Victorian Club House. The Club House was equipped with a traditional bar, a library, a ballroom with a sprung floor, snooker and billiard rooms and tennis courts, which were all built and completed in a period of just six months. This Club was the first club to be established in KGF and is ranked as the 4th oldest Golf Club in India. It had its own Polo, Golf and Hockey teams, In those days, the club was totally out of bounds for the Indians, and only the British and Europeans could become members. The Club house and the 12 Hole Golf Course was built in just 6 months by the vast labour force in KGF at that time.

Because of the hilly terrain of KGF, the 12 Hole Golf course was located in a winding treeless landscape. Unlike other Golf courses which have Putting Greens the KGF Golf Club had no Putting Greens. Instead it had ‘Browns’ constructed of river sand in place of greens.

The KGF Club House has a regal Colonial ambience. The old Club house that is more than a century old, was built of stone quarried from the area itself. It had strong dark teak wood doors and windows with solid brass handles, hinges and knobs. These handles and knobs were constantly polished by the club servants in those days and shone like gold. These fittings as well as the sterling silver cutlery and the beautiful crockery with the Club’s emblem were all brought specially from England, when the club was constructed by the British.

The KGF Club also had the distinction of having an exclusive “Ladies Bar” just off the main lounge. The British and European ladies made good use of this lounge and enjoyed their drinks while catching up with the latest news and exchanging gossip with their friends.. The Ladies lounge also had a huge grand piano and the ladies invariably gathered around it singing all the old songs and ballads while one of them played the piano. The club was surrounded by a beautiful garden with well maintained sprawling lawns and flower beds. The serene surroundings with the golf course on the side looked like a picture from an old English Countryside.

The foyer of the club has many deer and bison heads on its walls. There are also a number of framed photographs of all the old Superintendents and Chairmen of the Mines starting with Mr. John Taylor in the lounge of the club. Besides these there are a lot of other photographs as well.

One particular faded sepia print of smiling Britishers standing around an iron bucket on one of the walls of the lounge draws one’s attention. The old Bar man Susairaj was often willing to share the story behind this photograph to anyone who was interested in listening even if it meant repeating the story any number of times.

According to Susairaj’s story, when the KGF Golf Club came into existence, and a new club house was built, and the 12 Hole Golf Course was laid, the Club hosted the first KGF Gymkhana Golf Tournament. However the organizers forgot to arrange for a suitable Trophy for the first Tournament. It was quite an embarrassing moment when it was time to award the winner and there was no trophy to be given. They just improvised by using an old cast iron bucket with the words ‘The Cup’ painted on it. The old picture is of the winning team posing with the trophy of the very first tournament.

Like the rest of KGF, there are visible signs of deterioration in this once prestigious Club. The Bar is not so well stocked now and soft drinks are served in a bottle with a drinking straw and paper napkins. The snacks and short eats that the club was so famous for in the old days have been replaced with small packets of store bought nuts and fries. The mounted Antlers and Horns still adorn the foyer of the club. However, the beautiful garden surrounding the Club has disappeared, the grand Piano in the erstwhile ‘Ladies Bar’ now lies unused and in need of repairs. The brass door knobs and handles no longer shine, the beautiful crockery and cutlery with the Club’s monogram have all disappeared and now replaced with ordinary ones.

The Club still has almost 600 members on the rolls. The members still enjoy their rounds of Golf and visit the Club for a game of Billiards and Snooker and enjoy a drink in the not so well stocked Bar!!!

THE BOY SCOUTS MOVEMENT IN KGF

2011-07-20T01:31:00.000-07:00

The Boy Scouts Movement was started in India by the British as early as 1909 in Bangalore but it was open only to British and Foreign Scouts. In 1916, the Indian Boy Scouts Association was founded and was open to all Indians.

In 1929, Mr. V.N. M. Felix, who was a Malaria Inspector, attached to the Sanitary Department, Champion Reefs, founded The 5th Kolar Gold Fields (St. Mary’s) Open Scout Group, that functioned from the Champion Reefs Scout Den until the late 1980s. Scouts from this Den attended many state and national level camps under the leadership of Mr. Felix. Scout meetings were held regularly on Saturday evenings. The Scouts and Guides movement in KGF was quite active under Mr. V.N.M. Felix, who was the Scout Master in KGF. He was a short thin man with a huge white mustache. He wore his khaki shorts and shirt and the Scouts tie, scarf and stockings with pride. Besides, training the young boys to be scouts he also started the Bulbul Movement for the girls. Mr.S. A. Bayley, a British Officer, who was the Chief Cashier and Accountant in Nandidroog mines was the Vice-President, K.G.F. District Scout Association in the 1940s and 50s. His contribution to the growth and popularity of the Scout movement in K.G.F. was significant. In 1946 he was awarded the ‘Silver Elephant’ (which is the highest award in Scouting in India) by the then Chief Scout His Highness The Maharaja of Mysore! The Boy and Cub Scout Movement was active in the K.G.F. School up to the 1950s then went into decline.

In 1962, Mr. Dudley Pinto took over as the Head Master of the School from Mr. Sterling. Incidentally, Mr. Pinto was the Group Leader and District Scout Master at the Southern Railway Mixed High School (English Medium) in Khargpur, West Bengal, where he worked until 1961. In 1966 some students prevailed upon Mr. Pinto to revive the Boy Scouts group in the KGF School. Accordingly, a Scout Group with about 20 boys was formed with Mr. Pinto as Scout Master in KGF School. Mr. Felix and Mr. George Bastian of the St. Mary’s Scout Den, Champion Reefs, were closely associated with the Scout activities of the KGF School.

In 1967, Mysore State celebrated the Golden Jubilee of Scouting at the Central training Camp in Doddaballapur in which the Scout group from the school participated. A two day Scout Camp was also conducted by Mr. Felix at Bethamangalam for the scouts of the KGF School. The Scouts movement was quite active for a few more years, but with the departure of Mr. Pinto from K.G.F. School, the Scout Movement was overtaken by the NC

These pictures of the 2 day Scout Camp at Bethamangala in 1967 attended by the Boy Scouts from KGF School were very kindly given to me by Mr Ravindra Kumar who now lives in Chennai when I was bringing out my book on KGF. Thanks Ravi.

THIS IS AN EXCERPT FROM MY BOOK KOLAR GOLD FIELDS DOWN MEMORY LANE.

The Skating Rink , (Nandydroog Mine KGF)

2011-07-10T07:21:00.000-07:00

The Skating Rink was diagonally opposite our house and next door to the Nandydroog Club. The Skating Rink was the only big Auditorium or Party Hall in KGF at the time and was the most popular venue for Wedding Receptions, Parties, Get-togethers, School Functions and Concerts, Musical recitals, Meetings, Dances etc. The Christmas Dances, May Queen Balls, Easter Ball, June Rose Balls, The Anglo-Indian Association’s Annual General Meeting and Ball, New Years Eve Ball, Independence Day Ball, The Republic Day celebrations etc, were all held at the Skating Rink. A function was held there practically every month and it was a famous landmark for all in KGF.

In the olden days this hall was used for Ice Skating and Roller Skating by the British. The floor was as smooth as silk and was an amazing dance floor. Just before a dance, chalk powder would be strewn on the floor to facilitate easy dancing movements for the dancers. Besides being used as a hall for functions and dances, the Skating Rink was also an indoor Shuttle Badminton Court. We would regularly play shuttle here during the holidays.

Sadly, the Skating Rink which stood the ravages of time for well over a hundred years is now in shambles. The inner walls are all crumbling and the false ceiling of Tatty Cane is worn out in several places. However people still continue to hold their functions in it and camouflage the interiors walls with huge coloured Cloth and decorations. It will always remain their ‘dear old Skating Rink’

A FEATURE ON ME IN THE HINDU - 3rd June 2011

2011-07-09T06:06:00.000-07:00

A FEATURE ON ME IN THE HINDU
- The Hindu Life & Style » Metroplus 3rd June 2011
http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/metroplus/article2071072.ece?sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4de87550968c3fe0%2C0

A Passage to Colonial India

Bridget White-Kumar takes Mini Anthikad-Chhibber through the delicately spiced pages of history into a world of memsahibs, cucumber sandwiches, kedgeree and khansama

Stepping into Bridget White-Kumar's house just off the busy Koramangala Ring Road is to step into another world altogether. There are the flowering trees, plants, shrubs, lovebirds all flourishing in a riotous symmetry. The old world charm of the house with its glass showcases, the colourful aquarium with its plump, brilliantly-hued fish is an echo of Bridget's life-long project of preserving the Anglo-Indian legacy through its cuisine.

Having written seven recipe books including the latest, “Vegetarian Delicacies” and a book on Kolar Gold Fields, where she was born — “Kolar Gold Fields – Down Memory Lane – Paeans to lost Glory,” Bridget is doing her bit to see that a way of life does not pass off into the dusty pages of history.

“It all started when my daughter, Kusum, was going to England to study,” says Bridget with a smile. “I wrote her a small recipe book. The original little black book! There were recipes for regular cooking like rice, curries and snacks. When Kusum returned, she said all her friends had enjoyed the food. That Easter, while we were eating the traditional Easter lunch, my daughter said these recipes would die out unless they were recorded. That got me thinking and I set about collecting recipes.”

Collating recipes handed down from her mother and grandmother, Bridget soon had a wealth of information about Anglo-Indian recipes. “I sent the manuscript around and Roli Books showed interest. But it was all taking too much time. I decided to pick out the most famous Anglo-Indian dishes and publish it myself.”

And that is how “The Best of Anglo-Indian Cuisine – A Legacy” was born. “I tempted readers with the picture of classic Anglo Indian dishes — coconut rice, devil chutney and ball curry, on the cover,” Bridget says with a laugh. The book was a super success. The other books followed including “Flavours of the Past” with colonial favourites such as Railway mutton curry.

After her graduation in Kolar, Bridget came to Bangalore to do her B.Ed, which is where she met her husband. “He was my first cooking instructor! He taught me to strain rice. I asked my mother and mother-in-law for recipes. “Since my husband is from Guntur in Andhra Pradesh, known for its fiery cooking, and I am Anglo-Indian, my cooking was a fusion of the two. I started off with simple dishes and then graduated to more complicated recipes. My first big success was the biryani, which was not too bland nor was it too spicy or too rich. I realised ethnic cooking is dying out and needs to be preserved.”

About the legacy of Anglo-Indian food, Bridget says: “Roasts, stews, bakes, sandwiches and white bread, fish and chips, cutlets, croquettes, sausages, bacon, ham, egg variants, puddings, custards, became part of the Anglo-Indian culinary repertoire. The Sunday English breakfast of eggs, bacon and kippers, toast, cheese, butter, jams, and English roast dinners complete with steamed vegetables, roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding and gravy, English sausages, colloquially known as bangers with mash, became very common in Anglo-Indian homes.” Anglo-Indian cuisine has a strong Scottish influence too. “The bread pudding, treacle pudding, mince and tatties, steak and kidney pie and of course kedgeree (kichdi) are a result of the cross pollination between cultures.”

Anglo-Indian food should not be looked at as a homogenous entity, Bridget says. “The recipes are an amalgamation of the tastes and spices of the region. So the Anglo-Indian cuisine from Bengal will have more sea food and mustard oil while the cuisine from landlocked Kolar would feature more meat.”

Bridget took VRS from Canara Bank after working for 23 years. She says she is busier than before.

She started a blog on KGF “four to five years ago. Every time I visited, I saw the deterioration. I felt the nostalgia and the need to preserve the story of KGF for coming generations”. That is how “Kolar Gold Fields – Down Memory Lane – Paeans to lost Glory” was born. An easy read, the book effortlessly brings to life the world of dances, food and hard work.

As I look through Bridget's collection of recipes, written by her mum and grandmother on little pieces of paper and also flip through this rare, old book, “Original Madras Cookery” published in 1874 written by an anonymous British Resident's wife I am transported to a world of khansamas, mulligatawny soup, bone china tea services and delicately-sliced cucumber and chutney sandwiches. At my back I can hear the insistent hum of Koramangala traffic as it speeds down our very own information highway. It is however nice to sometimes take a break and indulge in some heavy duty Raj nostalgia.

Mini Anthikad-Chhibber

http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/metroplus/article2071072.ece?sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4de87550968c3fe0%2C0

KGF FIRST GRADE COLLEGE - OORGAUM KGF

2011-06-02T06:48:00.000-07:00

Excerpt from my book KOLAR GOLD FIELDS DOWN MEMORY LANE - Paeans to lost glory!!!!

. The KGF First Grade College was started in 1962 to cater to the higher educational needs of the predominantly socially challenged communities of KGF comprising mostly of children of the mine workers since they couldn’t afford to send their children to Bangalore or Mysore for their college education.
The Government of Mysore established an Undergraduate College known as the KGF First Grade College in Oorgaum in the year 1965, which was affiliated to the University of Mysore and then later to the Bangalore University. This Government run First Grade College admitted every student seeking admission to the Pre-University and Degree Courses irrespective of whichever school they came from, provided they had passed the SSLC and PUC examinations. It was a secular institution where all the students were treated equally irrespective of their social standing and religion.
I was privileged to study in this College for my BA during the years 1969 to 1974. I am grateful to my teachers and lecturers in the college for what I am today.

LINDSAY MEMORIAL SCHOOL

2011-05-24T23:56:00.000-07:00

This is an excerpt from my book KOLAR GOLD FIELDS DOWN MEMORY LANE

The KGF Boys’ School was established in 1900, by the John Taylor and Sons Company, to cater to the educational needs of the European and Anglo-Indian children, who were earlier tutored at home or “home schooled” by Nannies and Governesses brought in by the British Officers from the UK. These Home teachers or Governesses could impart only basic education to their wards, while other aspects of a proper school education were missing. A Primary School was first started in the year 1900 at Nandydroog Mine. It was known as the Kolar Gold Fields Boys School, Oorigaum. Subsequently it was upgraded to a Middle School and later into a High School. Eventually, the students appeared for the Lower Cambridge and Senior Cambridge Examinations. Later on when the school became a Government run institution the students appeared for the SSLC Exams.

The KGF Boy’s School continued to function in the original school premises since its inception. In the 1970s when the number of students increased considerably, the School building in Nandydroog Mine was unable to accommodate all the students. A decision was then taken to bifurcate the School into two entities.

The Junior School for Standards 1 to 7 functioned at the same premises in Nandydroog Mine and came to be known as The Parkinson Memorial School after Mrs Parkinson who was the Head Mistress from mid 1920s to the late 1940s.

The High School was shifted to a huge bungalow in Mysore Mine. This bungalow was earlier the residence of Mr J.K. Lindsey who was a former Managing Director of the Mines during the days of the John Taylor and Sons Company. It was a huge beautiful stone bungalow with a wrought Iron Stair case and solid carved stone pillars surrounded by about one and half acres of land This Bungalow could accommodate classes 8 to 10 and was renamed as The Lindsay Memorial High School after him.

However, after a few years, the High School was again shifted back to the old school premises in Nandydroog Mine. The beautiful old bungalow that housed the High School lay abandoned for some time till it became the office of the SC ST Association in Mysore Mine.

It now lies in shambles. The walls are crumbling and the doors and windows have been plundered for firewood. The wrought iron stair way was dismantled and no one knows who stole it. The whole building has been vandalized and only the stone structure remains as a grim reminder of the erstwhile school which used to hum with the voices of a thousand little boys.

Micheal F Lavelle - the first prospector for gold in KGF

2011-05-14T05:28:00.000-07:00

Had a very interesting and enjoyable evening as the guest author at the ibrowse Book club meeting at the Catholic Club. Thanks to Marianne for inviting me. I was very happy meeting all the members and especially Jacky Colaco and her Clan. The interaction on Lavelle Road and Oorgaum house in particular was very interesting and enlighte...ning. Jacky's grand parents Mr and Mrs P G D'souza bought Oorgaum house from Mr M F Lavelle, the first prospector for gold in KGF in the early 1900's. Mr Lavelle named his house " Oorgaum house" after the first shaft he sank in Oorgaum KGF and from where he made his fortune and the road was named as Lavelle Road after him. The whole property of 3 acres was later divided among the 17 children of Mr and Mrs P G D'souza and the place is known as D'souza Layout. The apartments built on the property is named Oorgaum house.

Mr Michael Lavelle has become a 'known person' and some one familiar after yesterday.
For those who do not know who Mr Lavelle is and how he's connected to KGF, here is a small explanation:

THIS IS AN EXCERPT FROM MY BOOK - KOLAR GOLD FIELDS DOWN MEMORY LANE
In 1850, an Irish Soldier, named Michael F. Lavelle, from Bangalore Cantonment, who had recently retired from the British Army, heard about these native mines in a place named Kolar some distance from Bangalore. Michael F. Lavelle had served in the regiment that fought against Tippu Sultan in Srirangapatnam, near Mysore. Since he had nothing better to do, as he had retired from active military duty, he decided to explore the Kolar region and see for himself if the information was true. It is said that he traveled by Bullock Cart from his residence in Bangalore Cantonment to the present day KGF. He was accompanied by his trusted Man Friday. It took him almost a fortnight to traverse the distance of around 60 miles to KGF.
When he reached the place, he was pleasantly surprised to see that the rumours were indeed true. He found old mining equipment and abandoned pits that went down several feet all over the area.
He explored the entire area thoroughly with the help of the local people and acquainted himself with the workings in the abandoned mining pits. He was now fully convinced that the place was a Gold Mine (no pun intended) and that he could make his fortune in this place. He decided therefore to hunt for gold and other precious metals himself. Accordingly, he applied to the Mysore British Government and obtained exclusive prospecting rights from them for mining coal and other metals in 1873 for a period of 20 years. He began mining operations by sinking his first shaft near Urigaum (Oorgaum).
However, even though Mr. M F Lavelle, was successful in mining a little amount of gold, he did not strike as much gold as he had anticipated. He also didn’t have enough money to mine intensively. He then cleverly decided to sell his mining rights for a good sum, as he was the only person who possessed the exclusive rights to mine it. The news spread as he had intended and though many personalities and consortiums contacted him, the offers he received were not up to his expectations.

The following year, a small Syndicate known as the Kolar Concessionaires Soft Corporation and Arbuthnot Company of Madras, heard of Mr. Lavelle’s activities and approached him to sell his mining license to them.

Mr. Lavelle took this opportunity and negotiated with them, for quite a good amount. After obtaining the approval of the Mysore British Government, he transferred all his rights and concessions to this Syndicate known as the Kolar Concessionaries formed by Major General G. de la Poer Beresford and some of his friends.
Mr. Michael F.Lavelle was now a rich man with all the money he got for the sale of his Mining License from the Kolar Concessionaires Soft Corporation and he returned to his residence at Bangalore Cantonment. His successful achievements in gold mining in Kolar and his subsequent affluence made him very popular among the English Residents at Bangalore.
The British Commandant of the Bangalore Cantonment honoured him by naming the road where he lived as ‘Lavelle Road’. He also renamed his house as “Oorgaum House” after his first shaft that he sank in Urigaum, KGF as a reminder of his good fortune. Lavelle Road is still in existence even today. However, many residents of Bangalore in general and Lavelle Road in particular, are unaware of the interesting history of Lavelle Road!!! Just like KGF, the history of Lavelle Road will one day sink into oblivion.

Review in THE BANGALORE MIRROR

2011-05-03T07:06:00.000-07:00

Review of my book on KGF - KOLAR GOLD FIELDS DOWN MEMORY LANE in the Bangalore Mirror

Feature about my KGF Book in The New Indian Express - INDULGE 29th April 2011

2011-04-30T05:21:00.000-07:00

Kolar Gold Fields Down Memory Lane - A Nostalgic Book on KGF - Author Bridget White

2011-04-23T05:01:00.000-07:00

This book “Kolar Gold Fields – Down Memory Lane - Paeans to Lost Glory” has been authored by me as a tribute to KGF and the happy and sublime childhood I spent there.

KGF also known as the Little England was Heaven on earth for those of us who had the privilege of living there. We were special people living in that very special place.

My book succeeds in capturing and preserving for posterity the nuances and ethos of a bygone era. It is a small attempt on my part to record for posterity, way of life in that once glorious vibrant place called Kolar Gold Fields and at the same time keep it alive in the hearts of its erstwhile inhabitants, which still beats for it. It is a small legacy that could / should be passed on to future generations.

For copies of this "Must Have" Book on our beloved KGF, please contact me: Bridget White Kumar
Tel (0091) 080 25504137 / 9845571254 / 9844044236
bridgetkumar@yahoo.com / bidkumar@gmail.com
ABOUT THE BOOK

“Kolar Gold Fields – Down Memory Lane - Paeans to Lost Glory”undertakes a nostalgic journey of almost 150 years right from the days of the origins of the Kolar Gold Mines, its historical and mythological connections, the arduous and difficult lives of the miners in those early days, the growth of the mines under the British Company of John Taylor and Sons, its gradual decline, and the ultimate closure of the once prosperous Kolar Gold Mining Company in 2003 Thus ending a golden chapter in History, which now lies buried in the annals of time.

It then moves on to give the reader a brief insight into the lives of the Anglo-Indian Community (a living legacy of the British Raj) in the early days of KGF. It brings out vividly the glorious and cosmopolitan life led by that tiny vibrant community in KGF who lived in sprawling bungalows with beautiful gardens and domestic helpers at their beck and call. It recalls the grand Christmas Balls and Dances held at the Skating Rink and the Jam Sessions and Pound Parties in Buffalo Lodge.

It finally focuses on the author's childhood memories of growing up as a young Anglo-Indian child in KGF in the 1950s and 60s - home, family, school, playmates, entertainments, games, picnics, etc. It recalls memories of old familiar haunts and landmarks of KGF and the people who were an indispensable part of life in those days. This golden period of KGF post Independence was the period of transition, when the influences of the best of old Colonial India merged with the new emerging independent India.

THE MINERS STATUE NEAR FIVE LIGHTS - KGF

2011-04-10T06:20:00.000-07:00

The Five Lights Lamp Post now has a picturesque landscaped garden maintained by the Bharat Earth Movers Limited around it complete with a beautiful fountain. The garden is resplendent with green lawns and beautiful flowering plants unlike the rest of KGF which is otherwise dry and brown. They have also installed a statue of a miner with a power drill in his hand in the garden as a tribute to all the miners who worked in KGF.

The Bharat Earth Movers Limited have taken over the Nandydroog Mine Workshops close to the Five Lights to manufacture rail coaches and are providing employment to quite a few youngsters in KGF. This part of KGF looks prosperous and well maintained.

KGF SCHOOL - GROUP PICTURE OF TEACHERS (1973)

2011-04-03T05:43:00.000-07:00

KGF SCHOOL - GROUP PICTURE OF TEACHERS (1973)

The Gymkhana Ground in Oorgaum KGF

2011-03-28T22:36:00.000-07:00

The Gymkhana Ground in Oorgaum is close to the First Grade College and the Oorgaum Post Office. It was the only Stadium in KGF where all the Sports meets and big Political Meetings were held. During the days of the British, the Gymkhana Ground was used for Equestrian and Horse racing events as well as for Polo and Hockey matches. Even in those days, the Gymkhana Ground was a huge ground with a single covered stadium

THE OORGAUM DAIRY - KGF

2011-03-24T02:11:00.000-07:00

Fresh pasteurized Milk was supplied to every mining house, every morning by the Mining Oorgaum Dairy in glass pint bottles sealed with a foil lid with the date embossed on it. It was left on our door steps by Four O’clock in the morning. The milk supplied by the Diary was fresh and creamy. As children we all grew up on this milk. The Oorgaum Dairy had its own herd of healthy Jersey Cows and a separate section for pasteurizing the milk. The whole operation was carried on in a very hygienic way and when I was young I remember that Mr. King, an officer of the Company was in charge of the Oorgaum Dairy. The Milk from this dairy was supplied to the whole Mining area. I still remember the cold milk, Ice creams and milk shakes we enjoyed at the Oorgaum Dairy that was just opposite to the Bombay Camp Cricket Grounds. Sadly the Oorgaum Dairy is also now closed.

Statue of Dr Ambedkar near Robertsonpet KGF

2011-03-21T05:26:00.000-07:00

This is the statue of Dr. B R Ambedkar near Robertsonpet KGF

THE BOMBAY CAMP CRICKET GROUND

2011-03-13T05:10:00.000-07:00

The Bombay Camp was the name of the Cricket grounds in Oorgaum KGF.

This Cricket Ground was just behind the First Grade College and close to the Oorgaum Dairy. Cricket was said to have originated in KGF as early as the 1880s when the John Taylor and Sons Company commenced mining operations here. KGF was said to have produced a number of eminent cricketers such as Ren Nailor and John Snaize in the 1940s. Ren Nailor played for the Madras Presidency in those days. Another famous cricketer from KGF was Suri Gopalakrishna who was born in the 1940s and later played for Bihar and Kerala. Bombay Camp has some important history behind it as well. It was actually an improvised airfield during the Second World War and was known as the Kolar Gold Fields Air field. The 1673 Heavy Conversion Unit was stationed here at this airfield.

This is an excerpt from my book KOLAR GOLD FIELDS DOWN MEMORY LANE - Paeans to Lost Glory

The Telephone Exchange at Oorgaum

2011-03-08T04:18:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of the Telephone Exchange at Oorgaum which was taken recently. This Exchange was always busy in the good old days with all the wires humming. It is now unused and locked up like the rest of the mining offices.

KGF CRICKET TOURNAMENTS 1947-48

2011-02-22T04:47:00.000-08:00

PHOTOGRAPH OF THE OORGAUM 'A' TEAM WHO WERE OVER ALL WINNERS OF THE LEAGUE AND KNOCK OUT CRICKET TOURNAMENTS FOR THE 1947-48 AND 1948-49 SEASONS.

This photograph was also sent to me by Mr Roger Shrimpton from Mr Walker's Collection

GOLF TOURNAMENT KGF 15TH AND 16TH DEC 1956

2011-02-22T04:16:00.000-08:00

This is a photograph of the KGF Golf team was sent to me by Mr Roger Shrimpton from the UK. He has kindly let me have copies of the photographs that were in Mr Kenneth Walker's collection. Mr Walker was the Superintendent of the Champion Reefs Mine.

KGF GYMKHANA CLUB VS MADRAS GYMKHANA CLUB PLAYED AT THE KGF CLUB ON THE 15TH AND 16TH DECEMBER 1956

St Joseph's Convent , Champion Reefs, KGF -- Rock Burst of 23rd Jan 1592 - The School Building was razed to the ground

2011-02-19T23:22:00.000-08:00

I'm reproducing below an account from THE HISTORY OF ST JOSEPH'S CONVENT IN CHAMPION REEFS KGF, about the Rock Burst of 23rd Jan 1952 which completely destroyed the Church and School. http://sjtbangalore.org/champion-reefs.pdf

AN UNEXPECTED CALAMITY
In the early 1950s, Fr Alexander D'Sa was the Parish Priest of St Mary's Church in Champion Reefs; Fr Gracian was the assistant and Fr Joseph Rajappa was the Head Master of St Mary's (Parish) Boys' High School. Early in the morning on the 23rd of January 1952, Fr Rajappa (late Bishop Rajappa of Kurnool), had just completed Holy Mass in the Church and all the people had gone out. The Sisters were still in the Chapel praying the Divine Office, when there was a loud sound. The buildings came crumbling down. A Rock Burst! All the Sisters were trapped under the debris.Fortunately, the Sisters' cook, a young girl, with ready presence of mind, kicked opens the door from the outside. The Sisters crawled out. Sr Vincentia being very tall, had to be literally dragged out. In the process her right wrist was dislocated. Sr
Teresa of the Trinity looked up and a tile fell on her nose and cut it. Sr Eugene Marie had a cut on her head. The Church, the presbytery, the Convent and the Schools -all collapsed to the ground. One can imagine the plight of the poor missionaries- Sisters and Fathers! Mother Anne, the Superior, was away in France. On her return journey, she heard this shocking news in Colombo, Ceylon (Sri Lanka). She could not rush faster than she did, due to the mode of travel in those days! Our Sisters were dazed; but strong in their faith, they stood firm before the ruined buildings. They knew our 'Heavenly Father, who feeds the birds of the air and the lilies of the field' would also carry them through.

Mr. Morgan, The Chief Medical Officer of the Government Hospital, took the Sisters to the Hospital premises, vacated one of the wards to accommodate them for the day. He provided them with food the whole day. That evening he arranged for their stay at the bungalow of the General Manager of the Mines, Mr. Arthur Taylor, who was away in England on a holiday and half of his house was vacant. It was spacious enough for a family but too small for a convent and a school, with 1,700 children. The garage, workers' quarters were all used. Some of the Sisters were accommodated there. Our Sisters of Robertsonpet, Coromandel and Marikuppam came to their rescue in accommodating the rest of them. Parishioners and well- wishers flocked to the Church premises to offer comfort and help in this distressing situation. Classes were held under the trees too. Good Fr Stan Aranjo, the Parish Priest of Robertsonpet and our Sisters of Robertsonpet, accommodated the children in their school. They put themselves out to help, by organising the shift system for this purpose. There was this heroic sacrifice on the part of everyone who was involved in this hour of need. Considering the need of the Sisters, Mr. Arthur Taylor agreed to sell the bungalow to the Sisters for Rs 1,00,000/-. The Church and the Sisters could not afford this amount. So our Superiors in Cantaous, approached our Sisters in South America, Peru and Venezuela who provided the money required. The house was purchased.The Sisters sat on the steps of their own beautiful house and had their first supper,
grateful to their benefactresses and recalling the experience of our first Holy Foundresses. Looking around at the beautiful garden and the lawns, they experienced a joy as if they were in a dream! But it was not a dream; it was true! This was their house! "All things work out well for those who believe." They could walk around freely and have place enough to accommodate all the people who would come in and whom they would serve, thanks to all their generous benefactors! Mother Beatrix and some of her co-Foundresses must have been the main instruments from heaven above, interceding for this happy turn of events! The Mines were still under the British even after five years of Independence! The mining people were still using the premises. Fr. A. D'Sa, parish priest came to the rescue of the Sisters whenever there was a problem. The Sisters accommodated the European children on the verandah of the house. The Indian School classes were held under the trees and in the domestic workers' quarters, till they were able to put up classrooms gradually. Those for whom place was not sufficient, the Parish school of Robertsonpet continued to accommodate. Communion in action!

Tha Original Bungalow still continues to be the Nun's Living Quarters till today!!!

BOOK REVIEW .."Kolar Gold Fields – Down Memory Lane - Paeans to Lost Glory"

2011-02-18T05:39:00.000-08:00

TOGETHER MAGAZINE - FEB 2011 ISSUE
Kolar Gold Fields – “Down Memory Lane - Paeans to Lost Glory" is a book written by Bridget White, published in July 2010 by Author House UK Ltd.
We now have access to this little “nugget” from the gold mining era as the book is available in India, reprinted August 2010 at Matha Prints Bangalore.

Bridget White is an Anglo Indian who was born and brought up in KGF and had most of her education in that little mining town. Bridget’s “Kolar Gold Fields – Down Memory Lane “Paeans to Lost Glory” is her tribute to the community, and to her fairy tale like upbringing that could not be more realistic to her or to those of us who were privileged to have experienced that lifestyle many years ago.

In her approach to writing the book Bridget expressed to me that she constantly kept her readers in mind. She wanted her book to be fairly unsophisticated and took extreme care not to use language that would require a dictionary every two pages. If her prospective readers, on the other hand are highly educated and well read, then she did not want to patronize them by writing in a grossly simplified misguided attempt to impress them. She chose simplicity and told a story.

The book is clearly laid out with three main chapters. The first chapter deals with the history of KGF. Compact, factual, interesting, punctured with legends and folk tales that made wide eyed children on bonfire nights gasp at some of the stories that did the rounds. John Taylor and Sons were synonymous with the Mines and they came with their culture and their bungalows and a life style that mostly all Anglo Indians adapted to as a fish does to water. It is amazing to see a photograph of the great man himself on page 16 of the book. Bridget has priceless photographs of the mines that have now deteriorated and are dangerous to approach let alone to venture in. Bridget talks about the churches, schools and hospitals, the lifestyle of the people who lived there and who enjoyed the establishments of clubs and institutes and the simple hardy dangerous life of the miners.

The second part of the book covers the lives of the Anglo Indian Community, a living legacy of the British Raj, the origin of “Anglo Indian”, their culture and lifestyle. It recalls the glorious days of dance and song, of sprawling bungalows, beautiful gardens, hard work and dignified living.

The last part of the book is autobiographical as Bridget reminisces on her childhood and teen years in a home that had all its values and morals intact. Memories are stirred as she recalls school days and games, picnics and the movies, sports and dances. She captures these memories colorfully and pens them down for posterity.

Enjoy “KGF Down Memory Lane “ as Bridget relates her joys of growing up, the land of Gold that drew international attention to mining, the lives and times of the miners and the myriads of people that walked those streets and lived those times with gutsy, positive, joyful attitudes.
In “Summing Up” (pun intended ) as Somerset Maugham would aptly say of his aforesaid novel, “a good style should show no sign of effort. What is written should seem like a happy accident”.
This book was a “happy accident” waiting to happen! I’m glad that Bridget pursued her dream to narrate it and to tell a story that will be told over and over again.

Colleen Nicholas
Celta Graduate, British Council
Email: colleen.nicholas@gmail.com

Colleen Nicholas is an ex-resident of KGF. She currently lives in Bangalore and conducts classes on Spoken English and prepares students for the IELTS, SAT and GMAT Exams. She is also a Beauty Consultant and Aroma Therapist.

Book on KGF - Kolar Gold Fields Down Memory Lane - Paeans to lost Glory!!!

2011-02-15T05:58:00.000-08:00

A Nostalgic Book on Kolar Gold Fields

KOLAR GOLD FIELDS DOWN MEMORY LANE - PAEANS TO LOST GLORY

By Bridget White
Pages 276
Indian Reprint available
Price: Rs 260.00 in India only

For Copies of this book Contact:
1. BRIDGET KUMAR
(Bangalore)
Email: bridgetkumar@yahoo.com / bidkumar@gmail.com
Ph: (+91)9845571254 / (+91)9844044236

Website: http://memoriesofkgf.blogspot.com/
http://anglo-indianrecipes.blogspot.com/
http://bridgetkumar.wordpress.com/

2. Gangarams Book Bureau
M G Road, Bangalore 560001

3. PAGE TURNERS
SIP PENGUIN BOOK STORE
89, MG Road, Bangalore 56001

4.John White
(Chennai)
Email: mpjohnwhite@yahoo.co.in
Ph: (+91) 9941841157 / (+91) 44 25595008

5. FLIPKART (INDIA)
http://www.flipkart.com/

UK Edition Published by AUTHOR HOUSE UK LTD,
ISBN:978-1-4520-4459-0 (sc) (Paper Back )
ISBN: 978-1-4520-5103-I (e) (E Book)
Price:US$13.00, A$20.00, C$20.00, GB Pounds 10.00

KOLAR GOLD FIELDS - DOWN MEMORY LANE is also available online at leading online stores such as Author House UK Ltd (authorhouse.com), Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Water Stone, Xulon, Tesco etc.

FROM THE LAND OF GOLD - Bangalore Mirror 13/2/2011

2011-02-13T05:18:00.000-08:00

http://www.bangaloremirror.com/article/81/2011021220110212195901318cefbb16a/From-the-land-of-gold.html
From the land of gold - Juliana Lazarus

Bridget White’s book Kolar Gold Fields: Down Memory Lane captures the essence of how a barren piece of land became a thriving township and an Anglo-Indian stronghold.....

When two people from Kolar Gold Fields get together, you can safely predict one thing: A talkathon. “Remember the Namakara hawker? And Chinaman John? Remember the Pound Parties in Buffalo Lodge? And how Sabu the jhatka man would say “Giddy up a ding dong...”

Bridget White has been a part of many such conversations that led to her blog http://memoriesofkgf.blog spot.com. And before she knew it, she had enough matter for a book! That’s what Bridget’s Kolar Gold Fields: Down Memory Lane is all about: A rambling conversation about the legends behind KGF, its people, its places. About how a barren piece of land became a thriving township, with varied nationalities like the English, Spanish, Germans, Italians and Irish living and growing together – that’s why KGF has been a traditional Anglo-Indian stronghold (see box) though most of the Europeans left after Independence.

Fresh memories
“It took me about two years to get the material together,” says Bridget, who was born in KGF and spent her early life there before moving to Bangalore permanently in 1976. But more than three decades later, the memories are as fresh as the smell of sodium cyanide when gold was being smelted in the mines. Of mountains coated with silicosis, of the uncertainty each time her father went down into the mines, of hearing whispers about the odd miner swallowing gold in an attempt to steal, of hearing a rumbling sound one night (it was a rock burst) and running out into the garden in sweaters and nighties.

She chuckles at the memory of the Namakara hawker (called so because he had a namo on his head!). “He would wear a black coat and white dhoti and had two men trailing behind carrying white bundles. He was a walking fancy store that sold everything from safety pins to underwear to nail polish and naphthalene balls,” says Bridget.

Then there was Chinaman John whose children had Chinese features but their mother’s Indian complexion. John would bring exquisite silk from China, sometimes in the form of cushion covers and table cloths and kimonos.

“Those were life’s simple pleasures,” sighs Bridget. And all that changed when John Taylor and Sons sold the mines to the government.“Everything fell through once the government took over,” says Bridget. “Trade unions became very strong and the mines soon became non-viable which is why the government closed down the mines in 2001.”

Shadows from the past
KGF is now a place of historical interest where song-and-dance sequences are shot for films. It’s also an educational hub but despite that it remains a pale shadow of its former self. Cyanide dumps form about 20 per cent of its total area, leading to a fairly high incidence of asthma, wheezing, TB and other respiratory illnesses among residents.

With mining no longer an option, more than 7,000 people have left to find work in Bangalore. “The mines are now filled with water and there’s slurry on the mountains surrounding KGF. According to an Australian company, even if they get 50g of gold from a tonne of slurry, it would be viable to start mining,” says Bridget.

In fact, the union cabinet cleared a proposal last year to revive the mines after a parliamentary standing committee report that at least 30 lakh tonnes of gold reserves lie unexploited in the area. The revival may take some time but till then, we have Bridget’s book.

For copies of the book, email Bridget at bridgetkumar@yahoo.com or call 9845571254, 9844044236.

KOLAR GOLD FIELDS - DOWN MEMORY LANE - TESTIMONIAL

2011-02-03T05:18:00.000-08:00

Testimonial from R. Sudarshan (Mr), Policy Advisor - Legal Reform and Justice, UNITED NATIONS ORGANISATION, BANGKOK, THAILAND.

Bridget White Kumar’s book on the Kolar Gold Fields is a splendid soliloquy on a very special place, which was, once upon a time, inhabited by some very special people. That’s a very good reason for wanting to read this book.

There are also other reasons, besides its special subject matter, why this book deserves to be read. It’s very readable! It stands out as a true tribute to the success of teachers at the KGF Boys School (where both Bridget and I were pupils for four years) and St. Joseph’s Convent (where Bridget honed her writing skills). Bridget’s language is simple, direct, economical and familiar. Her sentences are grammatical and unambiguous. The rich and diverse material in the book is organised in a logical and orderly way. Moreover, this book is evocative of many of life’s simple pleasures – food and flowers, parties and picnics, and entertaining eccentrics. These features should make this book interesting and enjoyable, even for those who have had nothing to do with KGF.

For those who can share with the author her nostalgia for KGF, the special place, this book will be read with familiar pleasure, and re-read to their progeny who cannot any longer experience the place as it once was, full of vibrant life.
KGF now, with the gold gone, has become a ghost town, where stories are told about phantoms that haunt disused mine shafts, red-eyed monsters that sit atop the sodium-cyanide dumps that dot its landscape, and UFOs wait to be sighted.

There are still more reasons, apart from the sheer pleasure of reading a good, readable book, why this book should appeal to those who have no connection with KGF.

At a time of growing concerns about globalisation and conflicts over religion, race, and ethnicity the world over, Bridget’s book brings home to it readers that diversity of races, religions, and languages can actually enrich a community, and need not debilitate it.

KGF symbolized an older variant of globalisation. It has had long-standing links with the London bullion market, and a high proportion of Anglo-Indians, a living legacy of the British Raj. These are only few of the factors which gave the denizens of KGF a cosmopolitan outlook, proletarian pride, and mofussil manners. Bridget’s book brings out vividly the values and attitudes that make it possible for a community to thrive by celebrating diversity, notwithstanding colonial inequities and inequalities of caste.

All this makes Bridget book much more than a good read. It provides nourishment for reflection upon the challenges of our times brought about globalisation that is badly in need of the human essence that pervaded the Kolar Gold Fields.

R. Sudarshan (Mr)
Policy Advisor - Legal Reform and Justice
UNDP Asia Pacific Regional Centre
3rd Floor, UN Service Building,
Rajadamnern Nok Avenue, Bangkok 10200 Thailand.

KOLAR GOLD FIELDS - DOWN MEMORY LANE - Feature in Jan 2011 issue of TOGETHER Magazine

2011-01-30T04:00:00.000-08:00

Feature on my book “Kolar Gold Fields – Down Memory Lane” which appears in the January 2011 issue of " TOGETHER" Magazine

“Kolar Gold Fields – Down Memory Lane” undertakes a nostalgic journey of almost 150 years, beginning with the historical and mythological origins of the Kolar Gold Mines. The book focuses on the progress through the years under the John Taylor and Sons Company, the gradual decline, and final closure of the once prosperous Kolar Gold Mining Company, in 2003.

Authored by Bridget White-Kumar, born into an Anglo-Indian family, who lived in KGF for many generations, the book recalls the cosmopolitan life led by the tiny vibrant Anglo-Indian Community in the early days of KGF. It also focuses on the author's childhood memories of growing up in KGF in the 1950s and 60s.

Kolar Gold Fields was well known for its colonial ambience and was called ‘Little England' due to its British and Anglo-Indian population. It was one of India's earliest industrialized towns and was unique for its secular and egalitarian society. The book succeeds in capturing and preserving the ethos and nuances of a bygone era.

This book is a 'must have' for all those who lived in Kolar Gold Fields and would like to preserve their memories of KGF forever.

For copies of this book contact Bridget Kumar Email: bridgetkumar@yahoo.com

Prime Minister Jawharlal Nehru's visit to Champion Reefs Mine KGF on 16th July 1951

2011-01-20T03:48:00.000-08:00

Prime Minister Jawharlal Nehru's visit to Champion Reefs Mine KGF on 16th July 1951
John Kenneth Walker SUPERINTENDENT OF THE CHAMPION REEF MINE (1929 TO 1957) is also seen in the picture along with Indira Gandhi and Mr M A Sreenivasan

An amusing incident that took place in the 1950s in KGF recalled by Jon Manley

2011-01-18T22:18:00.000-08:00

This amusing incident that took place in the 1950s in KGF, was sent to me by Jon Manley from Australia. It just shows the loyalty of the domestic helpers in those days and the lengths they went to, to serve their employers. KGF was quite high society in the early days of the mines.

"I recalled the other day this story my mother told, of a dinner party my parents gave, for around a dozen guests , and it must have been around 1950, and thought you might find it amusing.

Dinner parties in those days were very 'swank' affairs. The men all wore tuxedos and black ties, and the women all gowns. Our butler Anthony would have been in his finest starched uniform, and would have worn a fine turban sporting some amazing decoration in the front, and a drinks waiter would have been hired from the club for the night, us children put to bed and told not to make a sound. I don't recall the menu but suspect it would have been something like iced cucumber soup, followed by roast beef and baked vegetables, and one of those delightful Indian sweets for dessert. Wine would have been on offer with coffee and liquors. I don't recall names, but will put in a few of people around at the time who would have attended my parents dinner party. During the meal lets say a Mrs. Boadhurst said to my mother, "Molly those candlesticks you have as a table centerpiece look just like some my brother Albert gave Stan and I as a wedding present", Then Mrs. Connie Walker said, "Molly, those salt and pepper shakers are just like some we bought years ago in London", a Mrs. Stella Dunlop then said, "That carvery set reminds me of one we have just like it", and so the conversation went. My mother was most embarrassed, as she had never seen any of these items before herself. The Butler Anthony was summoned into the room, and asked if he could throw any light on how these items had come to be on our table. He replied, "Yes Madam, I knew you wanted to impress, so I got Mrs. Broadhurst's and Mrs. Walker's and Mrs. Dunlop's butlers, to contribute towards the evening, with what fine pieces of table-ware they had. Don't worry they will all be returned first thing in the morning, and no one would normally have been any the wiser". Our butler Anthony was told that this practice had to stop forthwith, and in future any borrowing would be done through her, direct to the lady of the other house. I dare say everyone had a good laugh, and a fine evening was had by all".
Nice to have heard from you Bridget,
Kind regards
Jon Manley

Kolar Gold Fields - Down Memory Lane .....Jonnathan Manley writes from Australia

2010-12-14T21:35:00.000-08:00

Kolar Gold Fields. Jonnathan Manley writes from Australia

Tuesday, December 14, 2010 9:43 PM
From:
"jon_manley@bigpond.com"
To:
"Bridget kumar"
Dear Bridget,
I have just finished reading your book, Kolar Gold Fields, Down Memory Lane. Oh Bridget! I am a grown man now, of 65 years of age, who left K.G.F. in 1957 aged 12, and your book has brought tears to my eyes, which are swelling up now as I write this. There were so many memories that flooded back, many I had forgotten years ago. Thank you Bridget for your wonderful, wonderful book. Amazon.com have asked me to review it. Just wait until you read that. My sister Fleur who lives in Kenya is also writing to you, as she has also read it.
The British Lady named Molly Manley you wrote about on page 24 was my mother, sadly she died in 2001. I wish she had been here to also read your book. After we left K.G.F. in 1957 mum would tell us stories about the place and people. I feel sure she would have recognised many of the names you mentioned. My father William Thomas Manley worked as the Chief Accountant for the mines for 33 years. We left in 1957, ten years after independence. Dad was asked to remain on longer, but as most of our friends had already left, we did likewise. I recall my father telling us that the Indian man who inherited his job after we left, had retired to Bombay, having made his fortune in about two years, when my father had not been able to do so in thirty-three.
Here are some interesting facts you may not have known about K.G.F., and some of my recollections.
I recall the church, Saint Mary's, which was demolished by the rock-burst you mentioned in page 34. I used to attend Mass there as a small boy, and went to school in a building where the priests house is today. My mother told me that when the rubble was cleared away after the rock-burst, a 'Consecrated Host' was found in the rubble near what was the front door of the church; that's how strong the shock wave was.

The Mr. W.T. Hocking who signed the document reproduced on page 48 was a family friend. The day before he left K.G.F. for England, my father walked us three children round to his house, which wasn't far from ours, to wish him and his wife Connie farewell. Hocking had a reputation as a man with a short 'bad' temper. On arrival in England, he caught a taxi from the wharf to wherever he was traveling, and for some reason he got off-side with the English Taxi Driver. The driver took offence to Hocking, and drove him and his long suffering wife, straight to a police station, where Hocking was charged, and locked away for some time to cool off. He couldn't get away with in England, with what he had in India!!

My mother told me that in the early days, whenever a new English person arrived at K.G.F. the established families would send the female new arrival an invitation to visit. This would read something like, 'Do call on me at your convenience. I look forward to meeting you and your family. Next Tuesday at 2 p.m. will be fine'. The new arrival would usually turn up at the time as suggested, in the back of one of those horse drawn carts you talked of, 'Jatkas'. It was customary for all the British to have calling cards. Upon arrival calling cards were exchanged. If there was an eligible male in the family, the left top corner of the card would be turned down, and if a female the right. Nothing was ever said about the eligible person, but one would know the situation. Protocol must be followed!!

You mentioned the company dairy, not far from the cricket ground. It was run by a Mr. King who had a daughter named Daphne, who was my age, about 7yrs. at that time. One day on the playing field near the tennis courts at Oorgaum, I told her I thought she was horrible, I can't recall why, and that when she grew up no boy would marry her. She took great offence to this and cried, and told her mother what I had said when she got home. When my mother heard of this, I was marched around to the King's house, and made to apologise to Daphne, who lauded it all over me from that day on. I really was a nasty little individual, then not now!!

What is now the'School of Mine's in Oorgaum, was the house we lived in. It is just in-front of what is now 'Our Lady of Mines Church'. I have been back to K.G.F. twice in the last 20 yrs, and still love the place. I traced my Ayah, Theresa, down to an address in Delhi. She threw her arm around me and wouldn't let go; cried and cried and carried on. I eventually had to prise myself free. She asked to see my teeth. I have two crooked teeth in the front of my mouth. When she saw them she nodded and said "Yes, you are indeed Jonathan Manley, my baby boy". I was about 45 at the time. We had a long talk, and I sang for her the Tamil songs she taught me as a child, and which I still remember. Sadly she also has passed on.
I could keep this up forever Bridget, but you must be getting bored so I will sign off. Once again, I loved your book; it wasn't long enough. Please keep in touch.
Best regards,
Jonathan Manley.

The Jatka / Tonga or the Horse drawn carriages in KGF in the early years

2010-12-14T04:50:00.000-08:00

Excerpt from the book KOLAR GOLD FIELDS - DOWN MEMORY LANE by Bridget White

When we were children, public transport was very limited in KGF and there was no local bus facility to take us around the mines and to Robertsonpet. The only buses that passed through the Nandydroog Mine, were the long distance buses that came from Bangalore and Kolar via Bangarapet. These buses were either Express or Non stop Services, so they didn’t stop enroute to Robertsonpet. The few ordinary service buses were quite infrequent so no one really depended on them as a means of local conveyance.

KGF also didn’t have a regular Taxi service in those days. There were only one or two people like Mr. Parker, or Mr. Das from Robertsonpet who ran their old cars as Taxis. The ‘Jatka’ Service was the only means of conveyance for many, many years. People either traveled in the Jatkas or else just walked to wherever they had to go to.

The Jatka / Tonga or the Horse drawn carriages came into existence in India, in the middle of the 18th century through the traders of East India Company in Calcutta. It was originally conceived and built for use of the Company but spread to other places in India and soon became a popular means of transport for the common man. The Jatkas and Tongas were the only mode of local conveyance in KGF from the early 1900s till the late 1970s. These Jatkas were fondly called ‘BANDIES’ by the Anglo-Indians which was an Anglicized version of the Tamil word “WUNDIE’.

Besides being the mode of transportation in KGF, the Jatkas were also used as a means of advertising the latest film releases in Town. Before a new film was released, posters of the hero and heroine in some catchy pose would be stuck on to Tattie or Bamboo sheets and tied on the sides of the Jatka. Inside the jatka, a gramophone with a loud speaker would blast the title songs of the Movie, and a person with a megaphone would announce in which Picture House the film would be running.

All the small urchins would run behind the Jatka and pick up all the pamphlets that were dropped by the person doing the announcing in the jatka. These ‘advertisement Jatkas’ would go all around KGF covering every street and Miner’s Line so that everyone would know about the latest release. This was a very effective advertising tool in those days

Notice about the Annual Sports of the KGF School on 14th February 1959

2010-12-03T04:47:00.000-08:00

News Item of Derek Boosey standing first in 4 of 7 events in the Kolar District Sports Meet

Kolar Gold Fields had many firsts to its credit

2010-11-16T04:16:00.000-08:00

KGF and its Many Firsts

Kolar Gold Fields had many firsts to its credit. In 1894, the Mysore Government financed the construction of a branch railway line, 10 miles long connecting all the five mines between Mysore Mine (Marikuppam) and Bowringpet Junction (Bangarpet) to connect KGF to the Bangalore Madras Railway line.

The Kolar Gold Fields Sanitary Board was constituted in September 1899 with three ex-officio members and four non-official members nominated by the Mining Board. The KGF Police, a special body with 50 officers and 279 men, under a separate European Superintendent, largely composed of Sikhs, was formed in April 1900, with jurisdiction over Bowringpet, Malur and Mulbagal taluks.

In 1902, the Mysore government established the first major hydro-electric generating station for commercial operations at Shivanasamudram. The longest transmission line, at the highest voltage in the world, was constructed to meet the power needs of mining operations at KGF. The erstwhile Mysore State became the first state in India to establish such a huge hydro-electric plant and KGF was the first town to get hydro-electric power.

In 1903, the British government constructed a lake in Bethamangala to supply water to KGF and surrounding townships. Arrangements were made for filtered water to be supplied to the mines through huge pipelines from the Government Water Works at Bethamangala, five miles away from KGF and the underground water source of the Pala River. Soon Bethamangala became a popular sailing and picnic spot for the British population in KGF

BIRTH OF TOWNSHIPS IN KGF - ROBERTSONPET AND ANDERSONPET

2010-11-16T04:14:00.000-08:00

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/113032/tale-two-thriving-townships.html
HISTORY
Tale of two thriving townships

Robertsonpet, established in 1902, was named so in memory of Sir Donald Robertson, who was the British Resident of Mysore at the time. Two years later, Andersonpet was set up next to the mining areas of Champion Reefs and Marikuppam. Bridget White-Kumar walks down memory lane.

Kolar Gold Fields was once a mining town in the erstwhile Mysore state. Known as ‘Little England,’ it was unique for its secular and egalitarian society. It was well known for its colonial ambience with elegant bungalows replete with huge green lawns and gardens and many clubs with tennis and badminton courts, golf courses etc.

The late 19th century and the early 20th century saw KGF mines flourishing under the stewardship of John Taylor and Sons Company. It employed 4500 employees in its hey days, and in what was once a desolate, waste, rocky terrain, a large and flourishing town sprang up. This was possible because of the perseverance and foresight of a group of British pioneers who were successful in their quest for gold.

Robertsonpet and Andersonpet

By the end of the 19th century, a sprawling British township was in place in the Kolar Gold Fields mining area, with elegant bungalows replete with huge gardens and green lawns, and many clubs with tennis and badminton courts, golf courses, dance halls, swimming baths etc. It resembled a typical English town and it came to be known as “Little England”.

With so much activity going on in the mining region, the need was felt for an area that was apart from the mines where individuals who were not employed in the mines could live and own property and carry on business.

Accordingly, in the year 1902, the township of Robertsonpet was established to house the Kolar Gold Mines related tertiary sector populace. It was named Robertsonpet by the then Maharaja of Mysore, in commemoration of the memory of Sir Donald Robertson, who was the British Resident of Mysore at the time.

Sir Donald Robertson was also responsible for launching the first hydro-electric plant in Shivanasamudram which supplied electric power to the KGF mines. Thus, the success of the mines led to the growth of a thriving town named Robertsonpet situated in an eastwardly direction of the Kolar Gold Mines. Several trades people such as manufacturers, bakers, printers, confectioners, contractors, printers, outfitters, timber merchants, jewellers, haberdashers, pawn brokers etc set up their business in the town of Robertsonpet.

A huge market place with many shops and stalls was constructed to house the businesses that sprang up to meet the needs of the mining employees and others. The shandy day on Sundays in Robertsonpet proved to be a boon not only for the miners who shopped here for all their requirements but for people from the surrounding villages as well. This market was later named Mahatma Gandhi Market after the Father of the Nation.

Robertsonpet was considered to be one of the first planned residential areas in modern-day India. The township was planned and built to accommodate the increasing population of the city of Kolar Gold Fields. A Town Hall was built in the Victorian style of architecture with huge canopies and arches with a huge garden and sprawling lawns.

This Town Hall was named King George Hall after King George of England and was the venue of many cultural, literary and social functions. The King George Hall Cosmopolitan Club was started on the same lines as the KGF Club in Oorgaum and offered facilities for tennis, badminton, billiards, snookers, cards, carrom etc.

A Town Municipal Council was set up to oversee and govern this new township by the Mysore government. All basic amenities such as electric power, water, etc was provided by the government. A large Civil Hospital was built to cater to the medical needs of the populace of this tertiary town with all amenities. A Maternity Hospital was also established.

A melting pot

Robertsonpet thus became the “Town” for the mining areas and quickly became an important commercial centre. People of different communities and regions came to live here, including the British and other Europeans, Anglo-Indians, people from neighbouring states, Muslims, Marwaris and the local Kannadigas.

The Marwaris were migrants from Rajasthan who settled in Robertsonpet and established their business there as private bankers or money lenders, pawn brokers, textile merchants and jewellers. Home to a mixed population, KGF had many places of worship such as churches, temples and mosques. Each mine had a Catholic Church and there were many Anglican and other Protestant churches as well which came under the Church of England. The St Theresa’s Church was established in Robertsonpet in 1929.

Robertsonpet also became home to many temples including the Lakshmi Venkateswara Temple. It is a very old and famous temple in Robertsonpet was and is still famous for its annual jaathre or fair celebrated over a week, in the month of March. People from all the neighbouring places would flock to KGF to be part of this event. This jaathre or fair was celebrated in a very grand manner in the old days and it is still celebrated every year with the same grandeur.

The Order of St Joseph of Tarbes started the St. Theresa’s School in Robertsonpet in 1933 which had both the English medium and Tamil Medium sections. To cater to the ever-increasing Marwari population in Robertsonpet, an exclusive Hindi Medium School named The Sumathi Jain High School was started in Robertsonpet.

Andersonpet: The ‘beer shop’

Two years after the establishment of the township of Robertsonpet, another township, Andersonpet, was established in 1904, just next to the mining areas of Champion Reefs and Mysore Mine/ Marikuppam to cater to the needs of the people living in these places. Andersonpet was also known locally as ‘beer shop’ because it had the only Government Licensed Liquor Store in the whole of KGF to sell beer in those days.

As per the Imperial Gazetteer of India - Mysore 1907-1909, “The right to vend and sell liquor throughout the province of Bangalore, Mysore and Kolar Gold Fields was only through individual shops under what was called the ‘separate shop system.’ The three breweries situated in the civil and military stations in Bangalore supplied beer or ale to the only tavern or ‘separate shop’ in Kolar Gold Fields situated in the new township of Andersonpet.”

The tavern later got a license to sell foreign liquors, brandy, wine and also the locally brewed liquor or arrack. Andersonpet is still called Beer Shop by people who don’t even know the origins of its name!

Picture houses in the twin towns

Towards the late 1920s, when the era of black and white talking motion pictures came into existence, picture houses or talkies came up in Robertsonpet and Andersonpet, which screened movies in local languages. Initially, these picture houses were just tents with basic or no infrastructure.

The Gay Talkies, Olympia Talkies and the Krishna Talkies were among the first picture houses to come up during this time. The Tamil Film ‘Kalidas’ was produced in 1931 and a big hit in KGF. Tamil films and other regional language films screened in those days were based on themes and characters derived from traditional folk tales and ballads, mythology, local politics, etc and were enjoyed by the masses and played to full houses in KGF.

Kolar Gold Fields played a very important part in the prosperity of the British Empire under the management of the John Taylor and Sons Company. It was the successful quest for the precious yellow metal by these British pioneers, which resulted in the creation of this vast industry.

(Bridget White-Kumar is the author of Kolar Gold Fields- Down Memory Lane)

The Birth of 2 townships in KGF - ROBERTSONPET AND ANDERSONPET

2010-11-16T04:12:00.000-08:00

Article on KOLAR GOLD FIELDS DOWN MEMORY LANE in THE HINDU on 4/11/2010

2010-11-04T01:18:00.000-07:00

Date:04/11/2010 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2010/11/04/stories/2010110451190300.htm

Back Metro Plus Bangalore Chennai Coimbatore Delhi Hyderabad Kochi Madurai Thiruvananthapuram

Remember the time

“Kolar Gold Fields – Down Memory Lane” undertakes a nostalgic journey of almost 150 years, beginning with the historical and mythological origins of the Kolar Gold Mines. The book focuses on the progress through the years under the John Taylor and Sons Company, the gradual decline, and final closure of the once prosperous Kolar Gold Mining Company, in 2003.
Authored by Bridget White-Kumar, born into an Anglo-Indian family, who lived in KGF for many generations, the book recalls the cosmopolitan life led by the tiny vibrant Anglo-Indian Community in the early days of KGF. It also focuses on the author's childhood memories of growing up in KGF in the 1950s and 60s.
Kolar Gold Fields was well known for its colonial ambience and was called ‘Little England' due to its British and Anglo-Indian population. It was one of India's earliest industrialized towns and was unique for its secular and egalitarian society. The book succeeds in capturing and preserving the ethos and nuances of a bygone era. The book is available online at Author House UK Ltd, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Water Stone, Xulon, Tesco etc. The book is also available on Kindle.
For copies of this book contact Bridget Kumar Email: bridgetkumar@yahoo.com or call 9845571254, 9844044236. You could also visit http://memoriesofkgf.blogspot.com / http://anglo-indianrecipes. blogspot.com
You could also contact John White in Chennai (Email: mpjohnwhite@yahoo.co.in) or call 9941841157, 44 25595008. The book is also available at Gangarams Book Bureau.

KOLAR GOLD FIELDS - DOWN MEMORY LANE-- Letter from Most Rev Ignatius Pinto, Bishop Emiretius

2010-11-03T22:00:00.000-07:00

Official release of Book on KGF - KOLAR GOLD FIELDS - DOWN MEMORY LANE

2010-10-31T06:07:00.000-07:00

My book on KGF, entitled KOLAR GOLD FIELDS - DOWN MEMORY LANE was officially released by Mr. Kenneth Powell, on 26th October 2010, during the recently held Anglo-Indian Reunion - Jamboree 2010 at the Bangalore Palace Grounds

KOLAR GOLD FIELDS - ROCK BURSTS / AIR BLASTS – THE KGF RESCUE TEAM

2010-10-13T22:28:00.000-07:00

KGF ROCK BURSTS / AIR BLASTS – THE KGF RESCUE TEAM

RESCUING MINERS TRAPPED UNDER GROUND

The thrilling mission to rescue and save the miners trapped in a Chilean Mine for 69 days has prompted me to write a small account about such similar instances in KGF.

There were several instances of tragic and fatal accidents inside the mines that left many workers physically handicapped and incapacitated. Several times, there was loss of lives due to the Rock Bursts or Air Blasts. The Rock Bursts during the 1920s and 30s and the massive Rock Burst in 1952, claimed many lives as quite a few miners were buried alive.When the Air Blasts occurred under ground, several miners would get trapped inside the tunnels and die due to suffocation and injuries. The passages and tunnels get blocked due to landslides.

The John Taylor and Sons Company formed a dedicated rescue team which would immediately get into action to rescue workers trapped underground due to mining accidents and disasters such as rock bursts, fires, explosions, cave-ins, flooding of the mines etc. The KGF Mining Rescue Team was thus established in 1923. The Rescue Station was housed in a building quite close to the Oorgaum Station Railway crossing a short distance away from the Nandydroog Mine Offices.

The Rescue Team was always on call 24 x 7, to attend to any emergencies both underground and on the surface. The team was well versed in all rescue procedures and specially trained to rescue miners trapped underground with minimum time loss. They were fully trained in rendering timely First Aid and in the use of the Proto Safety equipment, SABC Breathing sets etc, especially when the miners were suffocated due to lack of oxygen on account of landfalls, fire, smoke, toxic mine gases, etc.

The KGF Rescue Team was soon considered to be the best mining rescue team in the country and won many awards and citations. A picture of the team which won the Barraclough Challenge Shield in the All India Mines Rescue Competition in 1955 is appended hereto.

In the event of a fire breaking out or rock falls /caving in of the earth underground due to Rock Bursts, the workers would break small glass bottles of Eucalyptus Oil immediately. The strong smell of eucalyptus would quickly spread through all the tunnels underground thereby warning the miners working in other tunnels to quickly rush to higher safety levels, from where they could come up to the surface safely.

The Mines rescue team would then get into action to rescue the trapped workers. However, despite the best efforts of the Rescue team, sometimes flooding, fire outbreaks and other accidents underground claimed many lives before the Rescue Team reached the spot. The family members of the workers trapped underground would wait for several hours outside the shafts, keeping their fingers crossed, to know the fate of their loved ones. The agony and mental suffering on their faces just couldn’t be explained in words.

However, as mine rescue is a particularly dangerous work, the rescue crews also risked their own lives to save their fellow workers. Sometimes they also suffered serious injuries and burns during their Rescue missions.

As children living in KGF Rock Bursts or Air Blasts were quite common occurrences for us and we learnt to live with them. We normally didn’t get frightened or worried when there were small ones. We just carried on with whatever we were doing at the time. However, sometimes these air blasts were quite huge in their intensity and they caused much damage to buildings and houses and also caused massive rock falls underground, sometimes even causing fatalities to the miners. We’d then rush out of the house to safety. Some times, buildings or houses got damaged during severe air blasts and people also suffered minor injuries because of the debris falling on them.

When I was about 5 years old, I remember waking up in the middle of the night to the sound of shattering window panes and bits of the roof tiles falling on my bed. My mum bundled us up in our cardigans and we ran into the garden and stayed there till the rumblings stopped. She would then make us all a hot drink of Bournvita and tucked us all back into bed. The next morning we could see all the debris that had fallen from the walls and roof due to the tremors of the air blast.

When I was studying in the 6^th Standard in the St Joseph’s Convent School, there was a massive Air Blast at around eleven in the morning, and this caused a lot of damage to the school building. Bits of the ceiling fell down on us and huge cracks began to appear on the walls. The teachers quickly evacuated all the students and we assembled on the Basket Ball field in no time. Since the rumblings continued for a long time, the school declared a holiday and the school buses and vans were organized to take us all home. Due to the severe impact of the Air Blasts the school building was damaged quite a bit. The nuns undertook some immediate repairs and we were back in school in no time.

Every time there was an Air Blast, my mum would make us kneel down and say a prayer for the safety of the Miners trapped underground. Quite often my dad, who worked as an Underground Engineer in Nandydroog Mine, would also be on duty at the time of the Air Blast, and we would be quite tense till he returned home safely.

News Item in DNA Newspaper on 28/9/10

2010-09-30T05:18:00.000-07:00

THE ROCK BURST OF 1952 IN KGF

2010-09-15T00:26:00.000-07:00

This is an old newspaper clipping showing pictures of the devastation caused by the massive Air Blast / Rock Burst in 1952. St Mary's Church, the Priests House, The Convent and school of St Joseph of Tarbes which were all housed in the same compound were completely destroyed. The Church was later rebuilt and renamed as Our Lady of Victories Church while the St Joseph's Convent was shifted to the Bungalow of Mr Arthur Taylor in Champion Reefs where it is still in existence.

KOLAR GOLD FIELDS - DOWN MEMORY LANE

2010-08-29T03:06:00.000-07:00

Kolar Gold Fields is a small mining town in the erstwhile Mysore State (now known as Karnataka) in India. It was owned by the John Taylor and Sons Company, a British Mining Firm for almost a century. It was well known for its Colonial ambience and was called ‘Little England’ due to its British and Anglo-Indian population. It was one of India’s earliest industrialized towns and was unique for its secular and egalitarian society.

“Kolar Gold Fields – Down Memory Lane” undertakes a nostalgic journey of almost 150 years, beginning with the historical and mythological origins of the Kolar Gold Mines, its golden progress through the years under the John Taylor and Sons Company, its gradual decline, and the final closure of the once prosperous Kolar Gold Mining Company in 2003. Thus ending a golden chapter in History, which now lies buried in the annals of time.

It recalls the glorious and cosmopolitan life led by the tiny vibrant Anglo-Indian Community (a living legacy of the British Raj) in the early days of KGF, who lived in sprawling bungalows with beautiful gardens and domestic helpers at their beck and call. It recalls the grand Christmas Balls and Dances held at the Skating Rink and the Jam Sessions and Pound Parties in Buffalo Lodge.

It finally focuses on the author's childhood memories of growing up in KGF in the 1950s and 60s, and of life’s many simple pleasures – home, family, school, playmates, entertainments, games, etc. It recalls memories of old familiar haunts and landmarks of KGF and the people who were an indispensable part of life in those days. The book succeeds in capturing and preserving the ethos and nuances of a bygone era

The Big Tree

2010-07-27T06:15:00.000-07:00

This is the Big Tree near BEML. It was a famous picnic spot when we were children. Most of our school picnics were here. It seemed a huge tree to us when we were kids. It doesn't look so big now. Most of us have fond memories of this picnic spot.

SHAFTS IN KGF

2010-07-27T06:07:00.000-07:00

This is a collage of some of the Shafts in KGF.

The Oorgaum Hall

2010-07-13T05:47:00.000-07:00

In the early 1900s a separate Picture Hall was built in Oorgaum quite close to the KGF Gymkhana Club and named as the Oorgaum Hall to screen only English Movies and Documentaries once or twice a week,

The Oorgaum Hall was just a basic Hall with a large white screen and a hand operated Projector and wooden benches for seating. This picture halls screened all genre of English Films and was a favourite haunt of all the youngsters in KGF

This is a picture of the Oorgaum Hall in the early 1900s when it was initially built.The Oorgaum Library, Telephone Exchange, etc were built later on.

KING GEORGE HALL ROBERTSONPET

2010-06-14T05:39:00.000-07:00

The township of Robertsonpet was established in 1902. It was named as ‘Robertsonpet’ by the then Maharaja of Mysore, in commemoration of the memory of Sir Donald Robertson, who was the British Resident of Mysore at the time. Sir Donald Robertson was responsible for launching the first Hydro-electric plant in Shivanasamudram which supplied electric power to the KGF mines.
Robertsonpet was considered to be one of the first planned residential areas in modern-day India. The township was planned and built to accommodate the increasing population of the city of Kolar Gold Fields.
A Town Hall was built in Victorian Style Architecture with huge canopies and arches with a huge lawn and a sprawling garden. It was named as the King George Hall after the King of England. Robertsonpet thus became the “Town” for the mining areas and quickly became an important commercial centre.

KGF GOLF CLUB HOUSE

2010-05-05T06:33:00.000-07:00

The oldest club in KGF was The KGF Golf Club which was established in 1885 and has the distinction of being the 4th oldest Golf Club in India. In those days, it was totally out of bounds for the Indians, and only the British and Europeans could become members. This club was and still is affiliated to Indian Golf Union and is affiliated to all the major clubs in India.

Because of the hilly terrain of KGF, the golf course was /is located in picturesque surroundings in the midst of a small natural forest. Unlike other Golf courses where the Putting Green’s grass is cut very short so that a ball can roll distances of several yards, this facility has browns constructed of river sand in place of greens. The golf course had a number of natural canals cutting across the fairways lined by huge trees planted more than a century ago, giving it the setting of a British Country side.

LETTER FROM THE JOHN TAYLOR AND COMPANY

2010-04-28T04:51:00.000-07:00

Appended below is the letter dated 28th November 1956, that the John Taulor and Sons (India ) Private Ltd wrote to the Superintendents of all the 4 Mines. 28th November 1956 was the last day they were owners of the Mines. The Government of India took over the Mines on the 29th November 1956. This letter was addressed to the Superintendent of the Nandydroog Mine and a copy of the same was endorsed to my dad Sydney White and to all the other Officers and Covanented Hands of the Mines. It was signed by Mr W.T. Hocking the then Managing Director

The New Imperial Bakery and Victory Confectionery Stores, Champion Reefs, KGF

2010-03-31T22:14:00.000-07:00

We (as well as a lot of other families from KGF) got our just baked "Daily Bread" home delivered every day at 4 PM from this Bakery in Champion Reefs opposite the KGF Hospital. Payment was made once a month and the baker kept an account of the number of loaves each family bought in a long note book.

Every year on Maundy Thursday, freshly baked Hot Cross Buns were delivered as per advance orders for Good Friday.

Unique Feature of buildings that were constructed in the early 1900s in KGF

2010-03-16T05:17:00.000-07:00

A distinguishing and unique feature of most of the buildings that sprung up in KGF in the early 1900s was that granite stones of the finest quality was used to construct them. The most outstanding feature is their solidity, Some of these buildings that have stood the test of time and are still in fairly good condition even after a century are:
1. All the Main Offices in all the mines,
2. The Cauvery and the Kolar Mines Power Stations or the Electricity Departments in Oorgaum, pictured above.
3. The original building of the KGF Golf Club.
4. St Mary’s Church which was later renamed as Our Lady of Victories Church in Champion Reefs.
5. Part of the main building of the Mining Hospital in Champion Reefs
6. The St Micheal’s and All Angels Church in Oorgaum.
7. Part of The Oorgaum Dairy.
8. The Government Civil Hospital and the Government Maternity Hospital in Robertsonpet.

OUR CHILDHOOD GAMES IN KGF

2010-02-22T04:50:00.000-08:00

Childhood in K G F was blissful. We had no luxuries like the present generation but never the less we were happy with simple pleasures and entertainments.

There was a huge open ground or ‘Maidan’ behind our house and all our friends would join us there to play after school and on holidays and weekends. The games we played in childhood were Hopscotch or Butch, Football, Throw ball, Spinning Tops, Rounders, Seven Stones, “ L O N D O N”, ‘I Spy”, Running and Catching, Robbers and Police, Kabbadi, Kho-Kho, Gilly Danda etc and many other simple games. Cricket, Hockey and Tennis were also part of our repertoire of childhood games.
Kite flying was another exciting game for us. Besides having a lot of fun flying our kites, we had a lot of enjoyment making the kites ourselves with Broom sticks or Bamboo sticks, kite paper, newspapers etc. We’d make a paste of flour and water to stick the paper to the kite frame and then settle down to make the Manja. Making the Manja for the kite string was a well kept secret. The “Manga” is a mixture of glass pieces, flour paste etc which is smeared on the kite sting to make it sharp, so as to cut the strings of other kites midair.
Besides all these above mentioned games, we also played our favourite childish games of Police and Robbers, Doctor and Nurse, Hide and Seek, Running and catching and of course the very girly game of ‘House House’ We had a lot of pots and pans or ‘Chapus; for this game. The Chapus were either made of mud, metal or plastic and we had tea parties with the dolls, cooked over our little stoves with our pots and pans, and hosted dinner parties with the dolls and teddy bears. We also played a number of board games like Chinese Checkers, Ludo, Chess, Drafts, Bagatelle, etc These games are indigent and native to India, but nonetheless played by us with much enthusiasm
All these games seem so outdated now. Apart from playing Cricket, Hockey, Tennis etc which are part of the School games curriculum, Children hardly play outdoors nowadays. Instead, they play with high tech video games, play stations and other fancy gadgets and I’m pretty sure they don’t experience the same capacity of happiness and the joys of the simple and inexpensive games that we played as children.
We really enjoyed our childhood!!!

Golconda Shaft, Balaghat

2010-02-02T04:54:00.000-08:00

A distant view of the Golconda Shaft in Balaghat

The Ambedakar Group of Schools in Coromandel

2010-02-02T04:44:00.000-08:00

The Government Maternity Hospital, Robertsonpet KGF

2010-01-14T06:48:00.000-08:00

The Government Maternity Hospital in Robtersonpet KGF where my brother and sisters and I were born. It hasn't changed in all these years. A new annexe has now been added.

CHILDHOOD MEMORIES OF CHRISTMAS TIME IN KGF ..4

2009-12-10T05:31:00.000-08:00

On Christmas morning, trays of Christmas goodies were distributed to our friends and neighbours. We children dressed up in all their finery would be entrusted with this task. All the servants, the sweepers and other helpers would be given a ‘bakshis’ or money gift, also clothes and Christmas sweets. The men would also get a quarter bottle of booze.
We usually attended Midnight Mass dressed in our new Christmas frocks, specially tailored for the great day and bundled up in our jackets and coats as it was very cold in KGF in December.

A small mini fair would invariably come up outside the church gates, with vendors selling balloons, crackers, cheap plastic toys, plastic sunglasses, plastic spinning tops, bugles, trumpets, little bamboo sticks with balloons attached, etc., which we would gleefully buy and enjoy. After midnight Mass, we'd sometimes visit our firend's houses for a small sing song session and have some cake and wine or just go home and do the same thing.
As Christmas day was usually hectic with visiting and socializing, most of the cooking was done beforehand on Christmas Eve, except for the turkey or chicken that was left to slow roast on a low fire or ‘Dum’ over night. Other Anglo-Indian delicacies such as Oxtail Vindaloo, Tongue Roast, Trotters etc., would be left to cook the whole night on low heat, so that by Christmas morning the meat was succulent and tender. We normally woke up late on Christmas morning and then enjoyed a Hearty breakfast of Eggs, sausages and bacon. Christmas morning invariably had family and friends visiting us and enjoying some of the Christmas goodies prepared by my mum.

A typical Christmas lunch at our house was usually a large meal comprising of a Meat Pullao, Chicken Curry, Stuffed Roast turkey or Chicken Roast, Pork Vindaloo, Duck Vindaloo, steamed vegetables, mashed potatoes, bread, dinner rolls, Christmas pudding, Cakes, Sweets, etc, etc, all washed down with a glass or two of Wine or a peg or two of Whiskey, brandy or other liquor. There was always fun and banter round the festive table and small tiffs as to who would get the ‘lucky bones’, the gizzards, ‘the pope’s nose’, ‘the chicken neck’ etc.

My mum always served the Christmas pudding cold at the end of the Christmas Lunch. Just before serving it, my dad would pour a glass of brandy or Rum over it and he'd then light it with a match stick. The lovely blue flame for those few minutes, would encompass the pudding and the heat would help the rum or brandy to soak in. We usually ate it plain or with Fresh cream.

We usually spent Christmas evening visiting our grand parents, Aunts and Uncles and cousins at White Haven in Robertsonpet.

The 31st of December was another occasion to celebrate. A huge new year Ball was normally held in the Skating Rink to bring in the New Year, and just like the Christmas Shows local Anglo-Indian Bands or bands from Madras or Bangalore were engaged to play at it. A huge bonfire was lit outside the Skating Rink and an effigy of an old man representing the old year was thrown into the bonfire at midnight and firecrackers were lit to signal the start of the New year and fresh begininnings.

CHRISTMAS TIME IN KGF..3

2009-12-04T05:12:00.000-08:00

The month of December also saw us getting ready for Christmas, shopping for dress materials and visiting Pansy Tailor to get our dresses tailored. We normally had 3 new dresses or outfits for the festive season. One dress for the Nandydroog Mine Christmas Tree Function, one for Christmas day and one for New Year’s day. Some times our parents made a trip to Bangalore to buy the material for our Christmas dresses and also to buy our shoes from Reliance Shoe Shop on Commercial Street in case we didn’t buy them during our visit to Bangalore in September for Our Lady’s feast. Our Christmas shoes would invariably be a white pair so as to match all our new frocks. In case they couldn’t fit in a trip to Bangalore, then we went shopping for dress material in Town. Mohanlal, Sohans, Bhora and some other shops had quite a good selection of dress materials to choose from.

Pansy Tailor was the most sought after ladies tailor and dress maker in KGF. He was always deluged with stitching orders for dresses this time of the year, by almost all the Anglo-Indians in KGF for the various dances and for the Christmas. He warned all his customers to bring him their Christmas tailoring orders before the middle of November so that he was able to plan his schedule. He was a fantastic dressmaker and never disappointed anyone, most often sitting late into the night with his assistant Gopal to help him so as to deliver the dresses to his customers on the dates he promised to give them. Pansy Tailor’s actual name was Eshwar Rao, but since he spoke English with a funny accent, and walked like a lady, he was nicknamed ‘Pansy Tailor’ and the name just stuck. In fact we still refer to him as Pansy tailor even though he’s now no more.

My mum would start the preparation of the traditional sweets and treats that are a part and parcel of Christmas a fortnight before Christmas. Kalkals and Rose Cookies, Fruit Cakes, Coconut Sweets, the Christmas Pudding, Bole Cake, Dodol, Beveca, Marzipan Sweets, Peanut Fudge, Cashew nut Fudge, Murkus or Rice Crispies, Adarasams or Fried rice pancakes etc., were some of the goodies that were prepared in abundance by her. The house and neighbourhood would smell enticingly. One of my strongest childhood memories, is this enticing aroma of the preparation of these Christmas Goodies.

We children would wait for the Christmas holidays to begin so that we could all help mummy in the preparation of the Kulkuls, Rose Cookies, etc, We’d all sit around the dining table and each of us would take a lump of dough and spread it on a fork to make as many kulkuls as possible with it. These kulkuls were like small shells. To make other shapes, we would also roll out the dough and cut out various shapes like hearts, clubs, diamonds, etc with the cutters. It was fun competing with each other to see who made the most. Mummy would fry the kulkuls as soon as we completed a good number, till all the kulkuls were fried and a huge heap was kept on the table to cool. She’d then ice them when they were cold by pouring hot sugar syrup on the kukkuls. We had a lot of fun helping mummy and sometimes even our non-Christian friends would join us and help us in this happy task. Of course, a good portion of the fried kulkuls would go into our mouths while helping to make them.

Making the Doldol at Christmas time was especially exciting for all of us as this particular sweet dish needed more than 3 hours to prepare and had to be stirred constantly. We would all take turns to stir the gooey mixture till it reached the right consistency. Making coconut sweets was another treat. All of us would fight to scrape the residue left over in the pan.

We also helped to churn the butter and sugar for the Christmas Pudding and the Fruit cakes. In those days there were no blenders or beaters and we churned the cake dough with the ‘Dhal Churner Stick’ or the ‘Mathu’ as it was called. We had to wait for our turn as each one wanted to put their fingers in the bowl while churning and lick the cake dough as it was getting smooth.

I mustn’t forget to mention the Grape Wine and Ginger Wine that mummy made specially for Christmas. She would soak the Grapes and sugar in the month of October so that it was ready for Christmas. The wine would be strong and sweet and mummy would add a dash of rum to it to give it a bit of punch. She also made Ginger Wine at Christmas time. This Ginger Wine wasn’t exactly a wine but more like a thick concoction that acted as an aid in digestion for all the rich food at Christmas.

CHRISTMAS TIME IN KGF..2

2009-11-30T04:59:00.000-08:00

Christmas had its own gaiety and charm in KGF. All the Anglo-Indian homes were always beautifully decorated with colorful paper streamers, buntings, Chinese lanterns, balloons, etc. Every home put up a huge Casuarina Christmas tree that was decorated beautifully. In those days there were no plastic or synthetic Christmas trees and hence every family put up a Casuarina Tree. A huge drum or Flower Pot was filled with sand and the Casuarina Tree was placed securely in it.

The Christmas tree was always placed in a prominent place in the drawing room and was beautifully decorated with fairy lights, tinsel, colourful baubles, sliver and gold paper, and little China Ornaments. The Angel would be fixed on top of the tree, while the other tree ornaments and decorations were placed at intervals interspersed with gold and silver streamers and tinsel. Some of the Christmas decorations were saved over many years and were lovingly hung on the Christmas Tree each Christmas. Cotton wool was liberally placed on the branches to look like snow. The family’s Christmas gifts were usually placed under the tree and opened only on Christmas morning. Of course there was much excitement and mirth while the decorating was in progress and the children could hardly wait to open their Christmas gifts.

Besides the Christmas tree, every family put up a Crib without fail. The Crib was always placed in a prominent spot, sometimes beside the Christmas tree. It was normally made with straw or grass, cardboard, brown paper etc. The children used their imagination to create their own Crib and would innovate each year. The statues of Baby Jesus, Mother Mary, St. Joseph, the shepherds, the sheep, the three kings, etc, would be carefully removed from their cotton wool packing and loving placed in the Crib. Baby Jesus was placed in the Crib only after Midnight Mass and the three kings and the camel on the 4th of January.

Every Home would also hang a star with a light bulb fitted in it in front of their homes. Some times,people made their own huge paper stars out of thin bamboo sticks and kite paper or else they just bought the stars from the shops selling Christmas decorations..

The Christmas holidays usually began on the 20th December and the schools would reopen only after the first week of January. The children were on hand to help with the preparation of the Christmas Treats and also with decorating the house. There was always much fun and frolic when all of them got together in this happy task

CHRISTMAS TIME IN KGF..1

2009-11-24T03:50:00.000-08:00

Christmas time was the most enjoyable time of the year in KGF. A number of dances and variety programs were arranged during Christmas time, starting from the 2nd week of December and going on till the New Year.

Each Mine held their own Christmas celebrations. There were a variety programs such as sports competitions for the children, Fancy Dress Competitions, etc and a High Tea for the children with Santa Claus arriving in a special sleigh to distribute their gifts. Games of skill such as Hoopla, Ringing the Bottle, Ringing the Duck, Lucky Dip, Lucky Arrow, The Chocolate Wheel, Darts, etc were some of the sideshows of the event., followed by a grand Christmas Ball later.

The grand Christmas Balls were occasions to remember. The Dance Invitations would specify ‘Lounge’ or ‘Dress Suits Essential’ and woe betide anyone who turned up in their casual clothes!! So the men and boys would dress in their suits and Tuxedoes and the ladies and girls wore their prettiest dresses and gowns made of lace, silk and satin specially tailored for the occasion.

Local Anglo-Indian Bands or bands from Madras or Bangalore were engaged to play for the dances. The MC of the show would ensure that everyone had a good time and took part in the Square Dances and other group dances. The Jive, Fox Trot, Cha Cha, and Rock and Roll etc were popular dance steps.

The ever green Waltz was all the more popular as it gave couples a chance to hold each other closely and dance cheek to cheek!!! In between the dances the men would disappear to have a small ‘sly tot’ to recharge their batteries. The dances would go on throughout the night and sometimes end only at 5 O’clock the next morning, when they would head straight to Church for Mass.

REQUESTING EX-KGF FOLK TO SEND IN THEIR MEMORIES OF THIS SPECIAL SEASON IN KGF...Bridget

THE CHAMPION REEFS WORKSHOPS

2009-11-21T22:56:00.000-08:00

This is a recent pricture of the Champion reefs Workshops. The windows are missing and this old stone building lies in ruins.

St. Micheal and All Angels Church, Oorgaum KGF

2009-11-18T00:57:00.000-08:00

St. Micheal and All Angels Church, Oorgaum KGF

TENANTS SHAFT, CHAMPION REEFS, KGF

2009-11-12T06:11:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of the Tenants Shaft near the Watch and Ward Department,

Champion Reefs, KGF

KGF SCHOOL... News item in the times of India dated 14/2/09

2009-11-06T00:13:00.000-08:00

FIVE LIGHT'S CIRCLE, Nandydroog Mine

2009-11-04T04:31:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of the FIVE LIGHTS CIRCLE, in Nandydroog Mine. It was on the main road to Oorgaum Station and Robertsonpet. The four Roads branched off to various areas in KGF. It was / is one of the landmarks of KGF

THE BUTCHER'S SHOP

2009-11-04T04:30:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of the Beef Butcher's Shop in Nandydroog Mine , close to the Swimming Bath and the Rescue Station. It looks the same as it did more than 50 years ago.

The Butcher whose name was Gafoor, would supply the different cuts of meat, depending on the dish that was to be prepared for lunch and dinner that day. Sadly Gafoor has since passed away. His son-in-law is now the proud owner of this shop.

BASHA'S SHOP

2009-11-03T04:16:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of the 4 Shops opposite the Skating Rink and Nandydroog Club. We lived in the house practically adjoining them except for a small lane between.
Pansy Tailor's Shop is at the far left with its Trellis still intact. Pansy tailor passed on the shop to his assistant Gopal so it later came to known as Gopal Taylor Shop.
Basha's Shop also known as Ahmed Shop is in the middle and is now closed.Basha and his wife have since passed away. His sons Afzal and Amjath live in Bangalore. The tiles are missing from the roof.

The Hotel or Eatery is still there but has changed many managements over the years. They still blast tamil film songs on their old radio. The Bondas, Vadas, Kajurus are still as tasty as they were in our childhood.

Abraham or Ibrahim's shop is at the far right and is still doing business. However its not in the picture. Ibrahim is now a grand old man but still going strong. God bless him.

THE SKATING RINK, NANDYDROOG MINE, KGF

2009-11-03T04:13:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of the Skating Rink in its present dilapidated state.
The Skating Rink which could be called the only auditorium in KGF at that time, was the most popular venue for Wedding receptions, Parties, get-togethers, Concerts, Musical Recitals, Meetings, Dances etc. The Cement floor was highly polished and very smooth and was initially used during the times of the British for Roller skating and ice skating and also for Ball Room Dances.

The building itself was not much to talk about, with corrugated iron sheets for its walls and roof and a false ceiling of Tatty Cane inside. It was more like a huge Shed that one sees in old Country and Western Movies and didn’t resemble an auditorium all. However this ‘Hall’ was close to everyone KGFites's heart and was iconic in its stature.

The Skating Rink was a land mark for the people of KGF. The Christmas Dances, May Queen Balls, Easter Balls, June Rose Balls, The Anglo-Indian Association AGM Ball, New Years Eve Ball, Wedding Receptions, Social and Religious functions, Conferences, etc, were all held at the Skating Rink. Its very sad to see it in its present neglected and rundown state.

MYSORE MINE CLUB

2009-09-26T21:46:00.000-07:00

The Mysore Mine Club was a familiar hangout for the folks in Mysore Mine and Marikuppam just as the Nandydroog Club catered to the recreational needs of people of Nandidroog. The members played Badminton, Tennis, Snooker, Billiards etc and there was a well stocked Bar as well.

Old Map of KGF

2009-09-10T21:44:00.000-07:00

This is an old map of KGF which is displayed in the KGF Club. This will give you an idea of the place

OUR LADY OF VICTORIES CHURCH, CHAMPION REEFS, KGF

2009-08-24T05:28:00.000-07:00

The Steeple of Our Lady of Victories Church, Champion Reefs, KGF

According to the History of Bangalore Arch Diocese, Our Lady of Victories Parish Champion Reefs was established in 1890 by Fr. J. Fraysse, (MEP)

OUR LADY OF VICTORIES CHURCH, CHAMPION REEFS, KGF

2009-08-24T05:18:00.000-07:00

Our Lady of Victories Church, Champion Reefs, KGF

THE MOTHER OF MINES SHRINE, OORGAUM, KGF

2009-08-24T05:12:00.000-07:00

Mother of Mines Shrine, Oorgaum, KGF

SAFETY WEEK AWARD

2009-08-19T22:14:00.001-07:00

This is a picture of my dad Sydney White with his award that he received at the Safety Week celebrations in 1965 at the Gymkhana Grounds. My brother John, Mr Rajan, Viswa and Murthy are also see in the picture.

The Cynaide Dumps

2009-08-19T22:09:00.000-07:00

The gold mining process at the KGF mines has generated about 32 million tons of tailings called Cyanide Dumps. These dumps are the accumulation of the slurry waste and residue that was piped out of the mills, after the gold was extracted from the ore. The residue slowly hardened over time and formed huge hills around all the mines in KGF of soft fine dust. They were known as the Cyanide Dumps because of the cyanide content that was used in the process of gold extraction. The Mines used a special technique for gold processing that involved dissolution of gold in the ore by water soluble alkali metal cyanides such as sodium cyanide or potassium cyanide. The gold ore was first crushed and agglomerated in the mill and then dissolved in the cyanide solutions in order to recover the gold. This process was known as Gold smelting and the chemicals would give out a bad odour whenever the smelting process was done. The whole of KGF would stink on smelting day!!! Due to the continuous mining activity of over a century and the regular pumping of the slurry waste, these cyanide dumps occupy almost 20% of the total area of KGF. The dumps have hardened over the years and look like hills all around the place, some of them more than 30 metres in height. These Cyanide Dumps that have been deposited here since inception of mines have now become a tourist attraction and are used as a film location for shooting dance sequences of many regional language films. However, they are still an environmental hazard even today. Many people suffer from respiratory related diseases such as Asthma, Wheezing etc because of the fine dust from these dumps.

The Oogaum Library

2009-08-19T22:06:00.000-07:00

This is the gate leading to the Oorgaum Library and the Oograum Hall. English Movies were screened at the Oorgaum Hall for discerning minority who loved to watch English Films. The Popular movies in those days were, Ben Hur, Is Paris burning?, Bridge on the River Qwai, The Bible and later, My Fair lady, The Sound of Music, To Sir with love, Mary Poppins, etc to name a few.

The Oorgaum Library stocked books on various genre.

King George Hall Robertsonpet KGF

2009-08-19T22:04:00.000-07:00

This is the King George Hall in Robertsonpet KGF. It was famous for its snooker and billiards parlour in the old days

KGF Club Oograum KGF

2009-08-19T21:59:00.000-07:00

The KGF Golf Club was established in 1885 and is the oldest club in KGF. It has the distinction of being the 4th oldest Golf Club in India. In those days, it was totally out of bounds for the Indians, and only the British and Europeans could become members. This club was and still is affiliated to Indian Golf Union, and it has the best Golf course even today and the club is affiliated to all the major clubs in India.

These are a few pictures of the KGF Club taken during my recent visit to KGF. The mounted Antlers and Horns still adorn the foyer of the club. The grand Piano in the erstwhile "Ladies Bar"now lies unused and in need of repairs. The Billiards Room however, is still in good condition.

Mr John Taylor, The Founder of the KGF Mines.

2009-08-19T21:58:00.000-07:00

Mr John Taylor, The Founder of the KGF Mines.

CLASS PHOTO..STD IV KGF SCHOOL 1960

2009-08-19T21:54:00.000-07:00

This class photo was taken when I was studying in the 4th Std in KGF School. Mrs Monisse was the class teacher and Mr Dudley Pinto the Head Master. I'm seated 3rd from left. Seems a life time ago

KGF MINING HOSPITAL

2009-08-19T21:45:00.000-07:00

The Mining Hospital in KGF.

A well equipped hospital to cater to the medical needs and emergencies of the miners and their families was established by the John Taylor and Sons Company as early as the 1920s. This Mining Company Hospital slowly gained the distinction of being the best hospital in the whole of the Kolar district and was staffed with eminent British and Indian doctors and British and Anglo-Indian nurses. The wards were named after retired English Officers of the Company.

This Company Hospital was later recognized by the Indian medical council as a reputed center for the treatment of Occupational Diseases, such as Tuberculosis, Silicosis, etc. Medical Treatment was free for the miners and their families. A well maintained Maternity Unit was also later established in a separate wing of the Hospital.

However, now this Company Hospital with its expensive equipment and more than 200 beds has been shut after the closure of the mines. Most of the medical equipment has been stolen. The Hospital Wards named after the erstwhile British bosses such as Gideon Ward, Henry’s Ward, Morgan Ward, etc., are completely denuded of the beds and furniture and the hospital now resembles a haunted building. Most of the equipment has been pilfered, and the building is slowly falling down in parts. No one can imagine that this hospital was once the best hospital in the whole district!!!!!

IMPERIAL BAKERY, CHAMPION REEFS, KGF

2009-01-06T04:23:00.000-08:00

OORGAUM POST OFFICE

2009-01-06T04:18:00.000-08:00

2008-12-28T04:24:00.000-08:00

EBRAHIM IS NOW A GRAND OLD MAN OF 4 YEARS. HIS SHOP WAS FULL OF TASTY TREATS FOR US WHEN WE WERE CHILDREN

KGF BOY'S SCHOOL NOW IN A STATE OF DISREPAIR

Henry Shaft KGF

2008-11-25T04:56:00.000-08:00

HENRY SHAFT KGF

GIFFORD SHAFT

2008-11-10T04:14:00.000-08:00

KGF First Grade College, Oorgaum, KGF. I did my BA In this College and have many happy memories of my time spent in this College

St Joseph's Convent , Champion Reefs, KGF

2008-10-06T04:55:00.000-07:00

These are pictures of my old school St Joseph's Convent, Champion Reefs, KGF.

I was privileged to have studied in St Joseph’s convent school at Champion Reefs. St Joseph’s convent came into existence almost 150 years ago. Our schooling years were great thanks to our wonderful teachers. They instilled the basic human values in us that still hold good today. They taught us the importance of hard work, dignity, honesty, integrity and to strive for excellence in whatever we did. They motivated us to rise above the mediocre and strive for bigger things. So many of the old pupils of St Joseph’s and KGF School hold high positions the United Nations and the World Bank. They are scientists and doctors, principals and engineers around the world. I have very vivid childhood memories of buying jaggery and ground nut toffees through the Trellis of the Convent Kitchen . Also buying tuck such as green mangoes and guavas with chillie powder from the women sitting out side the school gate. Also borums, gutty palams ( don’t know the English word) green tamarind etc. Also Indian Corn and groundnuts.

I'm including some of the comments I've received about our School St Joseph's Convent below:
greatunknown Says:
June 23, 2007 at 8:14 pm
Excellent… oh to be a boy again!

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Vijay Says:
June 25, 2007 at 7:17 pm
Excellent post… I lived in KGF till I was 5 yrs old… remember some things vaguely esp the Christmas celebrations.. Mom used to teach at KGF school as well…

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latha vidyaranya Says:
une 26, 2007 at 10:01 pm
hello bridget, i passed this article on to my co-sister Ramadevi, affectionately called ‘rammi’ who shares these childhood memories with you. she said she knows you very well, that you lived next door to hers, her sister sandhya and her brother kesri also remember you and that she had even called you on phone recently after seeing your article on some recipes in the news paper. rammi sends her love to you.

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Bridget White kumar Says:
June 27, 2007 at 2:09 pm
Hi Vijay and the great unknown
Thanks for your comments on KGF Nostagia..some childhood memories. I’m sure it bought back to mind the lovely place that KGF was in those days.
Warmest Regards
Bridget

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Bridget White kumar Says:
une 27, 2007 at 2:13 pm
Hi latha

Lovely to hear from you and more so to know that you are Rammi’s co-sister. I also remember her, her parents Mr and Mrs Hiranaiya and Sandhya and Kesari with much affection. We lived next door and played together as children. Sandhya and my younger sister were class mates and friends as well. Thanks for passing on my writeup to all of them.
Bridget

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Resourceful Says:
June 27, 2007 at 4:40 pm
Wow, these childhood memories make you very nostalgic indeed. I grew up in Hutti Gold Mines, Raichur Dist, Karnataka (1970-1985). I could relate to most of what you said, similar place and happenings.

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Maureen Says:
July 4, 2007 at 5:49 am
Interesting article Bridget.
Mine were in a similar vein to your memories . I lived in a Railway Colony in Podanur. Happy childhood memories , gone bu not forgotten.

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Arvind Says:
July 5, 2007 at 10:21 pm
Hi Bridget,
You talk about your aunts being strict disciplinarians. Well, I studied in KGF School in the early 70s and I can vouch for that!
We were absolutely terrified of Miss Morris and Miss White! But the time we spent at KGF school was great fun and infact 22 of us (all classmates of the school) met up only last week in Bangalore!
Regards,
Arvind
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Jayaraj Says:
January 17, 2010 at 9:01 pm
Arvind
Hi i too studied till 69 at KGF School..don’t recall but if you can contact then we can connect……..after all KGF was a small town
rgds
Jayarj
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Bridget White kumar Says:
July 6, 2007 at 6:45 pm
Hi Arvind
Yes my Aunts were feared and loved by all their students. Sadly they are no more. But everyone remembers them with affection. What’s you surname by the way. We used to live opposite the skating Rink.
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Fred Says:
September 15, 2007 at 9:44 am
Hello Bridget!
An interesting read. Thanks. My interest in Kolar relates to my Grandfather who worked on the Mysore Mine in the early 1900s. I’d love to know how I can verify his existence at the mines. His marriage certificate (1905) indicates that he was a “millman”. Would you know of any authoritative sources (e.g. historical society) in Bangalore or Kolar from whom I could get information? Pls let me know. Incidentally, I was born in Bangalore! I look forward to ‘hearing’ from you.
Regards and good health. Fred

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Nandini Says:
October 22, 2008 at 11:09 pm
Hi bridget,
I don’t know which year you studied inKGF.I studied in St.Joseph’s Convent and was in BEML colony.Yes, I remeber KGF very nostaligally. The strict nuns ( we had Sis MAry of JEsus, Sis. .Maureen.Sis Margaret and others)inculcated so much discipline, so hard to find these days… I too am a journalist.
Would like to more about you and KGF if you still have connections

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bridgetkumar Says:
October 23, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Hi Nandini
Sorry for taking so long to get back to you both. I would love to meet up with you. I’m a self published author of 5 Anglo-Indian Recipe books. Please do visit http://anglo-indianfood.blogspot.com I’m sure you’ll ind it interesting.

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bridgetkumar Says:
October 23, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. There’s no historical society as such in KGF. However, you could get some information from the churches and Mr Valentine Powel who tries to keep a record of the old people of KGF. You could also verify the British Records on line.
Regards
Bridget

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Sr. Elsamma Jacob Says:
November 20, 2008 at 11:54 am
Dear Bridget Kumar,
Greeting for SJCKGF….
We were glad to see your write up… if you can contact me to address :
Sr. Elsamma Jacob.
Principal,
St. Joseph’s Convent Girls High School,
Champion Reefs,
Kolar Gold Fields – 563117.
Ph : 08153-274555

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USHA Says:
December 9, 2008 at 7:43 pm
I STUDIED AT ST.JOSEPHS TOO. LONG TIME AGO. FOND MEMORIES, DID MY MIDDLE SCHOOL IN EARLY SEVENTIES. SOME TEACHERS WE SR.MIRIAM, MS RODRICKS, EDWARDD SILVA, KAVALAVATI ETC. ANY BODY OUT THERE WHO CAN THRO SOME LIGHT? I REMEMBER Q A FEW OF MY CLASS MATES TOO. DAYS AT THE SCHOOL WAS AN ENRICHING EXPERIENCE. -USHA

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Jhansi Says:
July 1, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Hi Usha,

I too studied at St Josephs around the same time that you mentioned. I remember a classmate of mine named Usha who lived near the Five Lights. Is that you? It’s been ages that I moved out of KGF but to be honest, I cherish the memories of my childhood days at KGF….Teachings of our Teachers hold high values. I remember most of them with high regards. Hope to hear from you.
Regards,
Jhansi

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Venkatesh Says:
March 18, 2009 at 4:41 pm
We were neighbhours of the Gibbs in Robertsonpet. Mr Gibbs was a absolute delight, he had some really funny stories to share. He used to scold my mom for not feeding us chicken (we are vegetarians). And once my granny was really sick with a Asthma attack and he gave her a couple of teaspoons of his brandy. I remember Mrs Queenie Gibbs was so strict with us kids. I used to hate her as a kid, but can now to relate to her. I think the Anglo Indians really gave a lot of character to KGF. As a kid I also used to love watching them play hockey.
I would like to disagree with the author of this blog about KGF being one happy family. I dont think a similar sentiment will be expressed by people in all strata, especially the ones who had to clean the waste.

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Kumar S Says:
March 21, 2009 at 10:36 pm
Its great! to recall Memories…. of childhood of being KGF-ites

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Kumar S Says:
March 21, 2009 at 10:40 pm
As i born & bought up in KGF, i did my graduation in 2000, i would like to see people like Mr.K to share his thoughts as he did by everyone else.

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Jessie Singh Says:
July 9, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Hi Bridgette, & to all my kgfites who remember me
Interesting writeup Bridgette, we all have wonderful memories of our roots KGF, I think I stll have the opportunity to retain my beautiful, lovely house at Oorgaum. My Dad A.R.Singh, am sure will be remembered with a lot of affection. Well, I write this with pride my Dad A.R. Singh was known as the LION OF KGF, seem conceited ain’t I, well I am, very proud to be known as his daughter.
We sisters studied at St. Joseph’s Convent. Our teaching of the Nuns and Teachers were sure of high value. Strict disciplinarians. Recently I had the opportunity to speak with most of my classmates after 30 long years. Hope this reaches out to all my other schoolies. Love you all my kgfites.

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Jayaraj Says:
January 17, 2010 at 8:57 pm
Hi Jesie
I do remember you, maybe if you send your co ordinates we can re establish contcat
rgds
Jayaraj
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shantha Says:
July 27, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Hi Brigit and all others
I too am proud of KGF. I studied at St. Joseph’s and left KGF in 1969 after my PUC.My mother still lives in Robertsonpet and I visit her often. I live in the US now. Will love to hear from any of my friends.
Please reply

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R S ANANDARAJ Says:
July 29, 2009 at 7:34 pm
hi Brigit and all others I Studied in KGF School early 70 s terrifed of Miss Morris and Miss White but the time we spentin KGF School have grate fun my frinds are BURDY CLDWINDISE ASHLY PETERS DERIC BROWN HUGIN PETERS And many more now I am 52 years old working in NMDC As Deputy manager in iron ore mines chhathisgarh north india.

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Amarnath Says:

September 4, 2009 at 7:10 pm
Hi Bridget Kumar,

Thank you for bringing out some golden memories of KGF. I am a product of KGF School. Mrs Bothwick was my first class teacher followed by Miss. Pinto, Mrs Godfrey, Miss White and Miss Morris. Mr. Pinto was the Headmaster. I am proud of the teaching standards and discipline followed by the school, that formed the foundation to a successful career for me.I was living in Oorgaum (between the police station & railway station) and was neighbour to Miss Pinto (jr & sr). In my childhood days I was a frequent visitor to Oorgaum Hall to watch movies with my dad (VB Sudarisanan)and his friend ND Vogt. Later, I was working in BGML and used to visit KGF Club (ex Oorgaum Hall) and Nundydroog Club (Skating Rink). Now, I have settled in the UK. I would be happy to establish contact with my school mates and friends.

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kalpana Says:

September 8, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Hi Bridgette and all KGFites
Iam proud of KGF. I studied at St. Joseph’s and left KGF in 2001 after my PUC.Transfered to Bangalore only for the purpose of job.though the life style is different today but the happiness what we had in KGF is different simple life with more of happiness.
KGF life is really special with lots of sweet memories

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ravi chandran raj Says:

September 17, 2009 at 3:13 pm
hi briget,

I am from KGF , A MINING ENGINEER live in NAVI MUMBAI.

Every time i visit KGF , the roots. , wonderful memories ., the glories past of the place[little england] . , the great people who still love and pride KGF totally captivates me.

I have set up a trust known as JOHN TAYLOR TRUST FOR TECHNICAL EDUCATION [JTTE] THOUGH REGISTERED IN MAHARASHTRA WOULD OPERATE FROM MY FRIENDS BUNGLOW AT SMITH ROAD.

i want to make a documentary film on kgf picturising the feeling of life in kgf through the people .

trust will also work for setting up a ‘ JOHN TAYLORS MUSEUM’.’ JOHN TAYLORS PARK’, ‘JOHN TAYLORS GOLDEN GATE’ AND A LIBRARY.I AM GATHERING AS MUCH AS DETAILS ARTICLES FOR THE SAME.

been all over india there is no great place like the “little england”

no other country, and no other govt in the world would have left a place like kgf to its current level of status. lee.

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bridgetkumar Says:

November 14, 2009 at 11:46 am
Hi Ravi
Please email me on bidkumar@gmail.com
Bridget

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Maria Says:

September 26, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Hi All,
I am also from kgf and i am proud to be from such a beautiful place,i studied in william richards school and did my graduation in first grade college. i am really really happy to read this article about kgf….i am lucky to be a part it.There is no place in this world which i can compare to kgf..the love of neighbours,the celebration of all festivals, the 1st cross road, my college….i only have tears in my eyes now if i talk about my place. KGF is disappearing…..but i dont want it to happen. Is there any way to save KGF???? i want this beautiful place to be recognised again….Can we do something to save our place.i love kgf…i can never forget my memories in kgf…KGF hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

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P.B.Rajeshwaran Says:

October 10, 2009 at 6:40 pm
Hai Maria,
Im also from KGF, i studied my primary and middle school at st.Josephs Convent and my high school at st.Mary’s School, PUC at FGC and now working in the Gulf. I really accept all the fact what u have mentioned about KGF. “There is no place on Earth like KGF”. My parents still live in KGF and i visit them once in a year. I luv the place and the weather.

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bridgetkumar Says:

November 14, 2009 at 11:44 am
Hi Everyone. I’m overwhelmed with the response from all of you to my little article on KGF. Thank you all very much. For some real KGF Nostalgia and for some lovely pictures of all the familiar landmarks of KGF please do visit my Blog http://memoriesofkgf.blogspot.com. I’m sure you all will long for KGF all the more. Bridget

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jeromias paul Says:
November 20, 2009 at 8:43 pm
Hi Bridget kumar,
Thanks for your article, I along with my brother VINCENT PAUL studied from 1970-75, Still cherish the memories of my school days, I stayed in Marikuppam near Mysore hall, my friends were Samson,Simon jesudas,louis,chavan,bhartyfisher,keith brown,halge,morris,ashly peters etc.It was really great living in KGF we really had great fun,I am settled in bangalore right now.Hope KGF comes back to its glory some day.
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Bridget White-Kumar Says:
November 22, 2009 at 11:46 am
Thanks Jeromias.

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Suma Says:
November 23, 2009 at 8:57 pm
Hi everyone,
I too am a KGF. I was born there but lived in bangalore. Since it is my birth place, KGF/Andersonpet/Oorgaum station is very very close to my heart. My grandmom and my uncles still live there. I am right now in the UAE but make it a point to visit KGF every year without fail.
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kanina bose Says:
December 2, 2009 at 6:37 pm
hi bridget!
what a dream write up!i am from kgf too.studied in st josephz under sister mary of jesus.i passed out in 82 from school.your article has taken me back to those good old dayz!though we were from beml the anglo indian influence on us was strong.my daughter spent all her childhood summer holidayz in kgf and sayz that the bangarpet station is straight out of malgudi dayz!shez doing her architecture from delhi now.dr.saldahna and his family have been my friendz for long.do u know them? in fact rosa his daughter was my class mate.it was truly wonderful going down memory lane. god bless and lotz of luck and luv bridget.do reply!

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Napolean Says:

December 11, 2009 at 3:09 am
Hi Bridget/And all great KGF friends
Home Sweet Home Ther’s no place like home ,Dear friends I was born , brought @ studied PKSN/BGML SCHOOL batch 87/90 .old house 24 N.T BLOCK OORGAUM ,If i see any article or news about kgf my heart go’s back to golden days ,which will ever come ,going to mother of mines church,twon,sitting in railway station ,convent school girls waaa what a days ,christmas ,pongal time,my school & negibourwood friends ,when I will get all these back ,I sincerly pray god to bless the city of gold again & great good pepole ,,,bridget good work keep it up god bless you,,,,,Napolean Canada

Reply
Bridgetkumar Says:
December 14, 2009 at 11:45 am
Hi Napolean.Thanks. Seasons greetings and a Happy New year to all

Reply
Swarna Says:
March 10, 2010 at 8:36 am
Hi Bridget, Thanks for your writeup and I too share the same memories of KGF. Too bad its almost dead now.
I did my 1-10 in SJC and cant find such teachers anywhere now. The passion and discipline that they had is worth acknowledging. I am sending my Heart felt THANK YOU to all the teachers of SJC ( 1975-1985) through your blog

OOGAUM STATION

2008-09-19T05:53:00.000-07:00

In 1894, the Mysore Government financed the construction of a branch railway line 10 miles in length connecting all the 5 mines between Mysore Mine (Marikuppam) and Bowringpet Junction (Bangarapet) to connect the Bangalore Madras Railway line. Oorgaum Station was the main link for people in Nandygroog, Oorgaum also Robertsonpet and surrounding areas.

KGF NOSTALGIA… Some childhood memories

2008-09-15T05:18:00.000-07:00

I was privileged to be born and brought up in Kolar Gold Fields, a small mining town in the erstwhile Mysore State now known as Karnataka in India. K G F as everyone knows had a very sizable Anglo-Indian Population who lived and worked there for generations. It was well known for its colonial ambience with elegant bungalows replete with huge lawns and gardens and many clubs with tennis and badminton courts, golf courses etc. This place, which was known as “Little England” was unique for its secular and egalitarian society not found anywhere else in the world. Even though gold was being surface extracted by the natives earlier, K G F actually came into existence in the year 1880, when a small British Trading Company called JOHN TAYLOR AND SONS established the first shaft for systematic gold extraction. They continued to be the owners till 1950, when Mr. Arthur Taylor, the last of the Taylors handed over the company to the Government of Mysore. Since then KGF has been owned first by the state Government then later by the Government of India and now it is totally defunct. The mines were closed a few years ago and with it one of the most famous Gold Mines in the world came to an end. It is the end of an era.

Many generations of Anglo-Indians worked in the different mines in K G F in different capacities. Everyone was happy and contented. Since it was such a small mining town, everyone knew everyone else and for weddings, funerals, dances and other functions all the Anglo-Indians in K G F would more or less be present. Life in K G F was glorious and almost every family had a retinue of Domestic Helpers i.e. “Ayahs, Malis (Gardeners), Chokaras, Thais, Sweepers, Tea-Boys, etc. who were part of the family.

The A I boys studied at the K G F School in Nandidroog Mine, where my Aunts Pansy White and Beryl Morris were strict disciplinarians. The Pinto sisters, Mrs. Monnisse, Mrs O’Connor, Mrs Godfrey, etc were all famous and well loved teachers. The A I girls studied at St Joseph’s Convent in Champion Reefs, where the nuns Mother Margurite, Sisters Miriam, Mary of the Cross. Mary Presentation, Magdalene, Regina, Immaculata, Patricia, etc were equally strict. My aunt Luda Bertie, Miss Sharma, Mrs Johnson, the Steven sisters, etc are loved and remembered even today.

Childhood in K G F was blissful. No luxuries like the present generation but never the less happy with simple pleasures and games like Butch, Football, Throw ball, Spinning Tops, playing Rounders, and Seven Stones, “ L O N D O N”, flying kites (after coating the sting with “Manga” which is a mixture of glass pieces, paste etc so as to cut the other persons kite midair), I Spy and many other simple games. No T V then just a very old radio which would be tuned and switched on by the parents only, at times designated by them. Programes would be mostly news and songs from All India Radio and Radio Ceylon with Vijay Correra doing the honours. We would send in requests for favourite songs and wait eagerly for our names to be announced.

Now in a lighter vein, I would like to share a small childhood memory of the bathrooms/ Toilets in KGF. The houses in K G F were colonial style homes. Earlier, there was no underground drainage system, septic tank etc. As a matter of fact the modern W Cs were introduced only in the late 60s. Just aluminum Chamber Pots on Commode stands lined up in a row in the Toilets one for each member of the family, The Stands would be painted blue, green or brown with a matching wooden cover for each. In those early days in KGF we had Night Soil sweepers to clean the toilets. Every morning the night soil sweeper would come with her bucket to “Collect” the contents in the chamber pots and clean them with a mixture of soap solution and powdered Charcoal, which would make the pots literally shine like silver. This was quite a ritual and they would be inspected closely to see whether they were washed well without any residues left behind The pots would then be left in the sun to dry for some time while the sweeper lady washed the floors of the bathroom, then once again they would be replaced on their respective stands, ready for the day.

As children, we took this for granted as a way of life. Now looking back we cannot imagine asking present day children with their very luxurious bathrooms, which are now “Glamour Rooms” to use a Chamber Pot. The very occupation of the Night Soil Sweeper is now abolished and the old Chamber Pots have since vanished forever.

Likewise, K G F too is just a distant memory for all KGFites. The K G F of today makes us weep for its bygone glory. Long live K G F in the hearts of its erstwhile inhabitants wherever they may be.