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The German and the Garden City

The German and the Garden City

The German and the Garden City

The German and the Garden City

The Man

A Multifaceted Genius Arvind Krishnaswamy

The name Gustav Hermann Krumbiegel may not light a spark of recognition in the average person in India today. Thousands of people use the nondescript Krumbiegel Road running on the western boundary of Lalbagh in Bengaluru but few perhaps know about the person it is named after. Krumbiegel’s work touches practically everyone even today in Bengaluru and many other cities of India. Next time you are on a morning stroll in Lalbagh, hurrying to your class amidst the flora and fauna of the Indian Institute of Science, admiring the Bengaluru Palace gardens or just walking down a tree covered street on a hot day in Bengaluru, appreciate the enormous contribution of Krumbiegel. For, it was his work that played a large part in Bengaluru’s fame as the Garden City of India. It is perhaps a fitting tribute that he was buried in the same soil that was the canvas to his art of gardening and much more.

On May 20, 1893 he came to India as Superintendent of State Gardens in and around Baroda. After spending about 14 years, he moved south to Mysore. Leaving aside all the work he is deservingly famous for, let us look at the lesser known side of Krumbiegel. By profession he was just a gardener excelling in landscapes and growing rare plants but he was a truly multifaceted and versatile individual.

During his tenure as director, Lalbagh saw many improvements that went much beyond gardening. The West Gate leading to Basavanagudi was opened in 1908 by acquiring private land. Gate lodges were built at the Main Gate. Electric lights were installed in the Glass House and all around the garden. Water supply was improved by building two large reservoirs at the top of hill adjacent to Kempe Gowda’s tower. Water was pumped up to the reservoir and then down to the gardens using gravity. He came up with innovative cold storage ideas for preserving fruits and vegetables as a means of encouraging more people to take up farming and get good returns for their efforts.1

Krumbiegel was primarily responsible for starting the Mysore Horticultural Society in 1912. The society’s goal was to promote all aspects of horticulture both in and outside of Mysore. Members paid between ₹6 and ₹18 per year. They were given free supply of plants and seeds, the free use of Lalbagh library, assistance to purchase plants and seeds from abroad and free tickets to the semi-annual Horticultural Show at Lalbagh.

The name Gustav Hermann Krumbiegel may not light a spark of recognition in the average person in India today. Thousands of people use the nondescript Krumbiegel Road running on the western boundary of Lalbagh in Bengaluru but few perhaps know about the person it is named after. Krumbiegel’s work touches practically everyone even today in Bengaluru and many other cities of India. Next time you are on a morning stroll in Lalbagh, hurrying to your class amidst the flora and fauna of the Indian Institute of Science, admiring the Bengaluru Palace gardens or just walking down a tree covered street on a hot day in Bengaluru, appreciate the enormous contribution of Krumbiegel. For, it was his work that played a large part in Bengaluru’s fame as the Garden City of India. It is perhaps a fitting tribute that he was buried in the same soil that was the canvas to his art of gardening and much more.

On May 20, 1893 he came to India as Superintendent of State Gardens in and around Baroda. After spending about 14 years, he moved south to Mysore. Leaving aside all the work he is deservingly famous for, let us look at the lesser known side of Krumbiegel. By profession he was just a gardener excelling in landscapes and growing rare plants but he was a truly multifaceted and versatile individual.

The name Gustav Hermann Krumbiegel may not light a spark of recognition in the average person in India today. Thousands of people use the nondescript Krumbiegel Road running on the western boundary of Lalbagh in Bengaluru but few perhaps know about the person it is named after.

The German and the Garden City

During his tenure as director, Lalbagh saw many improvements that went much beyond gardening. The West Gate leading to Basavanagudi was opened in 1908 by acquiring private land. Gate lodges were built at the Main Gate. Electric lights were installed in the Glass House and all around the garden. Water supply was improved by building two large reservoirs at the top of hill adjacent to Kempe Gowda’s tower. Water was pumped up to the reservoir and then down to the gardens using gravity. He came up with innovative cold storage ideas for preserving fruits and vegetables as a means of encouraging more people to take up farming and get good returns for their efforts.1

Krumbiegel was primarily responsible for starting the Mysore Horticultural Society in 1912. The society’s goal was to promote all aspects of horticulture both in and outside of Mysore. Members paid between ₹6 and ₹18 per year. They were given free supply of plants and seeds, the free use of Lalbagh library, assistance to purchase plants and seeds from abroad and free tickets to the semi-annual Horticultural Show at Lalbagh.

Krumbiegel’s work touches practically everyone even today in Bengaluru and many other cities of India. Next time you are on a morning stroll in Lalbagh, hurrying to your class amidst the flora and fauna of the Indian Institute of Science, admiring the Bengaluru Palace gardens or just walking down a tree covered street on a hot day in Bengaluru, appreciate the enormous contribution of Krumbiegel. For, it was his work that played a large part in Bengaluru’s fame as the Garden City of India. It is perhaps a fitting tribute that he was buried in the same soil that was the canvas to his art of gardening and much more.

On May 20, 1893 he came to India as Superintendent of State Gardens in and around Baroda. After spending about 14 years, he moved south to Mysore. Leaving aside all the work he is deservingly famous for, let us look at the lesser known side of Krumbiegel. By profession he was just a gardener excelling in landscapes and growing rare plants but he was a truly multifaceted and versatile individual.

During his tenure as director, Lalbagh saw many improvements that went much beyond gardening. The West Gate leading to Basavanagudi was opened in 1908 by acquiring private land. Gate lodges were built at the Main Gate. Electric lights were installed in the Glass House and all around the garden. Water supply was improved by building two large reservoirs at the top of hill adjacent to Kempe Gowda’s tower. Water was pumped up to the reservoir and then down to the gardens using gravity. He came up with innovative cold storage ideas for preserving fruits and vegetables as a means of encouraging more people to take up farming and get good returns for their efforts.1

Krumbiegel was primarily responsible for starting the Mysore Horticultural Society in 1912. The society’s goal was to promote all aspects of horticulture both in and outside of Mysore. Members paid between ₹6 and ₹18 per year. They were given free supply of plants and seeds, the free use of Lalbagh library, assistance to purchase plants and seeds from abroad and free tickets to the semi-annual Horticultural Show at Lalbagh.

Whatever he touched, he adorned

Raj Ghat
Raj Ghat
Brindavan Gardens
Brindavan Gardens
Bengaluru Palace
Bengaluru Palace

Krumbiegel maintained extensive contacts with horticultural experts in the USA, Australia and South America. New varieties of plants and seeds were exchanged along with information on advances in the field. In 1910, he sent seeds of seven varieties of mango to the US Department of Agriculture including Raspuri, Badami and Mulgoa but sadly they were found infested with mango weevil upon arrival.

As a tribute to his dedication, versatility and prowess in horticulture, K.S. Gopalaswamy Iyengar, an horticulturist of international repute, grew a distinctive variety of croton and named it after Krumbiegel.

Apart from being the Director of Horticulture in the State of Mysore, he was in charge of the Government Museum in Bengaluru for several years. During his tenure, he made several improvements to the museum which attracted about 3,00,000 visitors every year. He ensured that the buildings were maintained in good condition and also added new exhibits every year. He served the Museum until retirement from service on July 1, 1932. In recognition of his services, he was given a pension and rent free accommodation on Jayamahal Road by the Maharajah of Mysore.

On October 25, 1932, the members of Mysore Horticultural Society hosted a farewell event at Lalbagh. Sir Mirza Ismail, the Joint President, presented Krumbiegel with a crocodile leather cigar case as a souvenir.

In 1935, Lalbagh was extended on the western side by acquiring private land in Mavalli. A new road was built diverting traffic passing through the gardens and it was named after Krumbiegel. The old mud wall was demolished and a new one built to enclose the newly acquired area. The old West Gate was also reconstructed in its present location at Basavanagudi.

Outside of horticulture, Krumbiegel was one of the 17 founder members of The Mythic Society started in 1909 with the objective of encouraging the study of the Sciences of Ethnology, History and Religions. In addition, as its Honorary Treasurer he played a big role in ensuring its finances were in sound order besides collecting books to start its library. He continued his association with this society till his last days.

Krumbiegel was a member of the “Southern Brotherhood” Freemasons Lodge in Bengaluru where he served as a Junior Warden.2 For those not familiar, Freemasonry origins can be traced back to the 13th century and it is the world’s oldest and most secretive fraternal organization. It grew with the spread of the British Empire and boasts of many famous people who have been Freemasons.

Lalbagh - Krumbiegel's favourite garden was also his home for many years
Lalbagh – Krumbiegel’s favourite garden was also his home for many years

Even though Krumbiegel was born in Germany, he served in Bangalore Rifle Volunteers (BRV), an auxiliary infantry unit in the British Army. He held the rank of Lieutenant until July 15, 1913 when he was promoted to Captain. He resigned on August 27, 1914 about a month after the start of the First World War in Europe. Disregarding the facts, the British interned him for about three years. In a public statement, Krumbiegel expressed his dismay at this callous treatment.3

I am a German by birth, but I left my home in Saxony soon after serving my apprenticeship in horticulture and went to England in order to study for a year at the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew. Both the character of the British people and the rich sources of botanical and horticultural interest at Kew appealed to me so strongly that I never went back to my native land, but gladly accepted a post on the Kew gardens staff, from which I was subsequently appointed to India by the Secretary of State. I married an English lady and I sent my children home to England for their education.

Now, Sir, having lived for so long (close on 30 years) amidst British surroundings and under the protection of the British Government, it is impossible for me to look upon the war from a German standpoint of view. No one can admire more than I do the thoroughly fair and chivalrous way in which the British are fighting both on land and sea and I absolutely repudiate and condemn utterly the violations by the German army and navy of the rules of civilized warfare.

This letter is not actuated by fear of consequences.

I am a German by birth, but I left my home in Saxony soon after serving my apprenticeship in horticulture and went to England in order to study for a year at the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew. Both the character of the British people and the rich sources of botanical and horticultural interest at Kew appealed to me so strongly that I never went back to my native land, but gladly accepted a post on the Kew gardens staff, from which I was subsequently appointed to India by the Secretary of State. I married an English lady and I sent my children home to England for their education.

Now, Sir, having lived for so long (close on 30 years) amidst British surroundings and under the protection of the British Government, it is impossible for me to look upon the war from a German standpoint of view. No one can admire more than I do the thoroughly fair and chivalrous way in which the British are fighting both on land and sea and I absolutely repudiate and condemn utterly the violations by the German army and navy of the rules of civilized warfare.

This letter is not actuated by fear of consequences.

Krumbiegel had formed excellent relationships with many luminaries of the time including Sir M Visvesvaraya and Sir Mirza Ismail besides earning the respect and trust of the Maharajah of Mysore. He was asked to take up many tasks unrelated to his profession and he always proved his capabilities. Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar appointed Krumbiegel as secretary to the Mysore Dasara Exhibition Committee and was responsible for planning and arranging the annual exhibition. Sir M Viswesvaraya commended Krumbiegel for “the high standard aimed at by him in the arrangement of the exhibits and the thoroughness with which the work is done every year”.4

Besides educating and guiding the staff of the Horticultural Department, he was a visiting professor of Town Planning and Civil Design in the College of Engineering at Mysore University.

He was a member of the committee formed to create a 50-year master plan for Bengaluru in February 1950. The objective was to maintain its reputation as a beautiful and healthy city, regulate the future growth and prevent haphazard and erratic expansion of the city. Did we fulfill his objective? A look at the city today will answer the question.

It is said that Krumbiegel had a keen interest in music, literature and philosophy. Despite all his achievements, he remained simple, polite and generous until the end.

The German and the Garden City

The Tiger Hunt at Lalbagh

In March 1913, a tiger that was captured in Punganur in today’s Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh was brought to the Lalbagh menagerie or zoo. Four months later in June, it escaped while its cage was being cleaned, jumped over the 6 feet high wall into Upparahalli (part of Mavalli area on the western side of Lalbagh). People in the area panicked and started beating drums to scare it away. The tiger turned back towards Lalbagh and hid under a bush near the lake. Krumbiegel got some wire fencing from Bengaluru Palace and with the assistance of two officers from Cameron Highlanders (an infantry regiment of the British Army) attempted to trap it inside the bushes. Through careful maneuvering, the tiger was pushed into a drain beside the lake.  One side of the drain was closed and a trap was kept at the other end. One of the officers fired some blank cartridges into the drain to scare the tiger into the trap. Unfortunately, we don’t know how this adventure ended. When this story was published 5, the tiger had not been captured. Krumbiegel and his team were still on the hunt.

The German and the Garden City

The Tiger Hunt at Lalbagh

In March 1913, a tiger that was captured in Punganur in today’s Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh was brought to the Lalbagh menagerie or zoo. Four months later in June, it escaped while its cage was being cleaned, jumped over the 6 feet high wall into Upparahalli (part of Mavalli area on the western side of Lalbagh). People in the area panicked and started beating drums to scare it away. The tiger turned back towards Lalbagh and hid under a bush near the lake. Krumbiegel got some wire fencing from Bengaluru Palace and with the assistance of two officers from Cameron Highlanders (an infantry regiment of the British Army) attempted to trap it inside the bushes. Through careful maneuvering, the tiger was pushed into a drain beside the lake.  One side of the drain was closed and a trap was kept at the other end. One of the officers fired some blank cartridges into the drain to scare the tiger into the trap. Unfortunately, we don’t know how this adventure ended. When this story was published5, the tiger had not been captured. Krumbiegel and his team were still on the hunt.

The Film

In Pursuit of a Dream Ganesh Shankar Raj

The popularity of online video streaming gave birth to MINDIA, pronounced as “MIND” “IA”. The name was suggested by my friend Justus Hultgren, an art director from Sweden. It was a perfect match for our objective, since the team wanted to deep dive into the ”Mind of India” to present “Unknown, Untold, Unique & Positive stories of India”.

About six years ago, I heard the name of Gustav Hermann Krumbiegel during the annual flower show at Lalbagh. The name sounded fascinating but left me wondering. Who was Krumbiegel? As I talked to people and uncovered more information about him, I realised it would make for a great film. A new film meant looking for a producer or sponsor but my initial attempts with some German companies and the German Consulate in India failed to yield fruit. This did not deter me and I continued to do my research and film anything related to Krumbiegel spending my own money. Over time, the research findings and footage accumulated, but the film remained a dream.

Ironically, it was humanity’s worst calamity since World War II that secured the funding for the film. The rapid spread of COVID-19 in early 2020 put a stop to many public events and programs. One day out of the blue, I got a call from the German Consulate who were left with some money due to a cancelled event. They offered to partly support the making of the film. I said yes before they had even finished the sentence lest there was any second thoughts. After that there was no looking back. I had spent five years collating material and I had to just connect the dots to make my dream come true.

It was an extremely difficult time to make a film as many countries were completely shut down. Traveling was a nightmare and fraught with risk. However, all that was overcome by the sheer determination to succeed and I believe that a strong mind can move mountains. Filming in various locations within India along with Germany and England took about three months between 2020 and 2021. Post-production work took another three months. What made the film possible was also the respect that people have for Krumbiegel. He had led a very long and busy life and it seemed that this energy was somehow inherited by everyone involved with the film. It may be hard to believe but the entire location filming was managed by just four people – the production head, the director of photography, the post-production head & editor and myself as the director. Each of us had to juggle multiple roles to make it happen.

We did not stick to a rigid script but let the presenters or the Krumbiegel experts tell the story. We captured the footage and the final result was actually putting all that in a logical sequence. If you see the film, you will notice that there is no voice over or commentary and the visuals and music are layered on top of the story.

How we selected the Krumbiegel experts is also interesting. I met Alyia, great granddaughter of Krumbiegel in Bengaluru during her visit in 2017 and kept in touch with her. She shared a list of people who could enrich our film. We reached out to them before finally selecting the narrators you see in the film.

Besides YouTube, we are planning to showcase the film in a variety of ways. For example, from June 2022 onward, Lufthansa will feature the film as part of their in-flight entertainment.

There are many new projects in the pipeline at MINDIA. While we look for pan Indian content, there are some also interesting Bengaluru focused ideas around its food culture and Information Technology industry. It is the culture and traditions of Kannadigas that has helped the city become world famous today. I grew up in Bengaluru during the 1980s when the city was greener and cleaner. Through our upcoming films we want to share ideas that can help us to regain some of the lost glory.

(As told to Bengaluru.com)

In Pursuit of a Dream Ganesh Shankar Raj

The popularity of online video streaming gave birth to MINDIA, pronounced as “MIND” “IA”. The name was suggested by my friend Justus Hultgren, an art director from Sweden. It was a perfect match for our objective, since the team wanted to deep dive into the ”Mind of India” to present “Unknown, Untold, Unique & Positive stories of India”.

About six years ago, I heard the name of Gustav Hermann Krumbiegel during the annual flower show at Lalbagh. The name sounded fascinating but left me wondering. Who was Krumbiegel? As I talked to people and uncovered more information about him, I realised it would make for a great film. A new film meant looking for a producer or sponsor but my initial attempts with some German companies and the German Consulate in India failed to yield fruit. This did not deter me and I continued to do my research and film anything related to Krumbiegel spending my own money. Over time, the research findings and footage accumulated, but the film remained a dream.

Ironically, it was humanity’s worst calamity since World War II that secured the funding for the film. The rapid spread of COVID-19 in early 2020 put a stop to many public events and programs. One day out of the blue, I got a call from the German Consulate who were left with some money due to a cancelled event. They offered to partly support the making of the film. I said yes before they had even finished the sentence lest there was any second thoughts. After that there was no looking back. I had spent five years collating material and I had to just connect the dots to make my dream come true.

It was an extremely difficult time to make a film as many countries were completely shut down. Traveling was a nightmare and fraught with risk. However, all that was overcome by the sheer determination to succeed and I believe that a strong mind can move mountains. Filming in various locations within India along with Germany and England took about three months between 2020 and 2021. Post-production work took another three months. What made the film possible was also the respect that people have for Krumbiegel. He had led a very long and busy life and it seemed that this energy was somehow inherited by everyone involved with the film. It may be hard to believe but the entire location filming was managed by just four people – the production head, the director of photography, the post-production head & editor and myself as the director. Each of us had to juggle multiple roles to make it happen.

We did not stick to a rigid script but let the presenters or the Krumbiegel experts tell the story. We captured the footage and the final result was actually putting all that in a logical sequence. If you see the film, you will notice that there is no voice over or commentary and the visuals and music are layered on top of the story.

How we selected the Krumbiegel experts is also interesting. I met Alyia, great granddaughter of Krumbiegel in Bengaluru during her visit in 2017 and kept in touch with her. She shared a list of people who could enrich our film. We reached out to them before finally selecting the narrators you see in the film.

Besides YouTube, we are planning to showcase the film in a variety of ways. For example, from June 2022 onward, Lufthansa will feature the film as part of their in-flight entertainment.

There are many new projects in the pipeline at MINDIA. While we look for pan Indian content, there are some also interesting Bengaluru focused ideas around its food culture and Information Technology industry. It is the culture and traditions of Kannadigas that has helped the city become world famous today. I grew up in Bengaluru during the 1980s when the city was greener and cleaner. Through our upcoming films we want to share ideas that can help us to regain some of the lost glory.

(As told to Bengaluru.com)

The German and the Garden City

Ganesh Shankar Raj

Ganesh Shankar Raj was born in Kerala and is a resident of Bengaluru since the 1980s. Drawn to making films since his childhood, he started  Inner Eye World Films in 2006. The company is focused on films for corporate clients as well as major channels like National Geographic and Discovery. Ganesh’s interest in general knowledge, culture, history and heritage along with a bunch of talented filmmakers, editors, writers resulted in a new venture called MINDIA or Mind of India. MINDIA has made several short films of 4 to 5 minutes on unusual topics such as Mudhol Hounds which has been viewed over a million times.

Main Image: Krumbiegel Hall in Lalbagh before it was demolished in November 2017.

Sources:

  1. Mysore, A reprint of articles from the Mysore Supplement of The Hindu, 1937
  2. The Bombay Gazette, November 27, 1912
  3. The Bombay Chronicle, August 11, 1915
  4. Speeches by Sir M Visvesvaraya, 1917
  5. The Bombay Gazette, June 27, 1913

Photo Credits:

Krumbiegel Hall, Lalbagh © Dr. Parshotam Lal Tandon and licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.

Brindavan Gardens © Ashwin Kumar https://flic.kr/p/gJBkQz

Bengaluru Palace © Maneesh Upadhyay | Dreamstime.com

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