This weekend, Yelahanka New Town will host an exhibition titled Mapping Memories: The Lost Spaces of Yelahanka, exploring the transformation of the area over the past three decades. Visual artist Lakshmi Nagaraj, who has lived in the locality since she was in Class 4, leads the project. The exhibition is the result of memory mapping exercises conducted with 35 local residents and interviews with them.
The exhibition, set in a parking space, highlights how Yelahanka has evolved from a serene locale with forested areas and fewer amenities to a bustling suburb with malls, gyms, and gated communities. Nagaraj describes public spaces as a true leveller, noting diverse perspectives from residents.
Upper-class residents lament the loss of greenery and old eateries, while lower-class individuals value improvements in infrastructure like roads, bus connectivity, and affordable housing. The exhibition captures these contrasting views: from nostalgic memories of tea stalls and temples to reflections on the closure of beloved spots like Sharavathi Hotel and the Sri Sai Circulating Library.
Nagaraj also shares her personal journey, noting her initial dissatisfaction with the area’s limited amenities and her growing appreciation for its parks, lakes, and cleaner air. Supported by Project 560, a neighborhood engagement initiative by India Foundation for the Arts, the exhibition will be held on August 3 and 4 from 11 am to 8 pm, opposite the State Public Library in Yelahanka New Town.