Bengaluru-based Meera Iyer has dedicated her life to discovering and restoring unexplored heritage buildings, ensuring they are preserved for future generations.

It was a visit to the Devanahalli Fort that led her to this path. “During my visit, I realised there was a lack of online information about its history and heritage. This 18th-century building is gradually fading into obscurity, losing in the debris of time,” she says.

The 53-year-old joined INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage) in 2007, which is a non-profit charitable organisation dedicated to conserving unprotected architectural heritage in India.

At INTACH’s Bengaluru Chapter, Meera informs that they host heritage walks to familiarise people with their city’s heritage and also preserve and restore heritage buildings.

Meera also initiated outreach efforts through the publication of a book called, ‘Discovering Bengaluru’ which explores the history and evolution of nine older neighbourhoods in the city. In the past years, they have restored buildings in and around Bengaluru such as Mayo Hall, Tipu’s Armoury, Gangubai Hangal, Museum, the Old OPD Building at NIMHANS which is now a museum, and the Oriental Research Institute in Mysuru among others.

“We’ve been involved in the construction of two buildings in Shimoga for the Shimoga Smart City initiative — a Government Middle School and Shimoga Corporation building. Currently, our focus is on the ongoing projects, including Mani Villas, the institute, and a train station called Nandi Halt,” she says.

Apart from awareness and restoration, she also is trying to work with the government to do something about getting heritage legislation to protect heritage buildings.

“My ultimate goal is to find myself without a job. This scenario signifies the perfect situation where heritage is fully protected, and the community as a whole is deeply invested in its preservation,” she says.

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