1939 Bangalore’s South Parade: Plaza Theater, Higginbotham’s
A rare 1939 photograph of South Parade Road in British-era Bangalore (Bengaluru). It features three much-loved landmarks that once defined the city’s social and cultural life: Plaza Theater, Higginbotham’s bookstore, and Funnells (also Funnels) bar and dance hall. South Parade is now better known as Mahatma Gandhi Road (M.G. Road), one of Bangalore’s busiest and most recognisable streets.
Plaza Theater opened in 1936 and became a popular venue for Hollywood films. The first Hollywood movie screened there was Broadway Melody, the theater continued operating for decades, finally showing its last film in 2005.
Higginbotham’s, the celebrated bookseller and publisher whose roots stretched back to Madras (Chennai) in 1844. By the early 20th century, its stores had spread across South India. The pictured Bangalore branch opened in 1905, making it one of the city’s enduring literary landmarks, which is still in active operation today.
Then there was Funnells, a legendary bar and dance hall that added a distinctly lively touch to South Parade. Run by an Irish couple, it became a popular gathering place for British officers, soldiers and residents. It became particularly lively during the two World Wars. Believed to have opened around the time of the First World War, Funnells remained a fixture of Bangalore’s social scene until 1947. Click image to enlarge.
Did you know – after Funnells closed down in 1947, the building was taken over by the “Deccan Herald” newspaper.
