The Mythic Society

For students and researchers, of ancient Indian history and culture, the Mythic Society library situated on Nripatunga Road, in the heart of city of Bangalore is a loving place. Its library houses 40,000 books old and new. Religion, philosophy, language, literature, Indology, archeology, epigraphy, sociology and many other topics. Its magnificent Daly Memorial Hall has witnessed several incidents of my life, sad and sweet. This is the spot where rich tributes were paid to late Dr. C. Sivaramamurti, Dr. G.S. Dikshit, my husband Dr. K.L. Kamat. It is the place, where I had occasion to listen to scholarly speeches of the learned as also spirited discussions. I have presented papers more than half a dozen times on social history and felt elated when I was felicitated along with four other ladies for contributing to original research in history and culture, some years ago. It has the some respect in the city as the Royal Asiatic Society had in Mumbai and Calcutta in bygone days.

The society was founded by European scholars and residents of Bangalore in 1909. The aim of the society was to encourage study of history, ethnology and religions in Southern India. Its first president was the first director of the Indian Institute of Science as well, which was founded in the same year. Father Tabard, a Frenchman and the Parish priest of St. Patrick's Church became the second president and served for long.

The Maharajas of Mysore and some Dewans were patrons.

The members used to meet atl east once a month and some one amongst them delivered a talk and discussion followed. To start with, only 17 members were there. Within a year, its membership rose to 176. The building and library came into existence in 1917, on the site provided by the then Dewan of Mysore, M. Vishveshraya.

Main donation came from the Resident Hugh Daly who also showed keen interest in the activities of the society. Hence his name is given to the hall. Prof. S. Krishnaswamy Iyengar, the distinguishes historian who was pioneer in bringing out South India’s contribution was the only Indian member. Many scholars from India and abroad sent their donations including Ashutosh Mukherji.

Daly Memorial Hall has historical portraits of famous historians and presidents who were closely associated with the Mythic Society, on all its walls. The high ceiling and strong imposing pillars represent the steady Indian culture along with the love and respect of its members, through years. Dr. M.K.L.N. Shastry an engineer and teacher by profession and great lover of art by volition is the present president of Mythic Society.

The Quarterly Journal of the Mythic Society (QJMS) was started at about the same time. Old issues of this journal contain invaluable articles on Indology, religion, philosophy of great scholars of those times and Karnataka in particular. Dr.Suryanath Kamath, the distinguished historian is its present editor for more than quarter of a century now. There are publications brought out by the society on rare topics like Time in Indian Art, Mythology and Culture, Date of Mahabharata etc. The society has hosted several seminars of national level and has conducted Diploma in Indology.

The year long centenary celebrations of Mythic Society started on May 4, 2008. Several seminars and speeches are arranged true to the original spirit of the society.