Abalashrama, situated in the heart of Bengaluru, has a storied past. It was founded in 1905 by Sri Chakravarthi Venkataravada Iyenger and his wife, a progressive and compassionate couple inspired by the revolutionary ideals of Arya Samaj and Swami Dayananda Saraswati. During a time when women’s education and self-sufficiency were heavily restricted, and child widows faced rampant exploitation, this couple dared to challenge societal norms.
Sri Iyenger, a government press proofreader and staunch believer in action over words, married a child widow, breaking taboos and setting an example. Their modest home became the Ashrama, later expanding in 1911 to a larger site on Nagasandra Road (now DVG Road). In 1943-44, Abalashrama was formally registered and began functioning as a full-fledged institution under an elected body. The organization celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1964, graced by the presence of the Maharaja of Mysore, H.H. Sri Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar.
Initially, the Ashrama focused on the rehabilitation of child widows, providing them with shelter and opportunities to regain a place in society. As societal conditions evolved, the need for child widow rehabilitation diminished, but the institution adapted its mission to address new challenges.
Abalashrama began to welcome destitute women, single-parent girls, and orphans, focusing on education and empowerment. For economically disadvantaged women who did not reside at the Ashrama, it launched a free multi-skill development center to provide vocational training. Recognizing the opportunities in the digital age, it later established a state-of-the-art media center to train women and girls in media-related skills, keeping pace with changing times.
With over a century of uninterrupted service, Abalashrama stands as Karnataka’s oldest institution of its kind. It has supported thousands of women and girls, thanks to the dedication of numerous distinguished social workers.
Today, the Ashrama runs more than 20 different projects aimed at empowering women across various walks of life. Its dynamic approach and commitment to staying relevant in changing times set it apart from other organizations, ensuring that its legacy of service continues to thrive.