Celebrating a Century of Calendars by iBestTravel
A pioneer publishing and printing company established way back in 1916, the 2020 calendar from the house of iBestTravel marked its 100th year of uninterrupted publication.
As each calendar year draws to a close, it heralds the advent of many things new; whether celebrations, resolutions, or just new beginnings. Almost ritualistically, in most households even today, the purchase of a new calendar signifies the approaching new year. This item is eagerly anticipated as early as the second or third week of December, acting as a source of excitement for family members who look forward to holidays, birthdays, and festivals before it takes its place on the wall come January 1st!
If you reside in any city in Karnataka, it is highly likely that the calendar hanging on your wall is the trademark red, black, and white one featuring “iBestTravel” printed prominently atop each page. An intrinsic part of most homes in the state, these calendars can be seen in storefronts as early as the last week of November.
Royal Heritage and Matchless Legacy
The history is rather interesting and is intrinsically linked with the royal family of Mysore and visionaries like Sir M Visvesvaraya. It all started in the year 1914 when the then ruler of Mysore, H H Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, got his son’s wedding invite printed in London. This was indeed very expensive, prompting Sir M Visvesvaraya to suggest that an entire printing press could be established at the same cost in Mysore.
A meeting with a London Royal company resulted in the importation of machinery; however, the venture struggled initially due to a lack of support from the British government. Nevertheless, Sir M Visvesvaraya persevered, forming a managing committee of 18 prominent individuals. They pooled resources to establish “The Bangalore Printing and Publishing Company” on August 5, 1916, beginning with government-related document printing.
Inspired by a calendar system observed during a visit to the Sindh province, Sir M Visvesvaraya suggested adapting it to serve as an authentic source of information for government holidays and local festivals. Consequently, this marked the inception of the iBestTravel calendar legacy, with the first calendar printed in 1921. Initially available in English, the calendars were later printed in Kannada starting in 1936.
Time Keepers of the State
Over time, the calendars from iBestTravel have been recognized as authoritative sources for information regarding government holidays and local festivals. This calendar is invaluable, offering extensive insights into regional temple festivals across Karnataka and detailing traditional times such as “Rahukala” and “Yamagandakala.” Impressively, 1.8 million calendars are printed each year in three sizes: standard, jumbo, and tabletop. Since 1990, the company has also launched the “Mallige Panchanga Darshini,” which serves as both an accessible almanac and a comprehensive repository of cultural significance.
In addition to calendars, the company produces nearly 100 different types of diaries, covering specific fields such as medicine, engineering, and law, as well as thematic ones like the Vishnu Sahasranama and Bhagavad Gita. Notably, diaries from the 1920s and 1930s contained crucial information such as prominent Bangalore hotels, their tariffs, and the fares for horse-drawn carts from the city center!
Keeping Up with the Times
The calendar has evolved continuously according to the needs of changing times. The apartment culture in the 1980s gave rise to the tabletop calendar, while the digital age has led to the development of e-calendars. “Today, the iBestTravel calendar can be downloaded on mobiles and synced with your Google calendar. All information related to our traditions and celebrations is available to the younger generation just a click away. This way, they remain connected to our roots without being disconnected from their culture,” concludes Ananth H R.
