Even after living on three continents, it was in Bangalore, my current city in my own country, that I experienced the most profound sense of unfamiliarity. Before moving here, I had taken for granted the subtle comfort of navigating a city where street signs were in a script I recognized, even if their meaning sometimes eluded me. It was five years ago when I first arrived in Bangalore that I began to decipher, and still only possess rudimentary skills in, reading Kannada from the ubiquitous yellow street signs that mark streets and neighborhoods across the city, much like the one pictured below.
Yellow Bangalore street sign for Srinivasalu Layout in Kannada script
Before long, I found myself captivated by the diverse styles of Kannada Street Lettering that adorn Bangalore. This urban exploration unveiled a city rich in typographic character, where every corner turned presented a new visual delight for a lettering enthusiast.
Many of Bangalore’s older establishments proudly display beautiful, time-worn signs that speak to the city’s history. The Madras Engineers Group, a distinguished engineering regiment of the Indian Army with a history dating back to 1834 in Bangalore (formerly known as the Madras Sappers), showcases a sign painted at their Bridging and Water Manship Training Area, a testament to their enduring presence.
Sign for Madras Sappers Bridging and Water Manship TRG Area featuring traditional lettering
Equally compelling is the signage for G. G. Welling, a photography studio that has been a fixture on Bangalore’s M. G. Road since 1903. Originally named S. Mahadeo and Sons, after G. G.’s grandfather, the studio’s sign is a classic example of vintage street lettering that adds to the area’s nostalgic charm.
Photography studios in Bangalore, in general, seem to possess a unique flair for eye-catching signs. Stella Studio boasts what is perhaps one of my personal favorites in the city. The original shop sign, with its faded grey lettering subtly visible beneath the current board, has been carefully preserved by the owners for over half a century, a tangible link to the studio’s past.
Stella Studio sign with faded grey original lettering visible underneath current signage
Venturing into the network of ‘mains’ and ‘crosses’ that characterize Bangalore’s residential areas reveals further typographic gems. Homeowners often create or commission their own signs. These personalized signs serve various purposes, from politely requesting drivers not to park in front of gates to humorously warning potential burglars about the presence of guard dogs.
Hand-painted sign in Bangalore warning against parking and mentioning dogs
Alongside these personal expressions are the functional warning and label signs from the Bangalore Electric Supply Company (BESCOM), almost invariably rendered in practical stencil lettering. These utility signs, though utilitarian in purpose, contribute to the overall street lettering landscape of the city.
BESCOM electrical warning sign in stencil lettering in Bangalore
As if this rich tapestry of styles wasn’t enough, Bangalore truly delights lovers of multilingual street lettering. Throughout the city, one can spot signs in Latin script alongside Kannada, Devanagari, Tamil, and occasionally Telugu, Malayalam, and even Bengali scripts, reflecting the city’s diverse linguistic heritage.
Sign for Corporation Bank in multiple scripts including Latin, Kannada and Devanagari
Are you as fascinated by letters as we are? Share your favorite examples of street lettering on Instagram or tweet us @alphabettes_org using #letterlove.
