Coastal Heritage Collective

Formerly known as Mangalore Heritage Group

Understand our Culture

In today's modern globalised world, it is easy to forget our identitity and where we come from. We are mostly unaware of Mangalore's rich history which is hidden in books, archives, documents, inscriptions, old stories and songs. We are a group of individuals trying to understand our history better and to have experts talk to you about the stories of this traditionally rich trading port town of Mangalore.

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Update: Sold out for now!
We are almost sold out but this poster we made with @khooshprajapati ‘s template was too pretty to not share 🙈
PS: Last 4 spots opened up because of a cancellation. Register soon!

🔔New walk alert
Caroline and Mervin are leading a walk in Bunder on Jan 25, 2026 (R-Day long weekend!)
⚓️What did this port mean to the Arab traders, Portuguese explorers, and the maharajas and sultans who lingered here? How did an 18th-century Mangalorean live? And what legacies did they leave behind?
🕵🏾‍♀️Our team members have been independently and collectively uncovering new stories—by speaking with experts as well as exploring books, libraries, museums, and archives across the Malabar coast and Europe—to add fresh layers to every Bunder walk.
☀️Start your day early this Sunday, support the movement, and most of all enjoy a wonderful morning (including a local breakfast) with us! 🥞
🤙🏾You can message us at 7022113134 to book a slot.

🔥 Yesterday, we were thrilled to be able to hand over to St Aloysius College, Mangalore, a drive containing the full digitised set of files of its historic Mangalore Magazine. This is a feat we were able to accomplish with the support of @archives_ncbs as part of their PAST programme that was introduced to enable digital access to rare and endangered collections documenting under-represented histories in STEM in India (1850-1995).
🔥 Mangaloreans will know that St Aloysius College was founded in 1880, one of the earliest colleges established in the region. It catered to only boys until the principalship of Fr Leo D’Souza (a scientist whose papers are also part of our archive) in the 1980s. The college started offering undergraduate degrees in the natural sciences in 1882, affiliated to the University of Madras.
🔥 Since 1897, they published a periodical named The Mangalore Magazine, which was much more than a college magazine. Fr Maffei, the then principal and rector of the college encouraged his students to do field work and research the region of South Kanara, and as a result, the magazine contained articles of historical & geographical interest. The only preserved volumes of this magazine (as far as we know) exist in the library of St Aloysius, and while there have been early attempts to digitise them, none were completely fruitful. Meanwhile, the paper was rapidly withering away in the Mangalore humidity.
🔥 To historians of the region, the magazine is GOLD. It also included some rare glimpses of Indian science academia in the late 1800s and early 1900s. So you see how this was a perfect opportunity for @labhopping and @mangaloreheritage to collaborate. 🔥 We are so relieved that the physical issues of the magazines now have the best chance of survival, and that the digital issues will soon be open access, for the use of students and researchers anywhere in the world.
🔥 Thanks to the Librarians and the administration at St Aloysius who have been incredible partners as we navigated our first ever archiving project. And of course thanks to @archives_ncbs for equipping us with the understanding and the skills to take this on.

🍾All about ‘25 - Part I
This year for us at Coastal Heritage Collective has been a mixed bag. In March, we registered ourselves as a trust, and since then we have been much more purpose-driven and intentional about there we put our energies into. That may have meant fewer public walks, but it has also meant deeper engagement with local communities and advocacy for the heritage of Mangalore.
In April, the news of the potential loss of the nearly century-old Belvedere church came as a shock to us, but it also brought about a big learning: heritage cannot be sustained unless communities recognise its value. To see, a community moving mountains to save their little church was an indescribable feeling (but of course, there is so much more work to do). We need a shift both at the grassroots and within policy corridors.
One of the highlights of the year for us came in November, with the co-curation of our very first culinary experience along with the family of @moni.shaaa_ at their heritage home. The amount of research, logistical planning and storytelling design that went into such experiences was intense. However, we believe these small, deliberate efforts will gradually build a wave of heritage consciousness within local communities and, maybe even encourage more responsible tourism.
(Continued in comments)

This Sunday! Free and open to all. If you plan to join, add yourself to this whatsapp group for easier and quicker communication: https://chat.whatsapp.com/EWgkhxsccBrCEWIebwb48h
See you there!
Background artwork: @santhoshdeepak.andrade

👣Last year, we took over 100 of you on a mini-walk through the DC office. This year we have another mini treat. @dr.pai98 will treat you to a bite-sized version of his classic Car Street Walk, a very short stroll + heritage storytelling to start things off before the talented @_sapnanoronha_ takes over to settle us all down for a sketch session.
🎨No training or expertise needed ✨
Please bring your own art supplies, water bottles, a small mat to sit on, and whatever else you think you may need for an outdoor urban sketch!
This event is free and open to all.
[Artwork in the poster is by @santhoshdeepak.andrade and is used with permission]

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Our Walkers say

I lived here most of my childhood and I didn't know stuff like this existed!

First walkers of MHG

Coastal Heritage Collective

Understand our Culture

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Our Walkers say