It was second part of 20th century, Bangalore was a tiny town with population not more than 5 lakhs. Few Sthanika Brahmins from Dakshina Kannada migrated to Bangalore and started their life in a place which was very close to the nature. Total number of Sthanika community in Bangalore at that time was less than hundred. It was in 1963 when about 60 Sthanika members met, discussed and decided to have an association for the growth and unity of the community. These members met in the residence (“Lakshmi Thunga”) of Late Shree B. Vittala Rao and Late Shreemathi Padmavathi Vittala Rao to give shape to “Shree Subrahmanya Seva Sangha” which is the root of today’s ABSBS. Late Shree Bappanadu Vaasudeva Rao was the president and Late Shree B. Vittala Rao was the first secretary and treasurer. Self motivated Shree U. Gopala Rao became the convener.

It was the era where transport and communication was limited. Despite these limitations, the committee members worked hard to contact each community person in the every corner of the city. They contacted the community and encouraged the community members to be part of this Sangha and become active members. It was their belief, motivation, selfish less hard work, that led to the solid foundation of the Sangha.

Since 1964 to 1974, many able personalities dedicated their time, got involved in many activities of the Sangha and took the Sangha to the next level of heights. Late Shree Bappanadu Vaasudeva Rao, Late Shree N.D. Krishna Rao, Late Shree Kudpi Subrahmanya Rao, Late Shree Aadyapaadi Bhujanga Rao (B.A. Rao), and Late Smt. Padmaavathi Vittala Rao were some of the great notable personalities who became presidents of the Sangha and worked hard for its progress. At this juncture, Late Shree Southekal Shankara Naarayana Rao, Late Shree Adoor Ramakrishna Rao, Late Shree B.A. Rao, dedicated their efforts as joint secretaries and treasurers. Kolpe Shree Ramakrishna Rao, Late Shree B. Ashoka Rao,  Late Dr. Ramachandra Shastri, Late Shree Kunjoor Shreedhara Shastri, U. Gopala Rao, Vaachaspathi Aaathmaraama Shastri, Bappanaadu Bhaskar Rao and Chendukala Vishnu Rao were main members of the Sangha.

Initially the activities of the Sangha were limited to the annual general body meeting and Shankara Jayanthi celebrations. These two activities were held jointly. This program used to be conducted in the Corporation High school of Dispensary Road and Gandhi Nagara for few years. Later it used to be conducted in RV Teacher’s training college in Jayanagar.

During 1960-70, the Sangha got a special, auspicious opportunity of darshana bhaagya, paada pooje and having the prasadam at the time of Chaaturmaasa fasting of Late Shree Parama Poojya Shree Madabhinava Vidyaatheertha of Shringeri Mutt in Basavanagudi.

A separate committee was formed in 1974 with the sole purpose of getting the registration for the Sangha (Shree Subrahmanya Seva Sangha) from the Government. As a result of this, the Sangha  got the registration, and grant from the Government in 1976. In 1978, the activities of the Sangha got multiplied and the Sangha was renamed as ‘Akhila Bharatha Sthanika Brahmana Sabha’.   Certain resolutions related to the Sabha were formed. It was also decided to celebrate Shankara Jayanthi as a separate event. Apart from this, Sabha started celebrating some regular events like Rugupaakarma, annual tour to nearby places etc. The Sabha got excellent support from the community members. As a result, the membership count got increased and funds started coming to the Sabha.

Since beginning, every member had the ambition of having own building and premises to the Sabha. Shree Kudpi Bhujanga Rao strived hard and gave immense momentum to this initiation by collecting funds from various sources and people. He gave a solid foundation to this initiative. As a result of this determination and effort, Sabha was able to have its own premises near Kengeri.

Another significant milestone in the growth of the Sabha is the birth of the community magazine “Sthanika”. This magazine started in 1981 as a fortnight magazine with the purpose of reaching the activities of the Sabha to the members, to provide regular updates about the events etc. Shree B.V. Rao played a significant lead role in this initiative. Later in 1985 Shree Ajaavara Shivarao who was the secretary at that time along with the significant help from Shree I. Ramamohana Rao who was the senior officer in News and Broadcasting department in Delhi converted this Sthanika magazine into a government registered/recognized magazine and made it as monthly magazine. Since then many scholars and thinkers such as Shree B.V. Rao, Paarthasaarathi, S.S. Joshi and Krinshnananda have significantly contributed to the editorial work of this magazine.

Later since 1976 the Sabha has seen various able leaders like Shree Late M. Ramachandra Rao, Late B.A. Rao, P. Venkata Rao, Ajjavara Shivarao, Late Sothekal Shankaranarayana Rao, Gangadhara Shastri, S.S Joshi and B. Sharath Kumar who have not only provided the stability to the Sabha but also provided good growth.

In 1986 the Sabha achieved one more notable milestone.  That is to host and to take the responsibility of organizing and coordinating various activities of “Abhila Bharatha Sthanika Brahmana Sammelana” that was held in Bangalore. The Sabha took the entire responsibility of providing the hospitality to various Shthanika Sanghas who have come from all over India. This also helped Sabha to establish a strong network among the community across the country.

Since 1995 when Bangalore grew exponentially, the Sabha also caught up the same pace and started various initiatives like creating sub-committees for focused purposes, printing of address book containing the details of each members, annual events calendar etc. As a result the Sabha’s membership grew above 800. Donations and contributions from various community members poured in to support the activities.

Employment committee worked hard to help the educated youth to look for the employment and jobs. They conducted various activities in support of this objective. Education committee rolled out various scholarship and education loan schemes to the poor students to support their education. This has really helped to many community people to get educated and get jobs. Various initiatives and trainings were conducted by the education committee to the students to make them more competitive. The marriage committee facilitated for wedding matches as a result, brides and bridegrooms could exchange their horoscopes, look for the matches and get married to lead a happy family life. Cultural committee took the responsibility of organizing various events like Annual Meeting, Tour, Shankara Jayanthi etc. They galvanized various volunteers to ensure the success of each event conducted at the Sabha.

21st Century is another milestone in the progress of the Sabha. By 2001, the Sabha had entered into its successful 25th year. Many had a dream of having a community hall to the Sabha. This dream became reality in the form of Silver Jubilee Memorial - Jnanashakthi Mantapa. Within four years this dream became reality and it was a significant effort from many people in the community to achieve this miracle. Donation work Rs, 65 lakhs were collected from various corners and the mantapa was built in the memory of 25 years of success. Road to this place also was constructed by purchasing the land from multiple people. By God’s grace, no problems or issues were faced during the construction and as a result the Sabha now has a building that can be used for all gathering and celebration purposes. The hall has all modern facilities, has enough space to accommodate large guests.

With this foundation, success and efforts from multiple great personalities the Sabha has been conducting various activities that are quite useful to every aspect of life. The current leadership has been keeping these activities live and interesting. Many individuals, families, students have taken significant benefits from various initiatives of the Sabha. Like this the Sabha has been an important epicenter of activities that produce good citizens to the society and enable the community to live in unity, harmony, love and peace.

Note: The above information is collected from different sources by word of mouth, referring different magazines and other sources. Some info may need correction and additions. In case if you observe any corrections needed, please contact Sabha for the correction suggestion.