I first came to Bengaluru about 25 years ago, and used to visit on and off during my trips to India. It was in the year 2000 however, that I finally decided to settle here. The main reason was that Bengaluru was pleasant and livable, which is not something you can say about many metropolitan cities in the world, which tend to come across as quite unfriendly. Here, despite the population being in millions, the small town feel was more pronounced than that of the city. In those days, the architecture really stood out, and cinema halls were small and cosy. That pleasant architecture has been affected a lot today, with many old buildings torn down and replaced by concrete and glass Singapore-style structures. And back in the day, the best part was that every part of the city was easily accessible, and there wasn’t so much traffic, but now the whole infrastructure has collapsed, with over five million vehicles on the streets if I have my facts right. If Bengaluru wants to remain a world-class metropolis, it needs proper infrastructure and public transport to decongest the streets.”
But that said, over the years the city’s cultural mix has changed too, which, coupled with the amount of money flowing into the city’s economy has led to better appreciation for things like cuisine and culture. The increase in cash inflow has caused many people to have an interest in investing some in culture, which has led to the creation of interesting cultural spaces which are willing to do experimental things — like Ranga Shankara, Jagriti, Shoonya and Attakalari. So there are some positive takeaways.
I still like to spend time in places like Majestic and Shivaji Nagar, which remind me a little of the city I first came to all those years ago, with the odd cinema hall that still has not become a multiplex. Of course, these areas are developing too, but they still give me a sense of nostalgia. Maybe because I am getting elderly.
From a writer’s point of view too, things have changed. The presence of writers of various kinds in the city has led to a larger circle of colleagues, which came in handy when we were setting up a writing course for aspiring authors.
Twenty years ago, you would have had to import teachers and it would have been hard to get students, now you can find both within Bengaluru. It’s pretty much the same with food as well. A decade ago, if someone opened a Mexican restaurant, everyone would be raving about it. Now you can get just about any kind of international cuisine right here in the city. If you want a good Japanese meal, it’s just a matter of finding a good restaurant, not considering a trip to Japan. In many ways, the world has arrived in Bengaluru.
As told to Sooraj Rajmohan
This column features the city through the eyes of a prominent Bangalorean