“The magic of the street is the mingling of the errand and the epiphany,” writes American writer and activist Rebecca Solnit in her book, Wanderlust: A History of Walking. Bengaluru’s many streets not just offer a peek into this confluence but are also emblematic of the city’s primary motto: “Swalpa Adjust Maadi”.
Endless wait: At Nayandahalli in Bengaluru. | Photo Credit: SUDHARAKARA JAIN
The vast network of roads and streets in India’s fourth most populous city is often a haunting reminder of the neglect, indifference, corruption and injustice that, unfortunately, is part and parcel of any urban centre in the country. But it is also a site of joy, culture, commerce, humour and quirks.
Innovation on wheels: At Nagarabhavi in Bengaluru. | Photo Credit: SUDHARAKARA JAIN
From a dog who seems surprisingly content to wait for its owner, tethered to a gas cylinder, to glimpses of the city’s major bugbears, garbage and traffic, and some remarkably creative instances of what is called jugaad, Bengaluru’s streetscapes offer glimpses into a vibrant, innovative, pluralistic, if somewhat chaotic, city.
Burden of the past: At Laggere in Bengaluru | Photo Credit: SUDHARAKARA JAIN
The highs of work: At Sumanahalli In Bengaluru. | Photo Credit: SUDHARAKARA JAIN
A stick to rest: At Mysore Bank Circle in Bengaluru. | Photo Credit: SUDHARAKARA JAIN
New tools, old ways: On Infantry Road in Bengaluru. | Photo Credit: SUDHARAKARA JAIN
Oh, no! A road accident in Bengaluru. | Photo Credit: SUDHARAKARA JAIN
Published - April 28, 2025 06:51 am IST
