I have often been asked what brought me to Bengaluru. The city has an allure and charm that cannot be found anywhere in the world. Apart from the obvious IT attraction, the cosmopolitan vibe of Bengaluru is what draws people to it. We have people from all walks of life – from the North, East, South and West. And we have somehow found a way to coexist, cohabit and learn from one another. In some ways, Bengaluru is a mini India. And of course, there is the climate, the food and accessibility that attracts people. It is quite a tolerant city and offers enough opportunities to explore new avenues everyday.
I moved to Bengaluru from Sweden in November 2006. My work with the Volvo Group IT put me with one of the units here. My responsibilities included everything from being a cultural liaison to finding space and working with HR.
The company was expanding at that time. Finally I decided to stay and continue taking care of operations here.
I am a wee bit biased towards Indiranagar where I stay. It is one of the areas in the city that has undergone the biggest transformation in a short time. Being here for 12 years, I can confidently say it has changed completely, but without losing its charm. Even amid the traffic snarls on the main road and the rampant development with restaurants, bars and shops, you can still find peace and tranquillity. It has its share of parks, bylanes and open spaces with plants and trees. I like that you can find contrasts as well as peace and quiet so close to the main road. It is definitely my favourite part of the city where I love taking my morning walks.
Apart from Indiranagar, I sometimes go to Cubbon Park on Sundays for the dog park. That is an exciting venture. I also explore the older parts of the city, from time to time, including Malleswaram. There are a lot of unexplored places that have great potential in the city. I hope to spend more time discovering the city in my own way.
If I had to compare it to Gothenburg, where I am from, the people are quite similar. Wherever we are, the needs are still the same. We are all looking for opportunities to explore, eat food suited to our palette and commute easily. Gothenburg is an industrial city founded in the 1600s. It evolved at a slow pace with sustainability and infrastructure at its heart, which signifies everything Sweden. We were able to do so because we are only 10 million people in a big country with a stable democracy that has seen no war for over 100 years. I don’t think Indian evolution has reached the same stage for a comparison.
However, from a Bengaluru perspective, I must confess it is polluted, crowded and has its share of downs. But that’s also due to the fact that Bengaluru was not designed to be this kind of a city and the authorities have not been able to cope with the massive expansion that has taken place here.
Meanwhile, my deep connection with the Bengaluru music scene has only grown deeper over the years. I have seen it evolve by leaps and bounds. The Western Classical music scene itself, which I have been part of for over a decade, has also evolved. It has come to a different level of awareness, interest and willingness among people to learn and explore. I’ve seen this especially in young people. They have been tuning into classical music and classical composers. That is heart-warming to see. Western Classical music is also being promoted by music schools as well as individuals. The new generation is on the brink of taking over in this evolution. That is exciting to be part of. My work in the Bangalore School of Music is also helping me to influence that evolution in a positive way.
So would I call myself a Bengalurean? Definitely! After all these years here, I’m proud to say I’m a Bengalurean. It is also home. I’m blessed in that way. I have two homes – one in Sweden and one here in Bengaluru.
So no matter which direction I travel, I always say I’m going home. Without sounding clichéd, home is definitely where the heart is and where family and friends are. That is not just the physical home. And while I have my family back in Sweden, the friends here I’ve gained through the music scene, help me feel just as much at home here as I am in Sweden.
A s told to
Allan Moses Rodricks
This column features the city through the eyes of a prominent Bengalurean
