Life is simple and I like to keep it that way. It’s easier to let it run its course rather than steer it in our own misdirection. My name is Anbalagan but everyone calls me Anbu. I am an offset printer and I am very happy with where I am now.
I hail from a village called Pudhupalayam in the taluk of Polur of Thiruvanamallai district in Tamil Nadu. I was in the printing business there with a letter printing press. That’s where I learnt this trade. After I completed my standard 10, I was sitting idle at home without a job. So a family friend got me the job in the press. The owner taught me the job and it stayed in my head ever since because I developed an interest for it.
After my sister was married, I got married and had two kids in the village. My monthly salary was Rs. 650 and I could not support my family with that income. So I called my uncle who was staying in Bangalore and he put me in touch with a printer here who employed me. I came to Bangalore in 1987. After working there for about 10 years, I decided to move out and start my own printing press. In these last few years, I’ve managed to improve my business in a big way.
It was a dream come true to have my own offset printing press but I did not plan any of it. I have faith in God and everything fell into place at the right time and right place for me. I am very satisfied with my life. When I came to Bangalore the first time, it was almost as thrilling as going to a foreign country. Even after I went back to my village from Bangalore, there was a lot of respect from my fellow villagers who used to gather and enquire about the big city like it was a foreign place. But now, Bangalore has developed even further at a pace that is scary and has its pros and cons.
While the development has been great, on the downside, there are a lot of printing presses cropping up now. Business is not like it used to be. The thriving offset printing business we had some 10-15 years ago is not there now. Digital printing has taken the city by storm. I have a desire to expand my business and have a bigger press but I’m not going to worry about it. It will come at its own time if it’s meant to happen. I don’t want to plan anything. I have faith so God will take care of it.
I have a desire to build my own house in Bangalore. I also don’t want my children to follow in my footsteps. This should get done with me since this business is slowly fading away to newer and faster occupations. I have four children – three girls and a boy. After setting them on their path and getting them married, I have a desire to serve God and help the poor and needy in any way I can.
