I was born and brought up in Delhi. When I came to Bengaluru in ‘86, I came here kicking and screaming. My mother (Late Kathak guru — Maya Rao) gave me a two-year time frame and said if I didn’t like it here, I could go back to Delhi. I made friends here from the day I landed and that is what keeps me going even today.
Initially, I thought Bengaluru was a boring space. But, gradually learnt it is a creative space. This city offered me a quiet space to create. Then of course, you have to choreograph your own life and not complain about what you have or don’t have.
I was staying in Gandhi Nagar in my father’s ancestral home with 13 rooms. I had to walk up to Maharanis College and walked a lot. I remember Gandhi Nagar was already becoming a commercial space back then. It was also a culinary paradise and reflects the ethos of the old Bengaluru. I even remember eating dosas at Vidyarthi Bhavan.
We would watch movies in Majestic with classmates. We would stand in lines and buy tickets. In college there were plenty of student bodies that worked on all forms of art including painting, theatre and dance. There was a lot of human interaction that I feel is missing today because of the advent of the internet.
Life was peaceful and roads were never clogged with vehicles. I studied at (Natya Institute of Kathak and Choreography) NIKC and would commute on my moped. Those days, distances did not feel much. I could manage my studies in Mt. Carmel College, dance at NIKC and teach dance in various schools across the city. I don’t think I could have done this in any other city those days. I could travel from Malleshwaram to Jayanagar in 15 minutes.
But my growing up years are in Malleshwaram as my mother was born here and started NIKC. We have Jaaga, Crafts Council and every road here has a music or a dance school. I have walked here for years. Now you can’t cross the road without waiting for five minutes.
A walk to Sankey Tank was a ritual. We had comic shops and cycle shops where we would rent bicycles and cycle around the neighbourhood.
Malleshwaram for me was like coming into this green fresh space as by then Gandhinagar was already crowded. We had bakeries that would sell cakes with coconut toppings. Life was much simpler. We wanted the company of our loved ones and had no technology.
I see the difference as a dancer as the enthusiasm to watch a show has also diminished. People normally ask you to send them a link which they prefer to watch on their phones. Many don’t want to drive from Whitefield to Chowdiah for a show. Bengaluru traffic has done us in. So, we normally do shows in the South and the North of this city. I need to leave two hours in advance to watch a show in Ranga Shankara.
Live cultural centres are not thriving as much as they did in the past. But, change seems to be a constant. Landmarks have changed too. People recognise Mantri Mall more than the Mallehswaram Market now.
The city is getting violated in the way it is being used, misused and abused. But, people always get together to fight for this city. Whether you are a dancer, writer or just an activist, issues always unite people here. That is special to Bengaluru.
The bright side is now we are a popular city, a melting pot of cultures. In the morning I can go to a temple concert and in the evening to a jazz concert.
Every artist wants to perform in Bengaluru as the audience is very accepting. It is a balance of tradition and modernity. That is what this city offers. It has become so multi-cultural which is why everyone feel comfortable here.
As told to Shilpa Sebastian R.
(This column features the city through the eyes of a prominent Bangalorean)
