The Bygone Bangalore

Once upon a time, long long ago.....

Bangalore was the undisputed and unchallenged honey-moon capital of the South. That was before we discovered Bangkok and Bintan and  Bentota.

You got married anywhere in the south and the only place you wished to go was Bangalore .  Sometimes immediately, and sometimes after the mandatory visits to the many temples of Tirumala or Guruvayoor or Murudeshwar or Madurai, Trichy or Tanjavur.

North of the Vindhyas boasted of Shimla, Kashmir, Darjeeling and Kulu-Manali, but the south had the one and only Bangalore. Even newly weds from Bombay & Pune rediscovered themselves in our wonderful Bangalore !!

And why not ?

A wonderful chill weather throughout the year : encouraging closer cuddles and tighter huddles.

The majestic Majestic : Movie halls every 5 metres. Motels and restaurants for every pocket. From Rs 40/- for a double deluxe to a hundred for a honey-moon suite !!

Honest Autorikshaws:  who would return your 2 rupes 20 paise change without a prompt or polite reminder.

Luxurious Lal Bagh: with sprawling lawns and cast iron benches under shady trees for the newly wed love-birds to roost.

Brigade road for the hepp ones :  lined up with pubs,  and live bands belting out BeeGees, La Macarena & Tequila !!

And Shopping ? Can start right after you come out of the station on those raised foot paths. Nepali women selling warm clothes for those who came unprepared for the chill . 

Blue pullovers for the boy , and embroidered  maroon cardigans for the girl. And checked mufflers and those once ubiquitous brown Korangu-kulla ( monkey cap - Indian version of ski-mask ) that you don’t see no more !

Wide roads to walk freely and no Sri Rama Sene to interrupt your PDAs. ( PDA = Public Display of Affection )

No long Qs at MTR and  an always available  cozy corner to nurse your  piping hot coffee at the  India Coffee House  on MG road and a relaxing book browsing session at Ganga Rams  on the second floor !

Those days, Bangalore life was wonderful

Indranagar to Majestic in 13 minutes flat !  

Fill up your car tank under  Rs 300/-

Full meals in Woodlands at 25/- coconut water, cane juice, coffee  at 5/- and a bowl of warm Basundi for Rs10/-..

Yes, Bangalore was a dream come true.

That fresh air & that morning dew ..

Now, Bangalore, what happened to you ??

Krish..