Bangalore Bits - 1

Bangalore – The city that always was a dream. While growing up, a trip to the city with my dad was a treat that was more desired than a day off from school. An early morning train ride that was made more memorable by the fragrant masala dosas and maddur vadas which were ferried on the shoulders of many familiar vendors some of whom we knew by name and in turn we were known simply as sir or madam or amma. That was Bangalore - with its India Coffee House and British Council Library. What a city it was – Bangalore – the Garden city, wide roads, larger than life trees, great cinema, Kalakshetra and pubs . Bangalore – where life could be perfect…nearly perfect!!

That was then! This is now!

The first word that came to my mind as I went through the immigration when I arrived was ‘chaos’. Utter, absolute chaos. …The beginning of a vacation eh!!

The day after I landed I drove through the roads and have been driving since. One year is not a long time is it?? And yet, it seems like a very long time. The traffic was terrible this time last year. If that was terrible, what is this?? Maha terrible would be an understatement. It’s almost like every person is going around with his/her own personal escort screaming ‘hoshiyaar!! Here comes…so and so’ and blowing and banging loud trumpets and cymbals. Each horn is unique to its owner…but they are all the same – loud and ear shattering. Before I left Seattle a friend who was recently here for the very first time in his life said, ‘I can’t believe how noisy India is!’ and I had laughed. I’ve had a headache for a while now….everyone talks louder, people scream, the TV or music system is always on, people constantly interrupt conversations and I just keep looking at everyone like I have never seen them. I think everyone is going a wee bit deaf in the city.

I watched a couple of plays at the Rangashankara Theatre Festival. Watched ‘A Deep Friend Jam’ and like most of the audience came out wondering if I really am that dumb. The person on my left was yawning for most part of the play and the person on right was fidgeting through out. All of us were sighing deeply for lack of comprehension and checking our watches willing time to move faster. If someone here watched it and understood all the acts, please educate me…..Then there was Vijay Tendulkar’s Ghasiram Kotwal in Kannada. Directed by Jayshree, it was quite enjoyable. The last time I saw Jayashree on stage was when I was 14. The play was Kusumabale and the repertoire was Rangayana of Mysore. How time flies…it’s been almost 15 years!!

Ate Mum’s Biryani, and even better ate Nandhini’s Biryani…(I hope all the bengaloorians are shedding drool and tears…muahhahhahaaaaa!!!!) I have a long list of places to eat at…will be sure to keep the US parians well informed…I am a temporary ISparian, aren’t I??

The last 2 days have been phone call days. I am certain I have forgotten to call some important uncle or some favorite cousin and will have to put out fake fires in a while from now. ‘You never called me!!! What?? You have forgotten us or what??’ oh what joy there is in such nok jhok!!

The funniest call was also the first of what I believe is something I better prepare myself for. This person called and hung up when I answered. Then he called and I could not hear what he said. And I had no clue about who was making blank calls so soon after I landed here. Finally I thought I’d better find out who was trying to reach me (of course, secretly I hoped it was an old charmer) so I called back.

“Hi, I just received a call from your number and I was wondering who this might be.”
“Who did you give the number to”?
Pause “err…excuse me but I just received a call from your number and I was wondering if you just called me on my mobile”
“Yes, I did. But how many people have you given this number to?”
interrupted by MIL, so I say something in Kannada and step out of the house for a bit so I don’t have to pretend to be this nice goody girl who does not yell at strangers on the phone.
“this is so and so, did you just call me? (tone is a bit more business like)
“parvagilla nananna kannada dale maataadsa bahudu” (oh! that’s ok, you can speak with me kannada)
“Ananthu!!!!”
laughter
A few more sentences exchanged and then “Can I call you back?? I am at my in laws??”
A very apologetic Ananthu….
Much later I was driving back home and had a long talk with the (in)famous Ananthu. He was very worried that I might get distracted by his jokes and teasing while driving thru’ the Bangalore maze. I also learnt that Ananthu dear was good to me and that a certain Miss Aditi almost recruited a certain Bratz Pradz to some company on another galaxy. Boy was Ananthu good to me!!

Back home I watched a kannada movie – Aaptamithra which is a rip off from manichitrataazha (is that the right spelling??)….It is the first Kannada movie I have watched in several years. That call was interrupted by another blogger bud. Gosh I love bloggers!!!

Speaking of weddings…there’s one just around the corner. Can’t wait for banana leaf food and fun times with cousins.

Home sweet home!! More later!!