My Bangalore Cityversary

Today is a special day for me, celebrating the city that embraced me a few years ago and became my home. I’ve been living in Bangalore for quite some time now. I arrived here on November 24th, a few years ago, full of hopes and dreams, having decided to work in this vibrant city and informing my family about it.

Little did I know, I would come full circle, reconnecting with my roots in ways I never imagined. Bangalore, with its blend of modernity and history, boasts iconic sites like the Bangalore Palace and Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace. These landmarks reflect the city’s rich heritage, adding historical depth to its contemporary charm. Today, I celebrate not just the city, but the journey and the connections that have made Bangalore feel like home.

Since there were no direct flights from my city or from Indore (which is about a 4-hour drive from Bhopal), I opted for a train journey. The trip was around 30–32 hours long. As I traveled, other passengers were bewildered, staring at me with animated expressions that seemed to ask, “Why? When? Where? How?” One guy sitting opposite me even started questioning me about why I was traveling alone to Bangalore. I responded, “Why should you know?”

To break the ice and put my moral science lessons into practice, I told him that I was traveling alone because I wanted to. He found it unusual for a young girl to travel such a long distance without company. In response, I asked him where he was from and about his interests. He said he was from Jaipur and a Madhubani painter, heading to Bangalore for an exhibition with his staff. I have great respect for artists, so I couldn’t help but be polite. I let down my guard and started a conversation with him. He encouraged me, saying he would wish me well as I was setting out to start a new chapter of my life in a new city, alone.

He spoke with me for a few hours until it was time to deboard. He became busy attending to his staff and getting his large paintings off the train. Amidst the chaos, I got off the train and began figuring out how to navigate the railway station. He saw me looking clueless and ran toward me, asking if I needed help. I assured him that I had a friend coming to pick me up. Before I left, I had emailed a couple of friends, including my pen friend from Shimla (whom I had never met in person), about my visit to Bangalore. I had no confirmation or expectation that anyone would come to pick me up from the station, just an intimation that I would be arriving.

Upon learning of my plans, my friend insisted that I come to her place, where she would help me find a place to stay. I told her that I had already done my research and narrowed down several Paying Guest (PG) accommodations. However, she insisted that I stay with her.

To reassure Mr. Ashok that I wouldn’t be lost in the city, I mentioned that my friend would be there shortly. After some convincing, he gave me his visiting card and told me to contact him if I needed help. After bidding him farewell, I walked toward the exit and, to my surprise, saw one of my friends approaching me. I wasn’t expecting anyone to pick me up at the station.

We drove to my pen friend’s house, where I learned that she had arrived at the station to surprise me but was unable to meet me. Despite this, she insisted that I stay with her rather than at the PG I had planned to stay in.

I stayed with her for a month, and we got to know each other better. We were the same height, had similar demeanors, and overall shared a lot in common. We cooked together, went for walks, and learned about life, the city, and how to find a job. We had a wonderful time together. After a month, I decided to move out to a PG, where I lived with a sweet family who had a young daughter. She was a breath of fresh air, and I enjoyed my time there immensely.

The landlady treated me like a member of the family, making sure I felt at home. She would care for me when I was sick, even feeding me when I wasn’t well, and surprised me at midnight on my birthday with a cake and celebrations. She became the first family I was connected to in Bangalore. Over the years, I’ve been part of many milestones in their lives, whether it was the little girl’s first dance recital or her entry into the professional world after opening her own school. I’ve been there through their joys and worries during emergencies. I feel blessed to be loved and taken care of, and to witness so many of their important moments.

Bangalore has also introduced me to some incredible people, such as the tailor who acted as my guardian in this new city. He would travel 12–15 kilometers to deliver my stitched clothes to my home, so I didn’t have to go to his shop. He knew I often hadn’t had lunch when I visited him in the afternoon, and he would even order food for me. Sadly, he passed away a few years ago, and I was heartbroken.

Another kind friend and his family, who ran a departmental store in my locality, always looked out for me. If they saw me walking home from work without an umbrella, they’d send someone to bring it to me.

I also stayed with another lady for a while, who was living apart from her husband due to personal issues. We enjoyed each other’s company, and she would pack food for me to take to work and would insist I take the fruit she had prepared for me. She went through tough emotional times, and I kept her in my thoughts and prayers. When the time came for her to reunite with her husband, I moved out to set up my own place.

I moved closer to the office and stayed in a house where the owner’s family also resided in the same building. They took great care of me and ensured I stayed as happily as possible. This family remains in touch, and I have been part of their celebrations. They have a daughter who is still close to me, and she reached out when her father was celebrating his 50th birthday. Who reaches out to a tenant and becomes so close in cities? I feel so happy to be surrounded by amazing people who live by the values this city embodies.

Living alone and managing my own home in this new city has been a great learning experience, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it.

New Discoveries in Bangalore

• The word ‘chumma’: It means “just like that,” “for no reason,” or “casually.” I was surprised at how frequently this word could be used in conversation.
• Seeing men lying on the roads drunk: Initially, I thought the city was indifferent, as no one seemed to attend to those lying on the ground near bus stands, in the middle of roads, or by shops. I assumed they were sick or had fainted, but no one bothered to check.
• Most independent houses were caged in iron frames: This was a common sight for security and protection.
• The use of the word ‘shalwaar’ instead of ‘shalwaar-kurta’: It refers to the entire women’s ethnic wear. In Bhopal, we used to call this ethnic wear ‘shalwaar-kurta, which is commonly worn by women in many parts of India.
• Colour coordination in women’s kurtas: In Bhopal, women are too particular to wear the exact matching colours, whereas many women in Bangalore would pair their kurtas with black and beige colours.
• Women wearing socks with floaters and slip-ons: I also noticed women wearing sneakers with Indian wear, which was quite unique to me.
• Rain attire: As soon as it began raining, people could be seen wearing mufflers and woollen caps, which I thought was unusual.
• The tube buses and day passes: These allowed travel across multiple buses throughout the day, making commuting more flexible.
• Sandalwood and turmeric paste: It was often smeared on women’s foreheads, a common part of their daily routine and a cultural practice.
• Corncobs sold year-round: I was surprised to see corn being sold throughout the year, unlike in other places where it’s seasonal.
• The city’s structure: Bangalore’s areas were divided into “Crosses” and “Mains,” with colonies being referred to as “layouts.”
• Hair sacrifice by women: I was surprised to learn that women often offer their hair to deities as part of religious rituals, resulting in their bald heads.
• Women working as bus conductors and auto rickshaw drivers: These were roles I had not seen elsewhere, which stood out to me as empowering.
• Local dishes: Some unique dishes I encountered were Vaangi Bhaath, Bisi Bele Bhaath, Chow-Chow Bhaath, Chitranna, Puliogare, Pudi, mini idlis, and more.
• Warmth of strangers: People were always friendly and helpful, which made my experience even more welcoming.
• Commonly used phrases: Expressions like “Parva illa” (no problem), “Tiffin aayta?” (Did the lunch come?), “Channagidde” (It’s good), “Channagilla” (It’s not good), and “Oota aayta?” (Had food?) became part of my daily conversations.
• Early morning liquor shops: The sight of fancy liquor shops opening early in the morning was something I wasn’t used to.
• Auto rickshaw drivers’ identity cards: Drivers displayed their details on an identity card at the back of their seats, which I found to be a good safety measure.
• Jackfruit as a fruit: Jackfruit was commonly sold and eaten, which was a new experience for me.
• Warm water at restaurants: The practice of serving warm water instead of cold water was quite different from what I was accustomed to.

I am forever grateful to everyone who helped me feel welcome in Bangalore. This city has been kind to me. The people here have made my life interesting and worth living. The best part has been the excellent workplace, supportive colleagues, amazing managers, exciting projects, and above all, the opportunities to learn.

Bangalore has given me so much, and I can’t imagine working anywhere else. I’ve learned a bit of Kannada and gained a deeper understanding of the city’s culture, its festivals, and its rich heritage. While I was encouraged to learn Kannada, I was never forced to, and my beliefs were always respected.

As I reflect on my journey in Bangalore, I realise how deeply this city and its people have impacted my life. The kindness, warmth, and support I have received have made Bangalore more than just a place to live — it has become my home. Each day, I am grateful for the connections I’ve made and the love I’ve received. Long live Bangalore and its incredible spirit.