JOIN USThis photograph, with my close neighbourhood friends, was taken in 1965 at my parents’ house in Jayanagar when all of us were in our 20s. It was taken after we won a tennis ball cricket tournament. This picture brings back pleasant memories of our friendship and old Bengaluru. I would like to mention that since in those days, colour processing was not available in Bengaluru, the studio person had to get it done in Chennai.
Life in those days was simple. Our responsibilities commensurate to our age were also not demanding. They would mainly include buying small household articles for daily use. The skill and the speed with which the shopkeeper used to take the order, weigh it and pack it with old newspaper tying a thin brown thread was all a treat to watch; the later generation kids didn’t have a chance to witness this.
Readymade coffee powder was uncommon and parents insisted upon freshly ground powder. The process was interesting and we used to love this chore, because it was an opportunity to take all the friends riding a bicycle to Gandhi Bazar from Jayanagar and hand over the seeds tin fitted onto the cycle carrier to the coffee works. A token in the form of an acknowledgement used to be handed over by the coffee works boss at ‘Aruna Coffee Works’. I never imagined then that the girl’s name I would marry will be Aruna. While the seeds were processed, we would go to the nearby Vidyarthi Bhavan and eat dosa at 30 paise each. Due to paucity of money, we had to be content eating 3 by 5 dosa or 4 by 7 dosa. Now, customers will be shown the exit door if a similar request is made.
From watching movies at Nanda, Shanti, Uma, Liberty, BRV, Plaza, Vijayalakshmi, Rex, Naaz, Empire and Lido theatres to buying tennis ball for tennis ball cricket tournaments and outstation Lambretta scooter trips to Mysore, Nandi hills, Devarayanadurga and Anekal — anything that we had to do, had to be executed involving the entire gang of friends. Some open spaces in Jayanagar were easily accessible and they served as cricket grounds for us. Other favourite spaces were M N Krishna Rao Park and the National High School grounds. Walking and going doubles on bicycle to school used to
be a big adventure. Scooters were meant for special occasions.
Old Bengaluru’s weather pattern is incomparable to what we are witnessing now. Winter clothing was a must during winters while going out and woollen blankets a must when going to bed at night. Fans were very rare and were not a necessity. Movement, whether walking or driving, was easy, there were no traffic lights, police presence was at a minimum, and generally road discipline was better.
We are 5 (now 4) children to our parents. 3 of us were brought up from almost our childhood days in this house of ours (where the photo was taken). Even our children were brought up in their formative years in the same house. My parents, M G Krishnan and M Ramadevi (no more now), have 11 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. My mother was privileged to share her life moments with all the grandchildren and great grandchildren except the latest great grandchild.
Joint families were in vogue during our time. The values instilled by our elders remain with us and our children. The joint family system also had a positive effect on the nature
of our friendships as regards to sharing and caring for one another.
One friend’s house was everyone’s house. We had the privilege of elders’ blessings, not only from our parents, but also from our friends’ parents.
Academics and physical activities were given equal importance. Particularly during the summer holidays, my friends and I engaged in outdoor and indoor games from morning till evening. The list comprises traditional games played in the streets and conventional games like ‘lagaore’, marbles, carrom, cards, chess, badminton, volleyball, basketball, cricket and table tennis. It was just so much fun!
Gradually, as time passed, the activities and interests of yesteryears had to take a back seat in the quest of academics, professional career and marriage. The gang of friends had wonderful and exciting careers in different fields — aerospace, engineering and infrastructure, banking, academics and human resource management. Sudheendra superannuated from HAL as the executive director, Helicopter division and Venkatesh as the general manager from the same division. Alahan, on the completion of IRS, retired from a top position in the railways, Ravichandra as the registrar from Bangalore University and I, as the deputy general manager, Corporate HRM, Mico Bosch. Presently, I live in J P Nagar.
Some friends even chose to go abroad and visit Bengaluru once in a while. The remaining group of friends who live here still meet and reminisce about those golden days. Like our revered parents, we have been elevated to the status of grandparents.
We continue to look forward to whatever excitement is still left and life’s learning which has no end.
(The author can be contacted on prasad_mallavaram@yahoo.co.in)