18th January 2005
Big cities, having lived in a couple, are rarely warm and friendly to strangers. Usually just large, merciless and fickle. Massive black holes, which consume hoards of gatecrashers ruthlessly. Which is probably why, despite its cosmopolitan nature and its Silicon Valley chip on the shoulder, Bangalore has consistently missed the 'Metropolitan' tag.
Studying in Mumbai, I often watched movies on my own or picked a book and sat at a café to kill time. Most times because my friends were too busy doing something else, and later because Mumbai's charming way of making one independent was also to turn them selfish. No one looks, bothers or cares to disturb. Their lives too busy to notice me. The need to watch their backs was greater, because the city was ruthless to dawdlers. Still is from what I hear.
My friend Hemal from the 'aamchi' city had come down. Took him to Road Trip, had a relaxed typical-Bangalore-working-evening dinner. He couldn't understand it; Mumbai didn't afford anyone such time. Everyone was always rushing to go somewhere, and the only friends you had were from work, so conversations always revolved around clients, what the next project was, and who landed what deal. There was no time to have a hobby or pursue one. Just work. And TV.
Bangalore on the other hand, is not a loner-friendly city. I've rarely seen someone sitting alone in a café because they have no one to talk to. Maybe it's because there's always time for friends, to make them and meet them. And competition has not reached a scale where working people need to feel threatened by each other. It lacks the vibrancy, the passion of Mumbai, but has the gift of comfort and camaraderie that I've gotten used to. So much so that Mumbai is now a happy memory that I don't miss. Bangalore spoils you for any other city.
From what I once heard, ours is a shared destiny. And civilization, at its own pace, is racing towards the same end. Every few years, we see antipodal cultures swapping ideals and values, and one will be where the other was. Guess everything comes a full circle, even the squares.
1 comment:
wrote this after living in Mumbai for 6 years and then another 2 years in Delhi, which, on some level, allows you same laidback control over time like Bangalore.
Mumbai.
the city of
small small
giants.
Delhi.
the city of
big big
dwarfs.
but, well, it was in a different context. nevertheless, the point is
the grind and grit and shit of mumbai makes one a small thing but powerful as a giant. maybe im wrong. maybe im completely right.
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