Celebrating Shade

A short note about shade, written to accompany a large print of a photograph by Ganesh Shankar, displayed at the 2^nd edition of Neralu, Bangalore’s annual tree festival

The shade of this tree at Halebidu, Karnataka, attracts a lot of afternoon visitors

Shade is why Sonali chooses that large Gulmohar to stand under, preferring to run the short distance to the actual bus-stop once she spots her office bus rumbling down the dusty road each sweltering morning.

Neralu is what makes Basavaraja smile and take off his sunglasses, as he drives through a stretch of highway surprisingly lined with tamarind trees, which embrace each other across the otherwise-barren route.

Chaaya from the colourful semal tree is what tempts Bijoya into playing a few more rounds of hop-scotch, not heeding to the sternly clanging recess bell.

Tanal is why Kuttan relaxes under a cluster of coconut trees when he returns from a hectic morning of fishing, sitting there to eat lunch, keeping an eye on his boat moored on the beach.

Savali helps complete Nitin’s summer afternoon fun, of stealing mangoes from Bhonsle kaka’s orchard and slurping the pulp out of them, seated under the very same tree.

Nida is what draws Gowramma to the banyan tree for a spot of gossip with friends, after a tiring day walking around parts of Kakinada, selling home-made khajas.

Chaanv is what makes the Banbehi tigress at Bandhavgarh crawl into a bamboo grove in the afternoon, to escape the unforgiving summer sun.

Nizhal is what momentarily cools down Senthil’s blistered feet, as he seeks refuge after hopping across the scorching stones at the Madurai Meenakshi Temple in the afternoon.

Saaya gently nudges Ismail’s eyelids shut, and he naps unawares, though he only meant to rest under that Neem tree for five minutes before he pushed his guava cart ahead.

Celebrate shade in all its forms. Celebrate Neralu.

Namma Bengaluru

Nine years ago, when I arrived in Bangalore, I myself was a ‘visitor’ and an ‘outsider’, having lived in Bombay all my life. After I overcame the initial unsettling months, the city & I got to know each other. I watched as Bangalore ‘developed’, I discovered its secrets, learnt Kannada by myself and sent locals into giggling fits, lamented the indiscriminate felling of trees, signed petitions, sighed as local favourites moved or shut down, unable to cope with ‘globalisation’, and, watched old buildings with character being swept away by nondescript glass blocks. Now, after Bombay, there’s no other city I’d rather live in than here.

My first post this year is about fulfilling a promise I made to myself – to write about the city I now call home. Bangalore holds the promise of many stories; however, this once, I’m not sharing stories but some information about the city. An advisor on online travel communities, I realised that there is a dearth of information about Bangalore. I want to chip in with my favourites and my tips, something not found in guide-books; an insider's perspective.

If you’re worried about travel, stay or other information, go straight to what your guide-book may not tell you. To know what you can do in & around Bangalore, see this post. And last but not the least, read this to see what Bangalore offers those who want to wine & dine.