This photograph was taken in 1974 at Hotel Chalukya, Basaveshwara Circle in Bengaluru.
I was serving in Indian Telephone Industries Ltd (later ITI Ltd) at that time. The picture was taken during the farewell party of the in-charge, G Parthasarathy, when he superannuated from the services of ITI Ltd.
I have lived in Bengaluru all my life and spent most of my growing up years in and around Bellandur (near HAL Airport). I completed my primary school from Bellandur village and middle school at HAL Sanitary Board Middle School in Yemalur near HAL New Town Airport. In 1957, I joined Acharya Patashala in Narasimha Raja Colony (NR Colony), Basavanagudi to finish my high school.
Those days, I used to walk around four kilometres from home to HAL bus stand, crossing vast and barren lands. In the 1950s, Bellandur Lake was in good condition with clean water. We used to enjoy watching sea planes landing and taking off from the lake.
After completing my education, I joined the Indian Army and travelled to many places during my tenure. After retiring from Indian Army, I joined ITI Ltd.
Commuting in old Bangalore was easy, there were no traffic jams. I used to cycle 10 km from Halasuru to ITI Ltd, located in Dooravaninagar (near KR Puram).
I enjoyed my cycle rides because there were lush green pathways on either side of the road. The lake adjacent to the highway was filled with clean and clear water. It was indeed a beautiful sight.
My friends from ITI Ltd and I would regularly meet at Cubbon Park, Lalbagh, Chikka Lalbagh, Yelemallapanakere, Hoskote Lake, Hesaraghatta Lake and other interesting places in and around the city.
Those days, I remember the tall tree-lined stretches of K R Road, J C Road, K G Road, Malleswaram, Chamarajpet, Basavanagudi, Sajjan Rao Circle and Mysore Road.
My friends and I also regularly watched movies at all the theatres located between K G Road, State Bank of Mysore Circle and Majestic.
These places were always abuzz with movie screenings. The art theatres, located on these stretches, had plays being staged almost every other day.
Time has just flown by, lifestyles have changed and people seem to have forgotten to sit together, talk, share and laugh together.
The city too has undergone a transition of sorts.
(The author can be reached on 9164018005)
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