JOIN USI recently watched ‘Bow Barracks Forever’, a movie that tried to capture the dilemma of the Anglo Indian families living in an old area of Kolkata. There was nothing remarkable about the film but it instantly evoked memories of my early life in Bangalore where I grew up amidst this charmingly colourful people who were fun loving, easy going, musical and a gregarious lot.
Today our city is a mosaic of so many communities that the few Anglo Indians left are hardly visible with many migrating to Australia, New Zealand, Canada, England and elsewhere. But in the 60s and 70s, they were a vibrant lot, contributing to the character of good old Bangalore. Living at the end of Hutchins road bordering Lingarajapuram, which was populated by Anglo Indians, we had them as neighbours, friends, classmates and teachers. So strong was their presence here that this area was nicknamed ‘Little England’ and ‘Texas’. Lingarajapuram was even called ‘Lingafonia’ to sound like California!
They were simple, straight forward and god-fearing people. Right from their colour, names, manners, and language they were different from the rest. Although most of them were just middle class like us, their appearance — fair skin and good looks, gave them a superior status. My first friend and neighbour was this chubby, fair girl, Antonette who walked with me to school, played with me and invited me for her birthday every year until the fourth standard. After that, I had to perforce leave the convent to join a boys school where again my best friend was Dale, a bold brat who took me on his bicycle to school and played pranks.
Later, we had this brother-sister duo of Monty and Sabrina as neighbours whose father worked at Hotel Ashok. Tough and sporty, they were our daily playmates. I vividly remember their mother’s mouth-watering ‘mulagatawny’ soup, ball curry and coconut rice. My first visit to a five-star hotel was to Ashok, thanks to Monty and Saby. Then there was Lassy whose parents hosted parties regularly with sings and bingo to which we teenagers were invited. Scores of others with whom we rubbed shoulders bring to mind some glorious moments of the past.
Last but not the least, how can one forget those dedicated teachers who impressed us with their felicity over the English language — Ms Meyers, Mrs Rodricks, Mr & Mrs Ince, Ms Cobbles, Bruce and Mark Suares — all unique in their own ways, leaving indelible impressions. Indeed, it is sad that most of them have migrated to greener pastures and while their exodus leaves us a little poorer, those fond remembrances do enrich us.