The young at heart

Club culture

When it comes to having fun, these seniors show how it is to be done. ‘Ageless Avenue’ is a club for people who may be getting on in years but still have a youthful outlook.

“I started the club when I came from Chennai to Bengaluru,” says Srikala Thampy, the founder. “Born and brought up in Chennai, all my friends and family were there. So when I came to this city, I found myself lonely because even though Bengaluru is a much more happening place, you need the right crowd to enjoy it. My daughters would take me out with their friends but I wanted people from my age group.”

Thus was born ‘Ageless Avenue’ — a place where members get together engage in activities like cookouts, luncheons, dinners, movies, mall hopping, picnics and drives.

“Whoever is interested in that particular activity can join in. There is no compulsion that everyone has to take part in everything,” explains Srikala.

It is this flexibility that Ajith V enjoys. The DRDO scientist has been a part of the group for four months now. “There is a meetup once ever fortnight. It is usually on weekends and though those are the days when one usually has other engagements, I do try to catch with them for a coffee or lunch occasionally.”

It is the diversity within the club that attracts Ajith. “I get to meet people from different backgrounds and different cultures and hear their thoughts. It is fascinating,” he says.

Jayapradha agrees. The entrepreneur says, “There is so much to learn from every person. Sharing your thoughts and problems gives you mental relief and also makes you realise what the others are going through.”

She is particularly fond of the house parties that members host. “Though usually we all go out, sometimes people organise get-togethers in their house. It is a lot of fun. We all go there and cook. Since there are so many of us, the varieties of dishes are many, each one tastier than the next. There is a lot of laughter, talking and some games also.”

‘Platonic’ is a word that many use to describe the group. “It is not a dating site. I am very strict about what the group should be like. Nor is it a place for business deals,” says Srikala.

For Venugopal, the group made him realise that age is just a number.

The former real estate owner who now runs a hotel business says, “It is good company. When you get together in a big group and talk, it is always a good experience. One of my favourite outings with the group was the one to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s ashram in Kanakpura Road. We walked around the sprawling area, met different people, talked and generally had a great time.”

“The group encourages us to be ourselves once in a while and in a busy life with personal and professional commitments, such a break is a absolute necessity,” says Neha Gupta, an IT professional. “There is always so much to talk about that at the end of every meetup, we marvel at how the time has flown.”

(The group can be contacted at 7022216676)