The high streets in India have always fascinated me. They are filled with life, colour and are representative of the changing culture of the city. Every person who walks the street as a notion of being cosmopolitan. There is a sense of being sophisticated and up to date, yet there exists distinctness between its ‘regular inhabitants’ and the ‘ visitors’ who cross each other’s paths everyday.
As a child, visiting the high street (in my case M.G Road, Brigade Road and Commercial Street- I have been a Bangalorean all my life!) was an occasion by itself. Each visit had a purpose. It was either to buy my birthday dress or clothes for a festival. The sense of walking down these streets flushed with hoarding, banners and a whole lot of lighting made me feel special. It was a great achievement to buy clothes from the best shops in town, so I thought. There was an urge and childish excitement to wear the latest trends in the city, to brag amongst friends.
The advent of the mall culture, multiplexes spread across the town and the growing suburbs of the city, has led to the high streets becoming “just another destination” over the years. Yet these narrow streets continue to hold its vintage charm where little shops tucked between some huge stores continue to serve every man’s need.
The street vendors selling fancy goods, belts, wallets, export rejected clothes and a whole lot of “Pick any Rs. 50/100” add variety to the dingy footpaths as the “fast world” struggle’s to make their way to the respective destination. Beside’s a glittering showroom of Louis Philippe, you would often find a vendor selling “Local Louis Philippe” for Rs 150, such are the ways of life in India – everything has a commendable substitute!
The “regular inhabitants” (the beggars), who have made it their home, place themselves at regular intervals, in order to earn a “sympathised living”. An admirable lot of disabled who sell petty items such as handkerchief’s and safety pins eke out some high street space hoping for survival.
The “fast moving” visitors, who have come to enjoy the city in its true spirit, carry with them a sense of urgency (more often of getting nowhere) as they thread past the narrow sidewalks. Foreigners, couples, outstation guests, college goers (having bunked classes) and old timers cross each other’s paths without a tinge of concern as the beggars keep poking at them, hoping to earn a “quick rupee”, being flung at them as a portrayal of sympathy.
A variety of posh cars make their presence felt in the parking lot, showcasing the latest offerings and status symbol in the market. As the vehicle stalls to a halt, little children in tattered clothes capitalise on the opportunity by offering an unsolicited cleaning of the windowpanes. Every situation creates a business opportunity!
The true spirit of India, it’s elegance and diversity comes to the forefront as you make your way through the high street. While people of varying lifestyle, culture and attitude cross each other’s paths, they have little in common except for an urge to be one amongst the growing crowd on the high street.
My cell phone buzzes, it’s a message from a friend that reads “ Lets meet at CCD (Café Coffee Day), Brigade Road-5 p.m”.
“ Yes!” goes a reply in the affirmative.
It’s my date to witness the changing dimension of my colouring city, a date to be amongst the growing crowd!
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