Thursday, January 31, 2008

Tricks of the trade…

In the lean times of the market trade, this young one is gathering information on the tricks of the trade from his 'guru', the senior . Working towards qualifying himself to be able to work for the engineering goods shop takes him to the task of gathering answers for many questions in his mind…

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

One for the road…

While roads get more and more vehicles, the new aspirants get the drive to drive them too. Lot of small time driving school players have emerged in the city with one car and few students. Weekend morning’s witness these driving sessions on less crowded roads…

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Technology @ HAL Market..

Technology is seeping through into the administration departments as more and more technical gadgets are seen put to use in day to day administration work. A tax collector moves around HAL market to collect taxes from vendors selling vegetables in the market. The device used helps retrieve tax dues and prints instant receipts storing the data that can then be uploaded onto the central databases once back in office….

Monday, January 28, 2008

The Tempo Stand..

City market area happens to be the wholesale market for lot of goodies; the private tempo (Light commercial vehicles) services are offered to move the goods from market to destination sites. Many prefer to ‘own’ these tempos and are usually driven by themselves to make a living. Few tempo drivers/owners are seen chit-chatting while they wait for the customers…

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Banana Meals..

When there are financial challenges for daily wage earners, the most preferred economical option for meal is a banana. Sold at a rupee each this becomes a healthy option for few as a lunch substitute. Others prefer having it after their meals too. Market area sees many such road side banana sellers in the noon with their fully loaded backets ….

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Nimbu Panni…

A quick thirst quencher, affordable and mostly preferred ‘Nimbi Paani’ (lime water / lemonade) sold on the street cart in S P Road Majestic. It is an uncarbonated mixture of lime juice, sugar and water which may or may not contain common or rock salt. (limbu paani is made with limes, not lemons)

Friday, January 25, 2008

The Palm Sunset …

Weather is nice and comfortable, the clear sky showcases this beautiful sunset. Thankfully this city still has lots of places with peace and solitude to offer, and fellow citizens enjoy it everyday…

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Ragi mudde meal..

While this meal was on our wish list for long, this is served in very few hotels ( we tried it in Kamat’s Yatri Niwas in Majestic area) but found on all the roadside food carts.
This is a food item unique to the state of Karnataka. It is mainly popular with the rural folk of Karnataka. It is made of ragi (finger millet) flour by pouring the flour (with some amount of salt) into boiling water and mixing the two together to make soft dough. The dough is then made into tennis-ball sized balls (which are termed as Ragi mudde) and served hot. Ragi mudde is usually eaten with ghee and sambar.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Political print…

As the elections are nearing in the state, political events gather the pace. Party flags and banners are displayed all around the nearby neighborhood roads, while some rally being organized in the city. This change in the facets of the roads with huge flags, running banners and pamphlets, most of which perhaps will be duly forgotten to be removed after the event…

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Empty Roads..

As the Private transporters indefinate strike continues for the second day, the roads look deserted. Public transport & private vehicle drivers got their paradise back while driving on these almost empty roads. On the other hand, several employees, especially in the IT and BPO sectors, had been affected by the stir and have opted to work from home. This busy marathalli junction looks deserted at the peak morning hour…

Monday, January 21, 2008

Melon mania…

Winter afternoons sometimes get bit hotter, temp chases the 28-29 deg c marks. This brings an opportunity for watermelon lovers to grab some on the carts. Here are few enjoying them at a quiet corner of a busy market road…

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Snack it out!

Munching and snacking with the family is what most of the Bangaloreans do whenever they can, if single one prefers eating out with friends. As the demand soars the numbers of eateries keep adding with newer varieties to woo the ‘taste buddies’. The menu from one of the fast food south Indian eatery says it all..

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Poster-lane!

Crowded Majestic area leverages almost all plain surfaces with movie posters, this lane leading to national market has a huge wall full of posters from latest blockbusters to slow matinee movies, gives a glimpse of sandalwood ( southern movies known likes of Hollywood, bollywood style) for sure…

Friday, January 18, 2008

Busy Busy…

People, buses, autos, bikes, cars the majestic area truly sends the busy busy vibes and is a true showcase for the city on the move. Even on a Sankranti holiday the action remains as busy as it could be, people visiting to shop around and watch some movies. The area is known for it's crowd pulling movie theatres too...

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Auto travel & adjusments…

Commuting in auto is exciting, specially when you have some luggage to carry along, the acrobatics people get into while adjusting themselves with it catches attention for sure….

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Yellu-Bella & Sugarcanes…

Celebrating maker Sankranti with offering fresh sugarcane to sun god, The day on which the sun begins its journey northwards is referred to as Makara Sankranti. Sankramana means "to commence movement" and hence the name Makara Sankranti given to one of the largest, most auspicious, but varied festivals in the Indian subcontinent.
Markets see fresh sugarcane being sold to help devotees make an offering. In Karnataka it is called 'Yellu-Bella'. Yellu means 'til' or Sesame seeds and 'Bella' is Jaggery. A mixture of sesame seeds, jaggery, coconut and groundnuts are distributed to relatives and friends to help forget their quarrels and resolve to speak sweetly to one another.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Frozen delights…

Despite winter, the frozen dreams and delicacies have ample fan club, the display of a newly opened ice cream bar in Koramangala continues to attract the crowd….

Monday, January 14, 2008

Hide n Seek…

The winter spell over the city can be felt in the morning, a dense fog that helps people & vehicles play hide n seek on the roads and landmarks seem to disappear. The visibility dropped to barely few meters starts to regain as the day unfolds itself from morning to noon….

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Daily Market visits…

Many elders prefer a small walk to the nearby market every day to help them walk around as well as pick up daily needs for the kitchen, any which way a beneficial outing!!

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Staying Connected!!

Who would have imagined 25 yrs ago that phone connections will be sold across counters, the average waiting period to get the phone connection was in years. The swanky stores are now seen mushrooming across all markets, they have changed the scenario completely, here is the one of the ‘all brand’ handset store pulling the crowd...

Friday, January 11, 2008

Last but one…

Winter has taken over. Signals are being passed from one tree to another, the last flower from Tabebuia tree awaits his turn!! Bare trees wait in anticipation of the new episode that would be called 'next season'.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Fresh carrots in a bamboo basket…

While strolling through the market I spotted these fresh carrots kept in a bamboo basket, not sure if they are produced in local farms but looked tempting.
The bamboo baskets are used widely to store and transport veggies and even used while they are sold off the shelves or on the cart.

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

Childhood & Candy floss Dreams…

Going by my earlier post on balloons, this one also tops my childhood ‘wish’. Even now I get pulled to enjoy it with my son while we stroll CMH road in the evening. This item was always been on my wish list while in school and feels bit nostalgic whenever I cross by any candy floss seller …

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Childhood colors...

I am sure while in my childhood I got introduced to colors via some balloons, on a busy CMH road weekend crowd lures this balloon seller too!!

Monday, January 07, 2008

Lalbagh relaxation…

Got an opportunity to spend almost full day in lalbagh y’day with friends and family, it was sunny but cold and the like any other weekend it was crowded yet everyone had some space of their own. What a great time to spend on the lawn under the trees, the biggest garden in the city helps many unwind and relax…

Sunday, January 06, 2008

Busy hands at busy wheels…

Local bicycle shop is busy fixing customer needs, there are still substantial number of bicycles on roads and their count keeps competing that with two wheelers thus the demand for service and repairs is adequate to keep the shop running….

Saturday, January 05, 2008

Munch Munch…

When it comes to munching on the road, the boiled moongphallies (groundnuts) top my list. Fresh groundnuts are procured from wholesale market and are boiled on the cart to be sold nearby busy areas such as markets, schools, bus-stops etc. I am sure this seller will sell his entire lot in a day or two and make some decent profit….

Friday, January 04, 2008

Futuristic abode..

Knowing one’s future and related fortune must have haunted mankind since ages, this city is not an exception where many astrologers practice it with their believers, almost all nook and corners in the city have some or other bill board catching the prospects….

Thursday, January 03, 2008

Lives that Lit...

Quite a few local artisans in and around the city get to exhibit their work in art galleries, there are thousands who still do not get noticed and work their living by creating many artifacts for others.
Here is a beautiful painting by some unknown artist on the bamboo kept for sale as a wall hanging in a shop nearing a tourist spot…

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Love (the) birds...

Bangaloreans love pets; they believe their presence compliments the lifestyle and living. In our neighborhood have seen few parakeets/love birds maintained in a huge cage just on the street and is a pleasure visiting them …

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

The beginning…

First morning of 2008, this little one with her relentless effort starts her day on the forest fire tree, perhaps for her this is just another great sunny day …