While we gear up with ample wonder and go about exploring other cities and towns, our own city is never on the mind! With new hubs to hang out and most of my time spent travelling outside Bangalore, I often give the iconic MG road area a miss. So glad I made an effort to see the newly refurbished Bangalore Boulevard!

 Many went up in arms when the Plaza crumbled to the floor, the tree lined pathway and steps on the other side of the shops became rubble and the Jamal’s complex vanished. While demolishing of longstanding establishments may tug at your heart, but this is inevitable for a prospering city! Change begets change – we like some, we hate some! And here’s one we are going to love. The Metro authorities soothed high-strung nerves and promised that the area below the metro would be restored. Not only have they given it a complete re-haul, a refreshing one that too! Matches international public spaces – something that you will be proud of!

The Rangoli Metro Art Centre now has a double tiered walkway and well thought- through art corners, galleries (Visamaya, Belaku & Chaya), children’s play area (Chilipili), tablets that take you through the history of the city, even a friendship band tying area.  All this, managed by an official curator, Surekha and her team of artists and designers. 

The half a km long boulevard is educative, fun and gives a chance to many to showcase their work of art; more than 200 pictures made by children, plastered on the wall, how these kids see the cultural scape of the city in their own neighborhoods. Talk about bringing back the nightlife of Bangalore. An intimate amphitheater is planned to host shows later in the night when the traffic is low. Musical performances, poetry readings are in store. What I loved most here are the self-irrigated planters, with watering apparatus made up of old bottles and syringes and the distinctive Ugly Indiandustbins.

All is well in Bangalore – the M.G Road bougainvilleas are back to droop over the walkway again, the weather seems to feel a lot familiar too! Go take a walk in the mild 4 o’clock drizzle.

Next: Trying to climb the Utility Building!