Nobody disses on Bangalore ...
I think I've been harboring some unvocalized bitterness towards people that have recently moved to Bangalore from all over the country and the world and claim that it is "home" to them after a few short months. Whats worse, is they soon take their ability to call it home to mean that they have some right to criticize the traditions and institutions that they have no business meddling in.
[Note: this is not the most rational post that I've ever written, but I'm not happy - nobody disses my hometown without me having something to say about it]
Don't get me wrong - there's alot wrong with the city. While much of it is a product of corrupt government - alot has to do with the infiltration of people that have no appreciation for the garden city. In fact, I seriously think that this influx of non-Bangaloreans is another type of colonialism - and just like the British Empire left its former colonies to dig themselves out of the mess, these colonialists will leave when the boom is gone, and never look back to see what they destroyed.
Why am I so mad? What sparked it off?
Well, I periodically read "Bangalore Blogger" and am usually appreciative of the insight of an outsider (i.e. one who did NOT grow up in the city, and has NO idea what an amazing place it was before the infection of globalization - note bitterness). However, it bothers me that BB (and a metroblogger) chose to criticize two Bangalore traditions that are close to my heart. Koshy's and MTR. Both Bangalore institutions, the little bit colonial of history that I appreciate. Actually, no - while I maintain that colonialism oppressed culture and freedom (amongst other things) I do think that some colonial influence on Bangalore was soothing and enhanced the city - so no, these institutions are not the only bit of positive colonialism, but just one aspect.
BB's criticism of Koshy's, while I'm sure its true that the service may be bad, the waiters may be rude, is definitely misplaced. Koshy's, to introduce it to those who are not familiar, is a centrally located restaurant, that has traditionally catered to the artsy folk of Bangalore. It is best known for its Sunday breakfast, and its other clientele - the who's who of Bangalore theatre. Yes, it is a bit pretentious. It was never meant to be for people like me, or the non-Bangaloreans that don't understand its appeal. It's meant for those that know how to appreciate the steaming appams and stew on a chilly winter Sunday, or the strong Mysore coffee on a quiet afternoon. It was never meant to host "Blog-meets" or whatever they're called. It was not meant for mass groups of people, but more for quiet, introspective meetings. So my answer to BB is - if you don't understand why you frequent Koshy's its probably because you're not who its catering to, and if you don't understand the tradition, or appreciate the appeal - don't go. Criticize the food ALL you want, but don't question what you don't understand.
Next, an establishment that is more my cup of tea - MTR, Mavalli Tiffin Rooms, a Bangalore institution since 1924. MB says that MTR is the most overrated restaurant in Bangalore, some select quotes:
"It took us 2 hours to have a simple breakfast (idli, masal dosa, coffee.)"
"The masal dosas were dripping grease..oil or ghee or butter, I don't know ... the sambar could have done duty as a sweet dish.There was the usual lack of choice on the menu..and even in that limited choice some of the items had run out! ... The redeeming feature was that the coffee was real filter coffee and arrived in those trademark silver dentedy tumblers."
MB proceeds to compare Koshy's and MTR to Rangashankara (a specialty theatre that opened a few years ago). Oh, here we go.
First of all, one does not go to MTR for a simple breakfast. One goes to MTR for the experience of going to MTR, and to savor the greasy dosas. Second, don't go to MTR if you're not interested in greasy dosas, thats MTR style. Third, typical MTR sambar, or in fact south indian sambar is sweet; I'll concede that it may have been too sweet. As for the "lack of choice" on the menu - MTR is known for Dosa, Idli, Vada and South Indian coffee - apart from that, why would you go there!? And finally, I'm thrilled that the South Indian coffee in those "trademark silver dentedy tumblers" was to your satisfaction. If it wasn't then ... well lets not go there.
And really - comparing establishments founded in the early 1900's to Rangashankara, which is a cool concept theatre, is seriously uncompelling.
Here's the point to this rant and rave - Bangalore is a city of traditions, traditions that I grew up in and basked in, and I'm not the only one. Anyone who is really from Bangalore knows these traditions well, and appreciates them for what they stand for - and cater to them for those reasons, not for any sort of hype. In fact, we'd prefer it if the tourists and non-Bangaloreans didn't go there unless of course you accept it for what it is. This isn't some sacred tradition by any means, but its the little things about home that we hold on to - and that needs to be respected.
All in all, I'll take my quiet coffees at Koshy's, my two hour wait at MTR only to be fulfilled with fabulous classic South Indian food, quintessential Banglore evenings and all the hype that goes along with it, but I'll pass on the side order of globalization, thank you very much.
[Note: this is not the most rational post that I've ever written, but I'm not happy - nobody disses my hometown without me having something to say about it]
Don't get me wrong - there's alot wrong with the city. While much of it is a product of corrupt government - alot has to do with the infiltration of people that have no appreciation for the garden city. In fact, I seriously think that this influx of non-Bangaloreans is another type of colonialism - and just like the British Empire left its former colonies to dig themselves out of the mess, these colonialists will leave when the boom is gone, and never look back to see what they destroyed.
Why am I so mad? What sparked it off?
Well, I periodically read "Bangalore Blogger" and am usually appreciative of the insight of an outsider (i.e. one who did NOT grow up in the city, and has NO idea what an amazing place it was before the infection of globalization - note bitterness). However, it bothers me that BB (and a metroblogger) chose to criticize two Bangalore traditions that are close to my heart. Koshy's and MTR. Both Bangalore institutions, the little bit colonial of history that I appreciate. Actually, no - while I maintain that colonialism oppressed culture and freedom (amongst other things) I do think that some colonial influence on Bangalore was soothing and enhanced the city - so no, these institutions are not the only bit of positive colonialism, but just one aspect.
BB's criticism of Koshy's, while I'm sure its true that the service may be bad, the waiters may be rude, is definitely misplaced. Koshy's, to introduce it to those who are not familiar, is a centrally located restaurant, that has traditionally catered to the artsy folk of Bangalore. It is best known for its Sunday breakfast, and its other clientele - the who's who of Bangalore theatre. Yes, it is a bit pretentious. It was never meant to be for people like me, or the non-Bangaloreans that don't understand its appeal. It's meant for those that know how to appreciate the steaming appams and stew on a chilly winter Sunday, or the strong Mysore coffee on a quiet afternoon. It was never meant to host "Blog-meets" or whatever they're called. It was not meant for mass groups of people, but more for quiet, introspective meetings. So my answer to BB is - if you don't understand why you frequent Koshy's its probably because you're not who its catering to, and if you don't understand the tradition, or appreciate the appeal - don't go. Criticize the food ALL you want, but don't question what you don't understand.
Next, an establishment that is more my cup of tea - MTR, Mavalli Tiffin Rooms, a Bangalore institution since 1924. MB says that MTR is the most overrated restaurant in Bangalore, some select quotes:
"It took us 2 hours to have a simple breakfast (idli, masal dosa, coffee.)"
"The masal dosas were dripping grease..oil or ghee or butter, I don't know ... the sambar could have done duty as a sweet dish.There was the usual lack of choice on the menu..and even in that limited choice some of the items had run out! ... The redeeming feature was that the coffee was real filter coffee and arrived in those trademark silver dentedy tumblers."
MB proceeds to compare Koshy's and MTR to Rangashankara (a specialty theatre that opened a few years ago). Oh, here we go.
First of all, one does not go to MTR for a simple breakfast. One goes to MTR for the experience of going to MTR, and to savor the greasy dosas. Second, don't go to MTR if you're not interested in greasy dosas, thats MTR style. Third, typical MTR sambar, or in fact south indian sambar is sweet; I'll concede that it may have been too sweet. As for the "lack of choice" on the menu - MTR is known for Dosa, Idli, Vada and South Indian coffee - apart from that, why would you go there!? And finally, I'm thrilled that the South Indian coffee in those "trademark silver dentedy tumblers" was to your satisfaction. If it wasn't then ... well lets not go there.
And really - comparing establishments founded in the early 1900's to Rangashankara, which is a cool concept theatre, is seriously uncompelling.
Here's the point to this rant and rave - Bangalore is a city of traditions, traditions that I grew up in and basked in, and I'm not the only one. Anyone who is really from Bangalore knows these traditions well, and appreciates them for what they stand for - and cater to them for those reasons, not for any sort of hype. In fact, we'd prefer it if the tourists and non-Bangaloreans didn't go there unless of course you accept it for what it is. This isn't some sacred tradition by any means, but its the little things about home that we hold on to - and that needs to be respected.
All in all, I'll take my quiet coffees at Koshy's, my two hour wait at MTR only to be fulfilled with fabulous classic South Indian food, quintessential Banglore evenings and all the hype that goes along with it, but I'll pass on the side order of globalization, thank you very much.
posted by zai5h at Sunday, February 25, 2007
1 Comments:
well said!
call us pretentious..call us snoots, but nothing gives you the right to criticise these establishments unless you've lived it!! take you IT money to the coffee days and pizza huts, i'm sure you can draw your safe well earned criticisms there! blaaah...
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