Bangalore in Transition: The 2000s Chronicles

Bangalore in the early 2000s was a city in transition, straddling its genteel past and the rapid changes brought about by the IT boom. The mornings began with a sense of optimism, accompanied by the freshly launched Radio City 91FM. The chirpy voices of Sunaina Lal and Darius on the “Breakfast Show” set the tone for the day as I boarded the Infosys-Pushpak bus at Banashankari. The journey to Electronics City was a snapshot of a city growing faster than its infrastructure could keep up. The ride was smooth until Silk Board, but beyond Bommanahalli, the traffic snarls caused by the construction of the elevated highway became a daily test of patience.

Koramangala, once a quiet suburb, was buzzing with activity. The under-construction Forum Mall stood as a symbol of the city’s evolving lifestyle, drawing curious onlookers. Big Bazaar, a novelty then, became a favorite among old-timers, offering an alternative to the more modest FoodWorld. These changes hinted at the city’s growing cosmopolitan ethos, even as it tried to retain its charm.

Afternoons brought a sense of nostalgia with Radio City’s “Matinee Show with Sheetal,” which played timeless Kishore Kumar melodies. These songs wafted through the air in white-and-blue BMTC buses, blending seamlessly with the hum of the city. Meanwhile, Bangalore’s markets adhered to their unhurried rhythm, closing for lunch and reopening by 5 PM. Majestic, City Market, Shivajinagar, and MG Road remained the nerve centers, brimming with life and commerce.

Eating out was still a luxury for many, and darshanis—quick-service vegetarian eateries—were the go-to spots for a hearty meal. For those with deeper pockets, MG Road, Church Street, and the nascent Koramangala offered posh dining experiences. BMTC had just introduced the circular routes 500 and 600, connecting the city’s outer periphery. Route 500’s circuit from Banashankari to Banashankari was a lifeline for many, though the stretch beyond Silk Board was a stark contrast to the bustling city. The Outer Ring Road (ORR) was largely barren, with the Intel building standing as one of the few markers of civilization amidst vast open fields.

Evenings brought a quieter pace. Areas like Yeshwantpur and Vijayanagar became hubs for those from North Karnataka, while Koramangala and later BTM Layout gained fame among young IT professionals arriving from across the country. Varthur Kodi, with its rustic mud roads, was still a reminder of Bangalore’s village-like roots, a far cry from the urban sprawl it would become.

Technology was just beginning to permeate everyday life. Mobile phones, particularly Nokias, were becoming status symbols, sold in select stores in Gandhi Bazaar, Malleshwaram, and Brigade Road. Cyber cafes were bustling hubs, with young people chatting on Yahoo Messenger or checking emails, a precursor to the digital connectivity we take for granted today.

Venturing further, ITPL was still a work in progress. A visit there required a BMTC ride to KR Puram and a private bus from there. The journey was an adventure, with unlit roads flanked by old steel factories in Mahadevapura and Hoodi lending an eerie vibe. Hope Farm Junction felt like the edge of the known world, its isolation a stark contrast to its future as a bustling tech hub.

Street food was a simple pleasure, with masala puri, dilkush, dilpasand, bread roast, and veg puffs dominating the local palate. These affordable treats anchored Bangalore’s culinary culture, a mix of tradition and accessibility.

Looking back, these memories capture the essence of a city in flux—a Bangalore that balanced its serene, green past with the challenges and promises of modernization. It was a city where the old coexisted with the new, and every corner held a story waiting to be told. Imagining Bangalore in the decades before—the 70s, 80s, and 90s—one can only marvel at the resilience of a city constantly redefining itself yet holding on to its soul.