Sunday, October 29, 2017

An ode to namma Bengaluru

To the soft tenderness of your thatte idlis
and the brittle crunchiness of your nippatus,
gullible taste buds have given in.

To the drowsy laziness of your cold mornings
and the lengthy ant-lines of your traffic snarls,
ordinary eye lids have drooped.

In the breathtaking sunsets between your old school bungalows
and the abrupt outpourings of your tears,
tired spirits have found joy.

In the crawling elegance of your ageing bus fleet
and the measured movements of your pournamikas,
Time itself seems to pause and reflect.

In the haphazard gullies of your unplanned localities
and the overwhelming stench of your garbage trucks
many mortals have lost their bearings.

In the vast chaos of your technology parks
and the knotty tangles of your mushrooming hostels,
strangers have found love and life.

In the messy busyness of your bazaars and metros
and the lofty ambitions of your startups and entrepreneurs,
the gregarious and talented have found purpose.

In the sprawling varieties of your breweries
and the teeming crowds of your marathons,
young and old alike are drunk with high spirits. 

Bengaluru, to your beautiful soul and welcoming warmth,
many salutes and humble obeisance.