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Askew: A Short Biography of Bangalore
When the fabled founder of Bangalore, Kempe Gowda, set out to build his dream city in the early sixteenth century, his mother gave him two instructions: keregalam kattu, marangalam nedu. Build lakes, plant trees. Gowda built a hundred lakes and lined the wide avenues of the city with leafy trees.After India gained independence, Bangalore became known as a pensioners’ paradise. In the early 1980s, the city reinvented itself once again, this time as the home of some of the world’s most outstanding entrepreneurs. Very rapidly, aided by the dozens of engineering schools that had sprouted in the city since Independence, Bangalore became the hub of India’s information technology (IT) revolution. In the twenty-first century, the city is trying to cope with the problems that have accompanied its explosive growth and enormous success— crumbling infrastructure, traffic jams, soaring real estate prices, corruption and chaos. Despite the challenges it faces, Bangalore continues to be one of the world’s most distinctive and interesting cities. T. J. S. George walks us through both ‘old’ and ‘new’ Bangalore—from gleaming skyscrapers and lively dance studios to colonial-era bungalows marked by quaint little name-stones, from legendary eating places like Koshy’s and Mavalli Tiffin Room (MTR) to shining new eateries that serve craft beer.
128 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2016
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February 9, 2017
Bangalore (properly, now Bengaluru) has been my home for the past 3+ years, and I can tell you that it’s a strange and unique city. It has a population of about 10 million, but the surprising part is not the population but rather that half of those millions came over 10 to 12 years. On one hand, this makes Bangalore a chaotic place. I live in the area near the centers of both the Karnataka and the city government, but it can’t be called a city center in the sense that most cities have a central business district. I suspect that residents of Indiranagar, Kormangala, Jayanagar, and many other neighborhoods feel they have as much claim to call themselves the city center as does my neighborhood.
On the other hand, the reason that there has been such an influx is because this is India’s Silicon Valley and that means that Bangalore is (or at least seems) more affluent, well educated, and cosmopolitan than much of India. I’ve often termed it “India Light” in that all the problems that one associates with India (soul-crushing poverty, rampant disease, etc.) are of a lesser scale in Bangalore. People often ask me whether I get sick a lot living in India, and I can honestly say that Bangalore has never given me a case of intestinal distress more substantial than I got from any given trip to Taco Bell in America, and I’ve delighted in the street food of VVpuram on several occasions. [Whereas a two-day trip to New Delhi nearly killed me.] And, of course, Bangalorean weather is perfect year-round (if you’re saying, “No, it’s not!” that means you’re a Bangalorean who has never spent an extended time period anywhere else in the world--excepting maybe San Diego or parts of the Mediterranean.)
That explanation of my Bangalorean credentials aside, even living in the city for several years, one can feel like a stranger to it. An ex-pat’s insight is much more in-depth than a tourist’s, but remains much less than a local’s. That’s one of the reasons I found this book intriguing. There are a number of books on Bangalore that present sunny travelogues of the city, but not so many that investigate the grittier underside of life. If anything, George inflates the ugly side of the city. He devotes a lot of space to topics like racial violence and gangsters. It’s nothing personal. His theory, suggested by the Introduction, is that any city that grows too big has the wheels roll off in one way or the other—though he also suggests other cities have proven better at fixing the problems of [over-]growth. Still, the author occasionally he comes across as curmudgeonly, with a “back in my day everything was sunshine and roses” kind of attitude.
As the subtitle suggests, this is a short book—less than 100 pages divided among five chapters. The organization of the chapters is not chronological but thematic. The first chapter explores Bangalore from the perspective of the influx of newcomers and the pull and push factors that bring them. This includes both the educated middle-class who’ve come to advance professional careers as well as the less fortunate immigrants who’ve sometimes found themselves victimized as outsiders. (You may wonder how I—as a foreigner—could remain unaware of the extent of racial and xenophobic violence in this city. To understand this one has to understand the long-shadow of biases rooted in colonialism and caste hierarchy. You may get a clue by looking into the reaction to Nina Davuluri winning the Miss America title in 2013. While most Indians, I suspect, were proud of her by way of connection to ethnic heritage [she’s American by birth—much to the confusion of the American nimrods commenting on her victory], it spawned a whole debate about whether she could have one Miss India if she were an Indian citizen given her darkish skin tone. Of course, those Indian dimwits don’t even hold a candle to the American dimwits who ranted against her victory.)
Chapter 2 investigates the role of defective governance in Bangalore’s plight. In many ways this is the heart of the argument that Bangalore is uniquely dysfunctional. Corruption in the presence of huge wealth has created ideal conditions for myopic and self-serving activities that often bite the citizenry square in the backside.
Chapter 3 focuses largely on the culinary history of the city, which means a lot of discussion of MTR, CTR, Koshy’s, and some of the longstanding hotel [restaurants] as well as the individuals behind these institutions.
Chapter 4 contrasts the life of two of the privileged heirs of Bangalore. The two men in question are Siddhartha Mallya and Rohan Murty. The former is of the family of the United Brewing and the later of Infosys. Mallya is the presented as the outsider who could never make roots in Bangalore or the family business and Murty is the insider whose roots are grown into Bangalore and who managed to make a place for himself despite a pact by the Infosys founders that they wouldn’t become a nepotistic venture.
The last chapter is about the intellectual and artistic dimensions of Bangalore, including discussion of bookstores and theaters of note.
As I mentioned, this book doesn’t give one a complete picture of Bangalore. Pardon for appropriating the title to my own purposes, but if this is one’s only introduction to Bangalore then one’s view will be askew. However, when read in conjunction with other sources of information, “Askew” can offer balance as well as nuanced insight into specific issues that might not be covered elsewhere (e.g. food and bookstores.)
There is a conservative-old-man-of-India viewpoint that skews the book’s discussion that will make it seem quite right to that same demographic but off-kilter to others. One example of this is that there seems to be a suggestion that alcohol is a major source of Bangalore’s problem. However, one sees all manner of vice in cities that are both better governed and less dysfunctional as cities—e.g. Amsterdam and Bangkok. For that matter, alcohol is a more prominent fixture in pretty much every European city than it is in Bangalore. So I had trouble buying that viewpoint, which also seems to inform the vilification of the Mallya family (as opposed to the much vaunted Murty family.) Another example is that while an entire chapter is devoted to comparing those two sons, the daughters barely merit a line or two.
All and all, I’d recommend the book as a balance point to other sources of information.
On the other hand, the reason that there has been such an influx is because this is India’s Silicon Valley and that means that Bangalore is (or at least seems) more affluent, well educated, and cosmopolitan than much of India. I’ve often termed it “India Light” in that all the problems that one associates with India (soul-crushing poverty, rampant disease, etc.) are of a lesser scale in Bangalore. People often ask me whether I get sick a lot living in India, and I can honestly say that Bangalore has never given me a case of intestinal distress more substantial than I got from any given trip to Taco Bell in America, and I’ve delighted in the street food of VVpuram on several occasions. [Whereas a two-day trip to New Delhi nearly killed me.] And, of course, Bangalorean weather is perfect year-round (if you’re saying, “No, it’s not!” that means you’re a Bangalorean who has never spent an extended time period anywhere else in the world--excepting maybe San Diego or parts of the Mediterranean.)
That explanation of my Bangalorean credentials aside, even living in the city for several years, one can feel like a stranger to it. An ex-pat’s insight is much more in-depth than a tourist’s, but remains much less than a local’s. That’s one of the reasons I found this book intriguing. There are a number of books on Bangalore that present sunny travelogues of the city, but not so many that investigate the grittier underside of life. If anything, George inflates the ugly side of the city. He devotes a lot of space to topics like racial violence and gangsters. It’s nothing personal. His theory, suggested by the Introduction, is that any city that grows too big has the wheels roll off in one way or the other—though he also suggests other cities have proven better at fixing the problems of [over-]growth. Still, the author occasionally he comes across as curmudgeonly, with a “back in my day everything was sunshine and roses” kind of attitude.
As the subtitle suggests, this is a short book—less than 100 pages divided among five chapters. The organization of the chapters is not chronological but thematic. The first chapter explores Bangalore from the perspective of the influx of newcomers and the pull and push factors that bring them. This includes both the educated middle-class who’ve come to advance professional careers as well as the less fortunate immigrants who’ve sometimes found themselves victimized as outsiders. (You may wonder how I—as a foreigner—could remain unaware of the extent of racial and xenophobic violence in this city. To understand this one has to understand the long-shadow of biases rooted in colonialism and caste hierarchy. You may get a clue by looking into the reaction to Nina Davuluri winning the Miss America title in 2013. While most Indians, I suspect, were proud of her by way of connection to ethnic heritage [she’s American by birth—much to the confusion of the American nimrods commenting on her victory], it spawned a whole debate about whether she could have one Miss India if she were an Indian citizen given her darkish skin tone. Of course, those Indian dimwits don’t even hold a candle to the American dimwits who ranted against her victory.)
Chapter 2 investigates the role of defective governance in Bangalore’s plight. In many ways this is the heart of the argument that Bangalore is uniquely dysfunctional. Corruption in the presence of huge wealth has created ideal conditions for myopic and self-serving activities that often bite the citizenry square in the backside.
Chapter 3 focuses largely on the culinary history of the city, which means a lot of discussion of MTR, CTR, Koshy’s, and some of the longstanding hotel [restaurants] as well as the individuals behind these institutions.
Chapter 4 contrasts the life of two of the privileged heirs of Bangalore. The two men in question are Siddhartha Mallya and Rohan Murty. The former is of the family of the United Brewing and the later of Infosys. Mallya is the presented as the outsider who could never make roots in Bangalore or the family business and Murty is the insider whose roots are grown into Bangalore and who managed to make a place for himself despite a pact by the Infosys founders that they wouldn’t become a nepotistic venture.
The last chapter is about the intellectual and artistic dimensions of Bangalore, including discussion of bookstores and theaters of note.
As I mentioned, this book doesn’t give one a complete picture of Bangalore. Pardon for appropriating the title to my own purposes, but if this is one’s only introduction to Bangalore then one’s view will be askew. However, when read in conjunction with other sources of information, “Askew” can offer balance as well as nuanced insight into specific issues that might not be covered elsewhere (e.g. food and bookstores.)
There is a conservative-old-man-of-India viewpoint that skews the book’s discussion that will make it seem quite right to that same demographic but off-kilter to others. One example of this is that there seems to be a suggestion that alcohol is a major source of Bangalore’s problem. However, one sees all manner of vice in cities that are both better governed and less dysfunctional as cities—e.g. Amsterdam and Bangkok. For that matter, alcohol is a more prominent fixture in pretty much every European city than it is in Bangalore. So I had trouble buying that viewpoint, which also seems to inform the vilification of the Mallya family (as opposed to the much vaunted Murty family.) Another example is that while an entire chapter is devoted to comparing those two sons, the daughters barely merit a line or two.
All and all, I’d recommend the book as a balance point to other sources of information.
April 13, 2024
"Keregalam kattu, marangalam nedu" (Build lakes, plant trees.)
These were the instructions given to Kempe Gowda by his mother in 16th century, when the founder of Bangalore was set to build the city.
Divided in five chapters, this book is a breeze to indulge in the nostalgia of everything Bengaluru.
Knowledge wise, it won't impart anything new - with each chapter reading like a tabloid editorial.
What I loved:
1. The parts on food and bookstores. MTR, CTR, Koshy's, Brahmin Idlis, Udupi chains, By 2 coffee… to Select Bookshop, Blossoms, among others.
2. The evolution of darshinis, the man behind the revolutionary idea - Prabhakar and his down to earth life.
3. The legendary Shankar Nag. His unfortunate early demise, the idea of Ranga Shankara by his wife Arundhati Nag. From its inception to current day ideology promoting mosaic theatre.
4. Reading about my favorite areas of the city - Jayanagar, Banashankari, Malleshwaram to name a few.
What I didn't like:
1. Its unfair to call this book a biography of Bangalore.
2. The importance laid to Mallyas and Murtys. It was a good case study, albeit "Askew" from the overall theme of the book.
Overall:
In the wake of the current events, it's an eye opener on the looming doom over Bangalore. Much of it was predicted, it’s the greed and corruption that got the better of the thinking minds.
Its that appetizer on Bangalore that will leave you craving for deeper content.
"Dawn never comes to the late riser!"
These were the instructions given to Kempe Gowda by his mother in 16th century, when the founder of Bangalore was set to build the city.
Divided in five chapters, this book is a breeze to indulge in the nostalgia of everything Bengaluru.
Knowledge wise, it won't impart anything new - with each chapter reading like a tabloid editorial.
What I loved:
1. The parts on food and bookstores. MTR, CTR, Koshy's, Brahmin Idlis, Udupi chains, By 2 coffee… to Select Bookshop, Blossoms, among others.
2. The evolution of darshinis, the man behind the revolutionary idea - Prabhakar and his down to earth life.
3. The legendary Shankar Nag. His unfortunate early demise, the idea of Ranga Shankara by his wife Arundhati Nag. From its inception to current day ideology promoting mosaic theatre.
4. Reading about my favorite areas of the city - Jayanagar, Banashankari, Malleshwaram to name a few.
What I didn't like:
1. Its unfair to call this book a biography of Bangalore.
2. The importance laid to Mallyas and Murtys. It was a good case study, albeit "Askew" from the overall theme of the book.
Overall:
In the wake of the current events, it's an eye opener on the looming doom over Bangalore. Much of it was predicted, it’s the greed and corruption that got the better of the thinking minds.
Its that appetizer on Bangalore that will leave you craving for deeper content.
"Dawn never comes to the late riser!"
November 21, 2016
The chapter on future 'Bangaloreans' Siddhartha Mallya and Rohan Murthy was overdone and didn't really gel with the rest of the book. Otherwise a good, short read.
November 1, 2016
I read the Kindle edition of this book last night, what drew me towards it was a recommendation from a fellow GoodReads member who happened to read another recent book written by Harini Nagendra,'Nature in the City', a strong one on Bangalore. Anything about my city and I am game! The title of this book actually got me thinking, it does summarize the whole journey of this city of Bangalore, wherever it is heading to. The last paragraph got me tear eyed.I'm too in awe of George's attention to detail. He particularly focuses on the people who have made Bangalore-planners, politicians,entrepreneurs and their kids, theatre artists,writers, intellectuals, actors, the IT sector, hoteliers and even the commoners. The way the history is written completely amazed me. I now do not know if we deserve this all, whatever Bangalore provides us for we are nowhere close to what we are expected to do with it! I think it is time we take stock of the situation and do something before it reaches a point of no return. Reading books such as these is a step in that direction because here the writing is nothing but honest. There is fact, there is clarity and then there is the much needed warning. Read this one if you are a Bangalorean or if you are curious to know what makes it the magical city it is!
February 15, 2017
This book reads like a well written editorial in The Hindu. Which is to say it's articulate, opinionated, openly reverent of what its author has a soft spot for, and carries a subtle thread of sarcasm underneath it all. Completely unsurprising given the author's own background, though.
It begins with a section on the nature of cities that I loved. It was gratifying to read how the author views cities as composite entities rather than monoliths, something that mirrors my own views.
It goes on to offer a series of entertaining anecdotes and a narration of various aspects of Bangalore's history and identity, the sections on its liquor and food scene and its cultural scene being closest to my heart.
However, as you read on, the lack of substance becomes very apparent, disappointing even. And an entire chapter dedicated to the scions of the Mallya and Murthy families had me wondering why it was even included. The book is short at it is, and the 20 odd pages dedicated to exploring these men's lives kind of had me wondering what the point was. The lack of depth in the other chapters leaves you confused too.
As a recent transplant to Bangalore myself, the book showed me what generations of migrants before me had made of the city.
It begins with a section on the nature of cities that I loved. It was gratifying to read how the author views cities as composite entities rather than monoliths, something that mirrors my own views.
It goes on to offer a series of entertaining anecdotes and a narration of various aspects of Bangalore's history and identity, the sections on its liquor and food scene and its cultural scene being closest to my heart.
However, as you read on, the lack of substance becomes very apparent, disappointing even. And an entire chapter dedicated to the scions of the Mallya and Murthy families had me wondering why it was even included. The book is short at it is, and the 20 odd pages dedicated to exploring these men's lives kind of had me wondering what the point was. The lack of depth in the other chapters leaves you confused too.
As a recent transplant to Bangalore myself, the book showed me what generations of migrants before me had made of the city.
August 5, 2025
Nice short introduction to Bangalore . Most of the content was appropriate - the hotels ( famous and not so famous ones ) , classical music, IISc, destruction of lakes and green cover , IT growth , urban mess in the city , bookstores , etc ; an entire chapter on Siddharth Mallaya and Rohan Murthy was totally unnecessary ( Wonder what TJS George was thinking while writing this chapter as neither of them live in Bangalore. 20 odd pages here could have been utilised better ) .
March 9, 2025
Askew - A short biography of Bangalore - TJS George
Rating 3.5/5
I am a little skeptical about picking books on Bangalore. My two previous experiences with Bangalore books (Bangalore Blues - Stanley Cavalho and Peter Colaco's Bangalore) were pretty ordinary plus my current sombre approach to contemporary books (owing to poor previous experiences) made this, even a harder choice.
But the bright side showed up in the form of the size of the book (being only 128 pages) and the author himself. Its one of those books where - the author, his life and his pursuits turned out to be much more interesting than the book itself.
TJS George was born in 1928, the book was published in 2016, which makes him a good 88 year old when the book came out. Imagine what all an individual has seen during a lifetime, Indian independence, World War, post independence India, 60's 70's, IT Revolution and so much more. Someone like me cannot wait to read such an autobiography if it ever exists. TJS George happens to be Jeet Thayil's father (Jeet Thayil is a poet, novelist and musician).
The book starts pretty well. TJS George having lived and worked across Bombay, Bangalore, Patna, Hong Kong, New York opens the book with some memorable comparisons and highlights about each one of those places. Very soon the flight of description turns into Bangalore urbanization and runs into a deplorable commentary more about ill effects of population explosion, migrations, lack of resources, over crowded cities, localities etc. Mind you this was 2016. He takes an example of Sarjapur Road and Whitefield and the traffic snarls, bottle necks over there and life in general for those working living in that part of Bangalore - back then versus now (2016).
My interest in the book nosedived owing to this chapter, all because these are the things which I tend to overlook and wish not to acquaint myself in the books I read, only to know that - this book landed me head to head with another imaginary traffic jam.
Next came chapters on Malleshwaram, Basavangudi and the eateries of Bangalore. Nostalgia made little guest appearances here and there restoring some sanity but it was soon over. The next chapter was all on the offsprings of business tycoons of Bangalore. Wipro, Infosys and UB - were introduced. Premji and his family had only few sheets dedicated to them, but Rohan Murthy and Siddharth Mallaya have had a mini biography of them within this 130 page book. Was wondering if it was a marketing gimmick which failed to take off!
Lastly some peace was restored with writings on bookstores like Blossoms, Select Book shop, Ranga Shankara post which the urbanization ill effects and its writing showed up.
Overall, an okayish read, not much to ponder over. Book fails to transport you into that Bangalore which once had lakes, pleasant weather, no traffic snarls. The highlight of the book was the author himself. A veteran of multiple fields, areas, TJS George turns out to be an unknown rockstar. Time to read more on him!
Cheers,
Rating 3.5/5
I am a little skeptical about picking books on Bangalore. My two previous experiences with Bangalore books (Bangalore Blues - Stanley Cavalho and Peter Colaco's Bangalore) were pretty ordinary plus my current sombre approach to contemporary books (owing to poor previous experiences) made this, even a harder choice.
But the bright side showed up in the form of the size of the book (being only 128 pages) and the author himself. Its one of those books where - the author, his life and his pursuits turned out to be much more interesting than the book itself.
TJS George was born in 1928, the book was published in 2016, which makes him a good 88 year old when the book came out. Imagine what all an individual has seen during a lifetime, Indian independence, World War, post independence India, 60's 70's, IT Revolution and so much more. Someone like me cannot wait to read such an autobiography if it ever exists. TJS George happens to be Jeet Thayil's father (Jeet Thayil is a poet, novelist and musician).
The book starts pretty well. TJS George having lived and worked across Bombay, Bangalore, Patna, Hong Kong, New York opens the book with some memorable comparisons and highlights about each one of those places. Very soon the flight of description turns into Bangalore urbanization and runs into a deplorable commentary more about ill effects of population explosion, migrations, lack of resources, over crowded cities, localities etc. Mind you this was 2016. He takes an example of Sarjapur Road and Whitefield and the traffic snarls, bottle necks over there and life in general for those working living in that part of Bangalore - back then versus now (2016).
My interest in the book nosedived owing to this chapter, all because these are the things which I tend to overlook and wish not to acquaint myself in the books I read, only to know that - this book landed me head to head with another imaginary traffic jam.
Next came chapters on Malleshwaram, Basavangudi and the eateries of Bangalore. Nostalgia made little guest appearances here and there restoring some sanity but it was soon over. The next chapter was all on the offsprings of business tycoons of Bangalore. Wipro, Infosys and UB - were introduced. Premji and his family had only few sheets dedicated to them, but Rohan Murthy and Siddharth Mallaya have had a mini biography of them within this 130 page book. Was wondering if it was a marketing gimmick which failed to take off!
Lastly some peace was restored with writings on bookstores like Blossoms, Select Book shop, Ranga Shankara post which the urbanization ill effects and its writing showed up.
Overall, an okayish read, not much to ponder over. Book fails to transport you into that Bangalore which once had lakes, pleasant weather, no traffic snarls. The highlight of the book was the author himself. A veteran of multiple fields, areas, TJS George turns out to be an unknown rockstar. Time to read more on him!
Cheers,
May 18, 2017
A short but well written work on Bangalore, it's past, present and future. I especially enjoyed the chapter on the nature of cities in general and the chapters detailing the birth and growth of the liquor and food scenes in Bangalore, especially those in Basavangudi-Malleshwaram areas. Stories about prominent people in the city - its planners, civil servants, theatre artists, actors, politicians, writers and hoteliers, who have contributed to its development, give us immense perspective.
However, I would have liked more historical information on the city's development and its founding tale. The chapter on Rohan Murthy and Siddhartha Mallya was unnecessary. Would have liked to know about other important areas in the city like Koramangala and Indranagar . And it focuses too much on the 1970 years.
Though quite short a biography for a city this old, it is a decent book for those who want a quick read on the history and culture of Bangalore.
However, I would have liked more historical information on the city's development and its founding tale. The chapter on Rohan Murthy and Siddhartha Mallya was unnecessary. Would have liked to know about other important areas in the city like Koramangala and Indranagar . And it focuses too much on the 1970 years.
Though quite short a biography for a city this old, it is a decent book for those who want a quick read on the history and culture of Bangalore.
November 22, 2017
My love affair with Bangalore's past continues. TJS George is one of Bangalore's most respected chroniclers and he gives a beautiful insight into the growth of Bangalore from beloved city to chaotic metropolis that is no longer recognizable. I dropped a rating because I wasn't sure why there were so many pages in a very short book devoted to Siddhartha Mallya and Rohan Murty. Are these people the 'real' Bangaloreans? Not sure what the purpose of that was.
November 8, 2016
Delightful short read on what Bangalore used to be and what it is today - the supercity gone askew. Lovely anecdotes, great writing. Highly recommended.
January 1, 2019
The book says 'Short Biography of Bangalore' but it's just a collection of essays, based on personal experiences of the author. It even has a chapter on Siddharth Mallya!!
Can be skipped.
Can be skipped.
May 18, 2020
This book is more about persons from Bangalore than Bangalore itself. There is no doubt that important persons do constitute an integral part of any city but it is difficult to understand dedicating so many pages to Vijay Mallaya's son. How does he represent Bangalore? The book otherwise makes for an interesting read.
December 18, 2016
A brilliant book on the city, that covers a wide range of what Bangalore was all about to what Bangalore is today. Do read this one, will make you fall in love with Bangalore even more.
A quick, short, good read. My first that I picked from a Literature Fest, and finished it that day :)
A quick, short, good read. My first that I picked from a Literature Fest, and finished it that day :)
December 13, 2016
Always good to know so much about a place you call home...
February 18, 2019
#2019 #YearInBooks Book 19
Every city in the world has evolved over the years into what it is today. That change has happened across aspects, be it culture, architecture, gastronomy, arts, literature, and even technology. Bangalore is no different. This much is evident to those who have stayed in this city for many years, and called it home. "Askew" is partly a troubling title, partly a truthful title. And perhaps troubling because it is truthful to those who have seen what it used to be, seeing what it is now and perhaps thinking about where the city is headed seeing that present.
A biography looks at life from another's perspective. This book looks at Bangalore from the viewpoint of the author, as well as those who became part of its evolution... IT people who returned from abroad to play a role in the city becoming the Silicon Valley of India; the scions of the Murty and Mallya families; a person revered in the food scene of the city. It reflects the politics involved, the egos at play. It chronicles the growth of the city from a somewhat quiet city into the bustling city full of traffic jams that we know it to be today. And yes, there is a mention of the traffic too.
The book reads like an article in a newspaper or magazine. I liked the bits on food and music/theatre, and the evolution there. It felt familiar (especially Koshy's and Vidyarthi Bhavan), it felt interesting when mixed with the history. The other parts were okay, but an entire chapter on the scions felt unnecessary. A mention may have sufficed.
The book is a short one, but for me, it was a bit of a tedious read. An unusual way to learn more about a city I love.
Every city in the world has evolved over the years into what it is today. That change has happened across aspects, be it culture, architecture, gastronomy, arts, literature, and even technology. Bangalore is no different. This much is evident to those who have stayed in this city for many years, and called it home. "Askew" is partly a troubling title, partly a truthful title. And perhaps troubling because it is truthful to those who have seen what it used to be, seeing what it is now and perhaps thinking about where the city is headed seeing that present.
A biography looks at life from another's perspective. This book looks at Bangalore from the viewpoint of the author, as well as those who became part of its evolution... IT people who returned from abroad to play a role in the city becoming the Silicon Valley of India; the scions of the Murty and Mallya families; a person revered in the food scene of the city. It reflects the politics involved, the egos at play. It chronicles the growth of the city from a somewhat quiet city into the bustling city full of traffic jams that we know it to be today. And yes, there is a mention of the traffic too.
The book reads like an article in a newspaper or magazine. I liked the bits on food and music/theatre, and the evolution there. It felt familiar (especially Koshy's and Vidyarthi Bhavan), it felt interesting when mixed with the history. The other parts were okay, but an entire chapter on the scions felt unnecessary. A mention may have sufficed.
The book is a short one, but for me, it was a bit of a tedious read. An unusual way to learn more about a city I love.
February 17, 2019
The three stars is only for the brevity of this fine book. But whatever is there on the complex urbanity of Bengaluru, is written engagingly.
October 5, 2017
From the time I was a student, I have heard people delving into the nostalgic memories of Bangalore. Bangalore seemed to me as a city that once ventured will never leave our mind, like an obsessive lover. I have always been anxious about the real reason behind this admiration towards a city. When I recently visited the city all I could see was unending and frustrating traffic. But T.J.S George's book Askew provides a whole new perspective about the city, decades back.
Author tells us why everyone relates Bangalore with nostalgia. Basanagudi is the center of the stories. There is a historical anecdote about the growth of the city. The book is more about how and why Bangalore went askew with the change in culture. As the subtitle claims, the book is a brief biography of Bangalore. If you are a Bangalorean or if you have been to Bangalore for a brief or lengthy stay, you would relate more with the book.
The narration is lucid and the language is engaging. The book is a simple easy read, it could be completed in a few hours. Author has also inculcated the views of people about Bangalore and the political jugglery. Thankfully there is no washing dirty linen in public regarding the political or generational differences. A major blemish in the whole tale is unduly lengthy biography of Sidharth Mallya. Well, author could have his own reasons for the same.
Overall the book is an easy read into Biography of Bangalore,to tell Bangalore is a charmer.
This review is in return of a free book from the publisher
August 29, 2017
The title of the book aptly describes how the city has changed from the pleasant and tree lined roads of days gone by to the IT capital of the country. The book makes it pretty evident that the powers to be not only lost a golden opportunity to plan for the city's growth, but were guilty of corroding the city's soul. They chose to ignore the advice of Kempegowda's mother, to plant trees and build lakes.
The best part of the book is the chapter titled, The Genesis Kitchen. This chapter describes the birth of the city's famous eateries, the men who established these eateries, and the famous men and women who were its patrons. It is by no chance that these eateries are located in Malleshwara and Basavanagudi, two of the city's oldest areas. Later on in the chapter, the man and the idea behind the ubiquitous Darshinis are described. The book is worth reading for this chapter alone. I would have rated it 5/5, if not for the the author's insistence to call it Bangalore instead of Bengaluru. Though it sounds like a minor quibble, for a true blue Bengaluru boy, this is something that can't be ignored.
Read it to understand what a city is and what happens when it's soul is corrupted. Read it to understand Namma Bengaluru's story. Read it to understand what makes Bengaluru tick.
The best part of the book is the chapter titled, The Genesis Kitchen. This chapter describes the birth of the city's famous eateries, the men who established these eateries, and the famous men and women who were its patrons. It is by no chance that these eateries are located in Malleshwara and Basavanagudi, two of the city's oldest areas. Later on in the chapter, the man and the idea behind the ubiquitous Darshinis are described. The book is worth reading for this chapter alone. I would have rated it 5/5, if not for the the author's insistence to call it Bangalore instead of Bengaluru. Though it sounds like a minor quibble, for a true blue Bengaluru boy, this is something that can't be ignored.
Read it to understand what a city is and what happens when it's soul is corrupted. Read it to understand Namma Bengaluru's story. Read it to understand what makes Bengaluru tick.
September 27, 2018
This book about Bangalore is just like Bangalore itself - the Home I never grew up in and yet the Home that will forever be mine.
It brings upon me a wave of nostalgia and familiarity as it traces the journey of food, art and the written word.
It makes me seethe as it laments the widespread chaos and the pervasive greed of the scavengers as they tear the favorite child of nature apart with their dastardly acts.
It makes me wonder why it is necessary to weave the lives of its other “children” the famous scions of its famous sons - the Mallyas and the Murthys - while conveniently ignoring the daughters of both flawed masters of Bangalore’s fortunes.
This book about Bangalore is just like Bangalore itself. And that is in all humility, the best compliment and criticism that I can bestow upon both the book and it’s author.
It brings upon me a wave of nostalgia and familiarity as it traces the journey of food, art and the written word.
It makes me seethe as it laments the widespread chaos and the pervasive greed of the scavengers as they tear the favorite child of nature apart with their dastardly acts.
It makes me wonder why it is necessary to weave the lives of its other “children” the famous scions of its famous sons - the Mallyas and the Murthys - while conveniently ignoring the daughters of both flawed masters of Bangalore’s fortunes.
This book about Bangalore is just like Bangalore itself. And that is in all humility, the best compliment and criticism that I can bestow upon both the book and it’s author.
April 25, 2018
If you have been invited into Old Bangalore's page 3 circles, this is the who's who refresher book for you. A well edited micro read on the transition of Bengaluru from the 30s/40s to the chaos of today. The author brings a great point of how in the 70s, everyone cribbed on how Bangalore was going for the worse and a generation later the same retort remains with the next set of Bangaloreans. Considering the rarity of literature on Bangalore and its transformation, this book by TJS is a gold mine in that aspect even though it lays pretty superficial trying to capture a lot of breadth and skipping on the depth.
December 21, 2021
When I picked up this book from a little shop in Indiranagar, I assumed that it would give a chronological biography of the history, development, and culture of the city. This is not quite what I got, with the book instead flowing with stories of social issues and prominent happenings, establishments, and people of Bangalore.
In this way, the uninitiated reader doesn’t get much introduction to the various players of each story, and is not left with a holistic view of Bangalore. It reads more like a newspaper article for a regular audience then a biography. It feels generally unwelcoming to the outsider, a critique perhaps also applicable to the subject matter itself.
In this way, the uninitiated reader doesn’t get much introduction to the various players of each story, and is not left with a holistic view of Bangalore. It reads more like a newspaper article for a regular audience then a biography. It feels generally unwelcoming to the outsider, a critique perhaps also applicable to the subject matter itself.
January 6, 2017
Askew is an important book to read for all Bangaloreans and for those who love Bangalore. The book gives a bit of history , explains transitions and ponders about future. TJS George makes an excellent compilation of lens though which we can understand Bangalore's past , present and future.
Often humorously laid , the book still asks very pertinent questions that we ought to find answers to. Failing which, we not only fail ourselves , but we will let our beloved city down.
Often humorously laid , the book still asks very pertinent questions that we ought to find answers to. Failing which, we not only fail ourselves , but we will let our beloved city down.
September 23, 2018
The book was very interesting in parts.
The book was very interesting in parts, somehow the weaker part was dabbling into Siddhartha mallyas life for almost a chapter didn't find it apt in the story of Bangalore. The cricketing, quizzing and the cycling scene of Bangalore, & the death by chocolate of corner House ice creams which are part of the history and personality of the city was better than stories of mallayas and murtys. Thanks.
The book was very interesting in parts, somehow the weaker part was dabbling into Siddhartha mallyas life for almost a chapter didn't find it apt in the story of Bangalore. The cricketing, quizzing and the cycling scene of Bangalore, & the death by chocolate of corner House ice creams which are part of the history and personality of the city was better than stories of mallayas and murtys. Thanks.
February 11, 2021
Only talks about a small fraction of people in Bangalore-expats, famous artists, restaurateurs, and weirdly the sons of Narayana Murthy, founder of Infosys and Vijay Mallya, who don’t even live in Bangalore, and some mafia. Seemed kinda classist, sexist and curmudgeonly.
I was hoping for something deeper ala Rana Dasgupta’s profile of Delhi.
I was hoping for something deeper ala Rana Dasgupta’s profile of Delhi.
November 6, 2017
TL;DR: It's a person's opinion of Bangalore.
This book can be completed in one sitting. It has easy-to-follow vocabulary.
There're a few paragraphs about Basavangudi (mostly about South Bangalore) which were interesting to read about.
This book can be completed in one sitting. It has easy-to-follow vocabulary.
There're a few paragraphs about Basavangudi (mostly about South Bangalore) which were interesting to read about.
June 11, 2017
I guess it's supposed to be an insider's view of Bangalore but it was a little too much like a newspaper gossip column for me. Some fun info though.
February 4, 2023
The Bangalores I knew and loved. The Bangalore that now remains. This is a book I loved reading.
February 18, 2019
Askew or just lazy??
Gave a glimpse of Banglore's history in no particular order. A lot of references of people who represents the modern Bangalore, according to the author. It would have been interesting if there were more stats and numbers. At one point it was more of a short biography of Siddharth Mallya. Although was interesting to know his story but was not relevant to the theme of the book.
Gave a glimpse of Banglore's history in no particular order. A lot of references of people who represents the modern Bangalore, according to the author. It would have been interesting if there were more stats and numbers. At one point it was more of a short biography of Siddharth Mallya. Although was interesting to know his story but was not relevant to the theme of the book.
Read
December 15, 2016Often referred to as the Silicon Valley of India for being the hub for information technology (IT) companies in the country, the city of Bangalore (now Bengaluru), according to the arguments put forth in this book, has lost its traditional charm at the hands of modernity and enterprise.
"Askew" may be a rather unconventional title for this scholarly work, but the author's attention to detail in chronicling the journey of Karnataka's capital, "from a paradise for pensioners to an El Dorado of the future", will live to tell the many unknown tales of the old city.
The author's focus on those who have contributed to the city -- in ways both good and bad -- vividly narrates the stories of the planners, writers, intellectuals, actors, politicians, entrepreneurs and their children, theatre artists, the IT sector, hoteliers and even the commoners.
"Looked at through the lens of a Wordsworth poem," George writes, "Bangalore in its youth began in gladness but thereof came in the end despondency and madness."
After careful research and citing historical evidence, the book presents a blow-by-blow account of Bangalore's rise to modernity and, at the same time, its continued march towards losing the age-old charm associated with the city.
This is not a recent phenomenon. Even in the 1980s, when George "embraced the glorious city", he often heard the earlier residents complaining of similar changes.
"They would tell me how in the 1950s telephone numbers were in easy four-digit configurations, how the city bus service went to outlying areas..., and how an air ticket from Bangalore to Bombay cost Rs 285."
These imageries fascinated George, but he thought it was unfair of the old-timers to imply that the "city's charm" was gone. In his Bangalore, "the traffic was civilized, the parks were green and the trees full of birds".
Not surprisingly, by 2015 it was George's turn to grieve over the lost glories of Bangalore. "In all probability," George writes, "what bothered me were non-issues to Bangalore's new citizens just as what bothered folks in the 1950s and 1960s were non-issues for me in the 1980s."
The most significant argument that George makes is that even though Bangalore had etched a narrative of growth throughout history, the speed at which IT altered its sociology and economy made the city "unbearable".
"The old agreeable Bangalore was now replaced by an aggressive Bangalore where no one had time for his neighbours. Everyone was chasing success as measured by a new consumerist value system," asserts George, while also narrating the horrors caused to the city's ecology.
Why did modernity and enterprise make Bangalore unbearable?
"The answer is that Bangalore's elected leaders, administrators and builders disobeyed Kempe Gowda's mother."
Kempe Gowda, the fabled founder of Bangalore, was given two instructions by his mother in the 1530s before setting out to build his dream capital: "Keregalam kattu, marangalam nedu (Build lakes, plant trees)". Gowda created a hundred lakes and lined the pathways with wide, leafy trees.
Fast-forward to modern times. George, with visible sarcasm, regrets that politicians and land dealers of today were born to "different kinds of mothers" as, in just about three decades, 2,000 hectares of lakes were filled up and, in the late 2000s alone, 50,000 trees felled.
The short book makes for a fascinating case study on what Bangalore used to be and what it is today.
"Askew" may be a rather unconventional title for this scholarly work, but the author's attention to detail in chronicling the journey of Karnataka's capital, "from a paradise for pensioners to an El Dorado of the future", will live to tell the many unknown tales of the old city.
The author's focus on those who have contributed to the city -- in ways both good and bad -- vividly narrates the stories of the planners, writers, intellectuals, actors, politicians, entrepreneurs and their children, theatre artists, the IT sector, hoteliers and even the commoners.
"Looked at through the lens of a Wordsworth poem," George writes, "Bangalore in its youth began in gladness but thereof came in the end despondency and madness."
After careful research and citing historical evidence, the book presents a blow-by-blow account of Bangalore's rise to modernity and, at the same time, its continued march towards losing the age-old charm associated with the city.
This is not a recent phenomenon. Even in the 1980s, when George "embraced the glorious city", he often heard the earlier residents complaining of similar changes.
"They would tell me how in the 1950s telephone numbers were in easy four-digit configurations, how the city bus service went to outlying areas..., and how an air ticket from Bangalore to Bombay cost Rs 285."
These imageries fascinated George, but he thought it was unfair of the old-timers to imply that the "city's charm" was gone. In his Bangalore, "the traffic was civilized, the parks were green and the trees full of birds".
Not surprisingly, by 2015 it was George's turn to grieve over the lost glories of Bangalore. "In all probability," George writes, "what bothered me were non-issues to Bangalore's new citizens just as what bothered folks in the 1950s and 1960s were non-issues for me in the 1980s."
The most significant argument that George makes is that even though Bangalore had etched a narrative of growth throughout history, the speed at which IT altered its sociology and economy made the city "unbearable".
"The old agreeable Bangalore was now replaced by an aggressive Bangalore where no one had time for his neighbours. Everyone was chasing success as measured by a new consumerist value system," asserts George, while also narrating the horrors caused to the city's ecology.
Why did modernity and enterprise make Bangalore unbearable?
"The answer is that Bangalore's elected leaders, administrators and builders disobeyed Kempe Gowda's mother."
Kempe Gowda, the fabled founder of Bangalore, was given two instructions by his mother in the 1530s before setting out to build his dream capital: "Keregalam kattu, marangalam nedu (Build lakes, plant trees)". Gowda created a hundred lakes and lined the pathways with wide, leafy trees.
Fast-forward to modern times. George, with visible sarcasm, regrets that politicians and land dealers of today were born to "different kinds of mothers" as, in just about three decades, 2,000 hectares of lakes were filled up and, in the late 2000s alone, 50,000 trees felled.
The short book makes for a fascinating case study on what Bangalore used to be and what it is today.
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