And this me time; gives me so much of freedom. I can do what interests me without worrying about anything. I can walk miles together without having to hear complaints; or eat where I want and what I want and more importantly whenever I want. Its not that its always alone; I do have couple of friends who share my interests and I am glad I found like-minded people. Better late than never. So instead of dreading weekends; these days I've started looking forward to since I know I have something or the other to keep me occupied.
There are plays to see, events to attend, places to walk to or people to meet. Today; I walked along the MG Road Boulevard. The boulevard had nice walkway with chairs and flowering trees before the metro rail construction. They had to destroy it temporarily for railway construction and post that; the corporation had painstakingly reconstructed the boulevard again. This time; much better. Its been around for a year and a half now and I've always wanted to go. There are art exhibition, music something or the other happening and I went today.
I walked along the boulevard; amazed by the art exhibits and being on MG road; it seemed in some other place. Totally undisturbed and on its own. Continued along and walked inside Cubbon Park. Bangalore's gem. I hope it stays that way. Again, amidst the city and yet all you can hear is birds chirp and see dense foliage at places. Found myself wandering into the State Central Library and oh my! What was I doing all these years being here? That was heaven. A day well spent!
Where are the ants going? Outside the photography exhibition
Drawing by school kids exhibited all along the boulevard
Kids playing snake and ladder
I have always been crazy about snapping windows and doors. The doors had this mono blocks which was too enticing.
A bird there, a man here. An owl overseeing from above
There was a puppet exhibition as well. Puppets from all around the world - different kinds - rod puppet, popup puppets, string puppets, shadow puppets..It was a treat to the eye.
Shadow puppets
Play area
Its crowded; but I am alone....Contemplating
Do you know there are statues of Queen Victoria, King Edward, Sir Mark Cubbon, Chamarajendra Wodeyar and Seshadri Iyer located in front of various historical buildings within the park. They are all 100 years old now. The Central Library, The Band Stand, The High Court were built before the 1920s.
Here is the status of Queen Victoria right at the junction of Kasturba, St. Marks and MG Road but not many know its existence. This status was installed in 1906.
Stairway to heaven. A hidden cast-iron spiral staircase in State Central Library
Inside the library. Books and books and just books. Its readers paradise. The building of central library is again an old one built in 1915 in classic European style with Tuscan and Corinthian columns.
Thats what I did in those two - three days. Stroll around in banglore roads.
ReplyDeleteI dont understand the relevancy of your comment to this post
DeleteMeaningful 'me-time' I must say.Thanks for sharing.Loved everything in it.Very much a 'light' feel while reading and long 'ho-I did miss this !' sigh afterwards.All your clicks are worth watching Insi.Those puppets , how they are so amazing my God ! Queen Victoria out there is another revelation ..Cheers !
ReplyDeleteMelange,
DeleteIts surprising to find out what all one can do by himself. ITs just that we brood sitting in a corner. The puppets were awesome. The thing about Queen Victoria is that its right there for everyone to see; but they miss it
"Now it did take a while to realize being alone is different than being lonely isn't it."
ReplyDeleteHmm that is one of the few statements i have seen that has struck me of late.
Well the Spiral stairway! I always feel that spiral stairways have a romantic air about it. don't you think so?
Anil,
DeleteSubtle difference in saying but a huge difference in behavior and action with these two words - being alone and being lonely.
The spiral staircase has lured me; especially these ones. And I've read there are many such beauties in Europe as part of mid century architecture. This one especially led to nowhere; maybe to the balcony but couldn't view up above.
Lovely post Bindu! Have enjoyed such solitary walks in streets of Bangalore and one can never have a dull moment:)
ReplyDeleteRahul,
DeleteThanks much. True :)
Agree completely... there's a huge difference between happy solitude and feeling lonely. Being able to joyously and productively spend time alone is something I love doing too. You discovered some amazing places and sights. Loved the ants on the wall and the door... so creative and unique!
ReplyDeleteYeah Shilpa and it takes a while to realize. Those arts and sculptures were works of students from Chitrakala Parishat.
DeleteAs always, super post Insignia. Many people are alone and lead happy lives. It has many advantages. You can read, write, walk, etc. etc. But it should never turn into drinking alcohol alone and/or watching too much TV.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the nice photos.
Yes, thats not good; people end up doing those in self pity. Thanks SG
Deletewow! I really think you have posted something awesome! bcz i really love to do these things.being myself all alone and watching things like this, walking, dreaming, having fud when i wish and things you said.In this positive way :-)
ReplyDeleteand the creativity is superb isn't it? :-) guess there wasn't any shadow puppets dancing.. just an exhibition and that's all right? :-)
Alice,
DeleteThanks much. Yeah, you don't realize the fun unless you do it. It was just exhibits; no shows. Nevertheless it was so colorful.