The City authorities have decided to redesign and redevelop some of the historic markets in Bangalore. In an article in the Bangalore Mirror, ‘Is this the end of the road for the city’s iconic markets?’, we read that the government believes that a joint venture model will give the markets a facelift and help get higher revenues. I can’t help thinking about who has been “designing” our Bazaars? I’m thinking of ‘bazaars’ as not just the market buildings, but the cluster of push cart vendors at the street corner, the street bazaars, the market precincts that sometimes spread over much of the neighbourhood, like in Russell market or Chickpete.
It doesn’t seem like anybody designs our Bazaars. And yet, you sometimes get a sense of design. And, you wonder…
Is it…
because the paan-shop is what it is?
Is it…
the plan of the bazaar that works?
Is it…
the attractive display that must change everyday?
Is it…
the road-side shrine that just happens?
Is it…
the 4 ft x 4 ft “convenience store” around the street corner?
Whenever I travel to a new place, I try to go to the local market there. And, I’ve found that early mornings is the time when a bazaar is most alive! After I’d visit a bazaar, I would come back and write about it. Some of that writing is here: Indian Bazaars. You can also check out the facebook page of Indian Bazaars.
