Bio-wise and otherwise

From Bacardi Breeze to Boiled beans

Bangalore's  a place where the average rainbow gets edged out by the smog clouds while the nocturnal screech of car tyres has learnt to harmonize with sounds of Metallica. A place where the baskets of fruit are outbound and the caskets of wine are inbound. A place where the spiritual gurus share the dais with politicians because of a strange similarity. One believes in God while the other believes he IS God.

But who cares about this 'n that? For it's fun and more wild and whacky fun for the new kid on the Bangalore-block. Yep, that's the one- the jeans- clad man with gelled hair and an overnight stubble to catch, er, match. Ditto for the woman, minus the stubble.

Where History meets Hotspots: Left: Vidhana Soudha building. Right: a nightclub

That's Bangalore. Or 'Bengalooru' (and some say 'Bengaluru'), as per the recent dictates of the government.

Based on information from the Gazetteer of India (taken from the web), Karnataka State, Bangalore District section, the name "Bangalore" is an anglicised version of "Bengalooru," a word in the local Kannada language that was given to a town. Apparently this word was derived from the phrase "bende kaalu ooru," which translates into "the town of boiled beans." It is said that King Ballala of the Hoysala dynasty lost his way in the jungle while on a hunting expedition. Tired and hungry, he encountered a poor, old woman who offered him the only food she had - some boiled beans. Grateful to her, the king named the place "bende kaalu ooru." However, historical evidence shows that "Bengalooru" was recorded much before King Ballala's time in a 9th century temple inscription in the village of Begur.

Now that the whole city is officially renamed 'Bengalooru' should a visitor expect any change in the hospitality department?. Well, don't expect to be served boiled beans like ol' times.You'll likely get pasta. Don't expect to meet kings with head gear. You'll only meet lads with headbands.

Bengalooru may be a de-anglicised version of a name, but English is still the top-ranking language.

That is, next only to Java. ;-)

Posted at 09:51AM Aug 30, 2007 by Manju in Personal  |