On Church Street Weekends in Bengaluru, a unique atmosphere can be experienced. The street comes alive with buskers playing melodious tunes, talented artists, photographers, cartoonists, and aspiring entrepreneurs showcasing innovative food and quirky artwork. Social media creators aim to capture the essence of the cobbled street, while face readers and fortune tellers also add to the eclectic mix. According to Kulsum, a college student selling artisanal candles, Church Street offers a glimpse into the soul and creativity of Bengaluru. Uttamveer, a long-time vendor of custom tote bags, describes the street as the heart of the city, witnessing significant growth over the years due to Bengaluru's IT boom. Arul, a psychology student practicing face reading, offers intuitive insights to passersby for free, emphasizing the value of sharing his unique skill with others. Church Street has also become a gathering place for self-publishing authors, with individuals like Moyeen VN and Mahavir (SJ Johnson) finding success in reaching their audience and selling their books.He offers his book for any price readers wish to pay. His objective is simply to distribute his work, and he follows up with readers a week later to receive feedback.
Fakhruddin, a skilled player of the Indian coconut violin, known as pitil in Kannada, can perform songs in various languages upon request at the corner of Brigade Road and Church Street, where he has been showcasing his music for the past 30 years. Despite losing vision in one eye, he finds joy in sharing his melodies with listeners who pass by.
A variety of musicians, including professionals like Raghu Dixit, emerging talents, and regular street performers like Fakhruddin playing the pitil every weekend, can be found on Church Street, showcasing their limitless skills.
Numerous small businesses are taking flight on Church Street as young entrepreneurs strive to balance their dreams with the responsibilities of adult life. For some, like a candle seller, this venture is a side project yet to be revealed to their parents. Others, like resin artist Shravani and handcrafted jewelry maker Divya, find Church Street to be a welcoming platform to exhibit their creations and attract interest from visitors.
College student Dhanush, who specializes in Polaroid photography, is excited to enter the entrepreneurial world and make a mark in his chosen field.Amera provides patrons with instant photo keepsakes for Rs 150. He can take up to 50 photos in one evening, sometimes even more. During our conversation, a group of women from Kerala, gathered in Bengaluru for a college reunion, approach him and ask for a photo. Without hesitation, Dhanush quickly arranges the group and effortlessly captures their moment. After handing them the developing photo, the group is thrilled and asks for five more copies. Amera expresses his happiness in being able to help people create memories, stating, "People come here to create memories, and I’m happy to be a part of that." (Pictures and information provided by Karthikeyan Sairam)
