Church Street Weekends on Bengaluru's Church Street offer a distinct atmosphere, showcasing a variety of talent and creativity. Street performers entertain with soulful music, artists display their work, photographers capture the scene, and entrepreneurs present innovative food and artwork. Social media influencers strive to capture the essence of the cobbled street, while fortune tellers read faces for those seeking insight. Kulsum, a college student selling artisanal candles, describes the street as a reflection of Bangalore's soul and creative energy. Uttamveer, a longtime vendor of custom tote bags, notes the street's evolution over three decades, from a few stalls to a bustling hub influenced by the city's IT boom. Arul, a psychology student practicing face reading, offers intuitive insights to passersby, emphasizing the diversity and support of the Church Street community. Additionally, self-published authors have found success on Church Street, with Moyeen VN crediting the location for helping him sell thousands of copies of his book. Another author, Mahavir (SJ Johnson), takes an innovative approach to connect with readers in this vibrant environment.He offers his book for a donation-based system, stating, "I aim to simply share my work. I follow up with readers a week later for feedback." Fakhruddin, a skilled Indian coconut violinist known as pitil in Kannada, can be found at the crossroads of Brigade Road and Church Street. He has been entertaining passersby for 30 years, playing songs in various languages upon request. Despite being blind in one eye now, he is grateful when people stop to listen to his music on Church Street.
Church Street is a hub for diverse musicians, from renowned artists like Raghu Dixit to aspiring performers and regular street acts like Fakhruddin. The street also showcases numerous small businesses, with young entrepreneurs pursuing their passions while managing the responsibilities of adulthood. Some vendors see their ventures as side hustles, hoping for success before revealing their endeavors to family.
Artists like Shravani, a resin artist, and Divya, a handcrafted jewelry maker, find Church Street to be a valuable platform to showcase their talents. They appreciate the opportunity to connect with interested patrons despite the challenges of early mornings and lengthy hours required to secure a spot. College student Dhanush also frequents Church Street with his Polaroid camera, capturing moments for passersby and enjoying the vibrant atmosphere.Amera provides instant photo keepsakes to customers for Rs 150 each. "I can take up to 50 photos in one evening - sometimes even more," he reveals. As we talk, a group of women from Kerala, in Bengaluru for a college reunion, approach and ask for a photo. Dhanush quickly gathers the group and effortlessly captures their reunion in a single shot. He then hands them the developing photo, which they are thrilled with and request five more. "People visit here to make memories, and I'm glad to play a role in that," he says with a smile. (Photos and contributions by Karthikeyan Sairam)
