Sniff sniff.. But I'm not weeping!!

After many years, I got a chance yet again to travel in Mysore Road in a two-wheeler and I experienced an aching sense of nostalgia. What seemed to be an olfactory adventure once has now become a sweet memory tucked away into the time elapsed folds of my childhood.

Travelling pillion in Mysore road with Dad was a routine. The fun would actually begin at the Mysore road and West of Chord road junction near the BHEL office. The game was simple, to identify as many different smells as possible from the junction till we reached The Club opposite the Rajarajeshwarinagar arch. I would become all stiff and ready as we neared the BHEL junction.

As we turned towards Mysore road at the junction, I would start sniffing lightly. The first smell was from the fishmonger’s, right at the turning, on the footpath of BHEL office. Of course I found the smell of fish revolting and I would never take more than one whiff of breath as if anything more would kill me.

A few tens of meters ahead from the junction and there would be a light aroma of confectionaries from the roadside bakery. A deep breath and yum, I’ve even remember having water in my mouth a few times.

Further up ahead, the main road had petrol bunks on both sides and the addictive smell of petrol would lightly linger in the air. Another deep breath, I have been a sucker for petrol smell ever since.

As we progressed in the direction, my most awaited landmark in Mysore road would near. The Kwality Biscuit factory, opposite the Siddharooda Aashram!! The air would be rich with the heavenly aroma of freshly baked biscuits. I would inhale and exhale deep and fast as if I wanted to take in every whiff of the delicious smell. Heaven lasted a little while here.

A few more hundreds of meters from there and I used to be wary of even breathing, let alone sniff at the smell in air. One of the major water sources of Bangalore once and polluted beyond all limits ever since, Vrushabhavathi flowed. Monsoons and cyclones were the bane of existence for the regular commuters of Mysore road, when the polluted water would overflow onto the main road. The stench emanating was unbearable at all times. I would carefully breathe and as soon as the stench began, I would hold my breath for as long as I could.

Finally, a few more minutes along the same road and I would be hit by a pungent blast of Hydrogen chloride from the chemical factory next to the Rajarajeshwarinagar arch. Another few seconds of holding my breath and I would be gasping for fresh air. Thankfully, I’d have reached my destination by then!!

When I drove along the familiar road after many years, every minute of the journey reminded me of the innocent little girl and her so called olfactory adventure while riding pillion with her father. No, I did not try doing the same this time and I’m sure I’d have choked on the thick smoky air, had I tried.

Other than that, I could not help but notice many other changes. The fishmonger now sells fried fish too; the smell is probably more repulsive now. The old confectionary shop has closed down. The old petrol bunks are now replaced by sleek Shell fuel stations. Kwality Biscuit factory has vanished and replaced by a Bajaj showroom. The absence of the aroma of freshly baked biscuits touched a sentimental note as though it made the end of my childhood glaringly obvious. Nevertheless Vrushabhavathi stank just the same!!

I broke out of my reverie soon, but the aching nostalgia persisted. I wished I could go back to those glorious days of my childhood, when million such little things filled the days and the sole purpose of every minute was to have fun. Period.