India, Feb. 19 -- I moved to Bengaluru in 2023. Sarukkai's novel is set at the turn of the century. Many of the turnings he has noted in it have amplified in these 25 years. He talks about the garden city becoming a 'compooter city'. A huge chunk of the metropolis now houses 'techies' primarily. In fact, I was recently told by an 'old Bangalorean' at Bob's Bar to move to that part of town so I could "be with my people". And that reflects the divide between old Bangalore and the new one. Well-meaning friends also often ask me to speak incorrect Hindi with autowallahs and shopkeepers to avoid being fleeced. This change is also captured in the novel.

The city is no melting pot. Its ingredients are in conflict with each other in their attemp...