In conversation with Arati Holla

Three Generations, One Building

My name is Arati Holla, I have been looking after this shop for around thirty years now. In 1960, my father-in-law Subramanyam Holla took this building and started Sri Krishna Vilas, a hotel that was doing quite well. After many years, my husband and father-in-law decided to turn it into a xerox shop.

When There Were No Traffic Signals

The changes I've witnessed are remarkable. Back then, there were no traffic signals in Malleswaram because there was barely any traffic. The roads were narrow, and you could move around easily without any rush. Now the area has become much more "posh." Older shops have been demolished to make way for new ones, and the whole character of the place has shifted.

From Vegetarian to Everything

This used to be a vegetarian area, but now it has become non-vegetarian. You see all kinds of food establishments that weren't here before. The people have also changed significantly. They aren't like they were before—everyone seems very restless and impatient. There's no time to speak because they're always on their phones. It has become harder to have a proper conversation with anyone.

Engineering Students Used to Come

The business has become quite challenging, especially after Covid. We used to get a lot of engineering students who would come to print their notes, but now everything is available online. The demand has dropped considerably. On 18th Cross, there are many xerox shops, and so competition is high. They do bulk work at lesser rates, but most of the xerox shops are old establishments like ours. Newer ones won't work because it has become very expensive to buy a building now.

My Favorite Area, Despite Everything

Despite all the changes, I still think it's a good area—it's my favorite area, actually. It's full of temples and tradition, and the flower market is particularly nice. Everything is nearby, so there's no trouble in that sense. You don't have to go far for anything you need. The only issue is that the area has become very costly. The older owners are not around anymore, so I don't recognize a lot of the new people. Now, even rent is so high, though the convenience of having everything nearby remains.

Something That Keeps You Attached

I like the people here. They are very helpful, and compared to other places, they are good and respectful. That hasn't changed much. Even with all the transformation, there's still something about this place that keeps you attached to it.