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Going mad about mega malls

Mangalore has taken to the mall culture like the proverbial duck to water, as M. Raghuram finds out

NEW ATTITUDES Malls are changing the way Mangaloreans define leisure PHOTO: MURALI KUMAR K.

This traditional coastal city is changing colours and how! The change is profound and pronounced. People are conscious about their looks, their attitude and the things they do.

Part of this sea-change is the mega shopping malls that are mushrooming all over the city. It would be unfair to say the city has not seen change in the past. In fact, change is the middle name for Mangaloreans who are one of the first in the State — if not in the country — to buy the latest cars, electronic gadgets and cellphones. But the recent changes seem to have put Mangalore on the fast lane. The city seems to be well en route to becoming a bustling metropolis. A casual glance around reveals Mangaloreans munching pizzas, guzzling pitchers of beer and mocktails in swanky lounges and going to the movies at the multiplex. The old concept of fun — dance bars, pubs and live bands — no longer attract the movers and shakers and discotheques are yet to make their presence felt.

A first

Bharat Mall, which opened recently, is the first family entertainment centre (FECs) of the city. There are many more in the pipeline that are apparently held up due to violations of the National Building Code. The Mangalore chapter of the Builders Association is confident that the issues would be sorted out and the other malls would come up soon. Malls are a common feature in the western world. A typical day out would find families spending the day in a mall that has something for everyone. Starting from spacious parking lot to park even those humungous SUVs. Children have their movie theatres, games and ice-cream here while for the teens, it is the ultimate hangout. The lady of the house can shop till she drops while the man can look for his particular kind of toy — music, electronic and car accessories or books.

Mangaloreans have taken to malls like ducks to water. Another reason to spend time here is the air conditioning that offers respite from the sweltering summer heat. There are families who religiously come to the malls in the morning only to leave at night after sampling all the delights on offer — from food to films and other similar activity.

The escalators

If escalators don't make you nervous, then you can sail up and down the floors, turning a derisive lip at the good old staircase. And for those who would like to show their appreciation of the good time they've had, there is the bell at the entrance of the newly opened Pizza Hut at Bharat Mall. Satisfied customers ring the bell to tell the chef so. Sated families ensure that every member rings the bell and are rewarded with a loud thank you from the pizza people.

The operator at Adlabs is witness to new phenomenon where families come together to the counter and then split up to watch the movie of their choice. That could be called a celebration of new age togetherness separately!

Talking about movies, there are three kinds of theatre experiences — the pre-liberalisation theatre, the post-liberalisation one and the new plush air-conditioned multiplex. The possibilities are truly endless.

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