Indore takes the #10YearChallenge

Passing fad or not the #10yearchallenge has been taking the internet world by storm. Started as just a fun challenge, it has transformed into a tagline for some, while others have made the most of this challenge to draw attention towards issues of climate change, devastation of war or even show process of recovery from ailments. While the experts argue over its benefits and harm, we decided to bring the challenge home and see what all has transpired in Indore in the decade of 2009-2019.Here’s presenting Indore Times’ #10yearChallenge

Vibrance and multiple hues have made Indore their home in the past 10 years. The stark walls of public places, administrative buildings, colleges, schools even sulabh toilet complex have been painted over to sport pop of colour and art.

Not just the walls, but mundane and spots of garbage collection have also beautifully transformed into selfie points and riverfront gardens like that of Palasia selfie point which says ‘I love Indore’ or the Shekhar nagar basti near Kahn riverside that has become a thematic garden.

If the lifestyle of people evolves in ten years, can art and culture be far behind? In the decade 09-19, Indoreans have taken their theatre from Ravindra Natya Gruha to open air and open stages, the shayaris from mushairas to open mics, comedy acts from drama to stand-up acts and reading books to human library. The younger theatre artistes are not only experimenting with new themes, but also with audience’s involvement in their plays. Kshitij Kanik, who has staged full play productions in not just open stage but also at art exhibition recently. “The new-age theatre artistes don’t want to restrict themselves to a limited audience at performance halls, rather want to get audience involved in their act. This is something that has been happening internationally with theatre, and now we have also adapted the ideas.” Similarly, many stand-up comics have claimed the spotlight in the recent years, which was still unheard of in town of Indore. Concept of human books too has caught up in Indore, and now the Human Library has continuous chapters here.

For the city of foodies, some street delicacies have gone contemporary, while others still retain the old Indori flavours. The humble poha which is talk of the town now has a cheesy cousin on the streets, while size of crispy jalebis has increased to a growing jaleba with popularity on television and blog features. “Though typical Indoris still prefer their poha with sev, jeerawan and a dash of lime, some outlets have lured the youngsters with cheese poha” says Ravi Soni, owner of a famous snack corner in Chhappan Dukaan. However, favour remains divided on changes in poha. But sev – the variety now available is mind-boggling. “Ten years back people would generally ask for Ujjaini or Ratlami sev, but now flavours like paanipuri masala, cheese chilli etc. have become popular!” says Santosh Malviya, manager of a sev manufacturing chain. Not just the trademark poha-sev-jalebi, but the humble chai too has become more appealing with abundant variety.
This is the journey in the past decade, let’s see what the next decade has in store for Indore!