Has Bengaluru Lost Its Soul to Rapid Growth? | CTC Podcast | ft. Prem Koshy

Bengaluru wasn’t always India’s startup capital.Before the traffic, the tech parks, and the relentless pace — it was a slow, deeply cultural, globally connected city shaped by community, music, and memory.In this episode of Code to Culture by UnboxingBLR, Malini Goyal sits down with Prem Koshy, third-generation custodian of the iconic Koshy’s, to trace Bengaluru’s transformation across decades.From a grandfather who went from banker to baker during the 1930s crisis, to building one of the city’s most enduring cultural institutions, Prem’s story is deeply intertwined with Bengaluru itself.This conversation explores:Bengaluru’s evolution from cantonment culture to startup cityThe forgotten cosmopolitanism of pre-independence BangaloreHow spaces like Koshy’s became keepers of memory and identityYouth, rebellion, excess, and self-discovery across continentsWhat the city has gained — and what it may have lostThis is not just nostalgia. It’s a reflection on identity, growth, and what it means for a city to change faster than its memory.UnboxingBLR presents "Code to Culture," a podcast hosted by Malini Goyal (Founder and CEO of UnboxingBLR). This series features conversations with entrepreneurs, artists, and innovators who have significantly influenced Bengaluru. It dives into the unique journeys and experiences of individuals who have either introduced global concepts to Bengaluru or have introduced local ideas to a global audience.At UnboxingBLR, we bridge the gap between old and new, the traditional and the cutting-edge. We’re not just showing you the city; we’re inviting you to experience it, whether you’ve always called it home or just got here, and want to shape its future. Check us out on our socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fromcodetoculture   Twitter: https://x.com/codetoculture LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unboxingblr