OLD BATA TALES

Some houses aren’t just made of bricks and paint—they’re made of smells, sounds, and scenes that stay with us long after we’ve moved on.

I grew up in one such house, balanced right above a Bata showroom. While others saw a simple shoe store, for me, it was the stage where my childhood quietly unfolded. 

"We never really had to go shopping for footwear anywhere else—because we lived right above a Bata showroom! Honestly, who didn’t love Bata back then? I'm not sure about the newer generation, but those who grew up in my time were definitely proud Bata fans." But it wasn’t just about the shoes. Our home was in the heart of the old town, right beside the iconic One Town Police Station in Visakhapatnam. A place full of stories, hustle, and history.

Upstairs, our house had a long verandah that opened up to the entire town—our own little balcony to the world. From there, we could see everything: the crowded buses, honking cars, lazy dogs, wandering pigs, and a whole lot of life unfolding every day. It was chaotic, noisy, and absolutely beautiful.

“I’ll be sharing a collection of memories from that upstairs world—where the smell of new shoes, the buzz of customers, and the creaky wooden floors became the soundtrack to my growing-up years.”

Until then,

Greeshma.