The years between the 1970s and 1980s bring back glimpses of bell-bottom pants, custom-fitted gowns, and no ready-made clothes. The bell bottoms, with a standard bottom size ranging from 18 to 20 inches or larger, were the epitome of fashion. The market had not yet been overtaken by ready-made clothing, and the neighborhood tailor was the unsung hero, creating unique ensembles. Checks, dots, and long-collared shirts were the styling that gained flair.
Talking about social norms included unannounced visits, even from distant relatives, as there were no cell phones. Though this would lead to some change in the routine of the host family, people were more welcoming and warm in hospitality. With our practice of "Atithi Devo Bhava," no matter how far people lived and without an easy mode of communication, the shared relationship was more meaningful and authentic.
In 1977, the government banned MNCs that sent Coca-Cola out of circulation, allowing Indian brands like Thumbs Up, Fanta, and Limca to become people's favorites.
The roads were dominated by just two car brands – Ambassador and Fiat. And the waiting list for scooters was a good 30+ months. Therefore, there used to be less traffic and less pollution.
Most children walked to schools or in bicycles and it used to be more playful with exploring the nearby places between home and school.
On our way, we used to have childlike debates and discussions on multiple aspects of life that we understood at our age. We mostly talked about cricket.
Libraries were knowledge hubs, with Enid Blyton, Hardy Boys, comics, Amar Chitra Katha, Indrajal, Tintin, Archie's, and more graced the shelves. More children were inclined to drawings and crafts, as there was no mobile phone to distract their childhood minds. Additionally, thrilling entertainment meant picnics, scouts, and camps instead of video games or Xboxes.
The cricket fever ran high. As a kid, I remember small passport-size photographs of cricketers became our prized possessions. Cricket matches were community events, with discussions lingering over for days. The quintessential five-day test match with a rest day after 3 days of playing brought a unique pleasure.
The cricket commentary, adorned with drab commentators like Salim Durrani and Lala Amarnath, painted the canvas of sports entertainment. International sports stars were rare, with the Amritraj brothers standing alone on the global stage.
Television was the primary luxury mode, and there used to be programs only in the evenings and Sunday mornings. We firmly waited for Chaaya Geet at home with more soaps like Phool Khile Hein Gulshan by Tabassum and stand-up comedians like Surendra Sharma added joy to the limited TV entertainment. Foreign shows and cartoons like I Love Lucy, Charlie Chaplin, and Telematch are a few cherished shows that kept the children occupied and entertained.
The silver screen showcased blockbusters like Sholay, Mother India, Waqt, Pyaasa, Guide, Shree 420, Hum Dono, Do Bheega Zameen, Mughal-e-Azam, and others.
The first English songs like "Funky Town," Bonney M, Abba, and Michael Jackson's Moonwalk and Break Dance captivated the Indian audience.
Postal services reached even the remotest villages, with inland letters and handwritten notes carrying the saga of well being & romances. Love used to be more precious; people were more patient, and there was elegance in waiting for replies, unlike when feelings get flipped and passed away, as is the speed of the connection.
Telegrams were potential bearers of bad news and were ingeniously crafted with minimal words.
The era was marked by stamp collections, painstakingly extracted from letters and preserved in albums. But it was fun and a healthy competition between the kids and adolescents.
Another enchanting trend that still makes me smile as I write here is the era of pen friendships. Yes!!!! Friendship had the magical ability to bloom across distances, uniting souls through the art of handwritten letters.
As the '70s melted into the '80s, this era left an indelible mark, a time that carries unique trends, cultural shifts, and the undying charm of simplicity and personal connections.
I feel the current generation is missing out a lot amidst technology and fast paced life. A pause is so important to stop and reflect. This book is intended to create a trans state where the elder generations can live the older times and the current generation can learn and feel the lost charm and do a time travel in imaginations.
Echoes of the Decades : 1970 - 1980
The decade from 1970 to 1980 appears as a bright canvas painted with the hues of transition in the history of a nation that has just come out from 200 years of darkness. And often, I find myself taken back in time, carried away by the nostalgic winds of a bygone period when I sit in the silent nooks of my home.
In life, is anything ever going to stay the same? The world will change every second, minute, hour, day, and year, whether we like it or not, and it is something we must come to terms with.
There will always be change!
The law of nature is change!
The law of the cosmos is change!
A fundamental aspect of our existence, shift includes modifications, changes, or adjustments in multiple facets of our own lives as well as those of society and the world at large. It is an unavoidable, ever-present force that molds our lives and can produce both good and bad results.
Many things can cause change, including improvements in technology, social movements, human development, changes in the environment, and much more.
In the same way, the period between 1970 and 1980 was filled with changes that fueled the growth of India as a nation and positioned it on the global stage.
Nuclear Whispers: Buddha's Smiling Ripples
It was a historic event that occurred in the early 1970s and had an impact outside of India. The country carried out its first nuclear test, known as Smiling Buddha, on May 18, 1974. The event coincided with the day of Buddha Purnima. This initiative marked India's entry into the nuclear club, and its effects were felt not only in the dry landscapes of Rajasthan but across the globe. Recalling this makes me feel proud, and I remember, as a small child, vaguely recall the elders anxiously discussing this revolutionary move during my growing years.
The Wound of Emergency
However, a sad chapter was sewn into the fabric of this exuberant decade when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared a state of emergency in 1975, putting doubt on the country's democratic values. People's liberty was negatively affected. The echoes of suppressed opposition and the tenacity of those who dared to oppose still reverberate in memory of those days.
The Changing Trends of Indian Cinema
Legendary Sholay was released on Independence Day in 1975. The film was a disaster when it opened amidst many opposition leaders being put in jail, and there was fuming political turmoil in the air. But after the initial run, Sholay caught the fancy of the people.
And Hema Malini appeared with a wave of fresh fantasy and emotions on the screen and the Indian movie theaters found a fresh delight. Audiences were spellbound by Hema Malini's ethereal grace during a time when India was going through a social transformation. Her dance movements reflected shifting themes rather than being merely choreographed.
The Conversation Around Urine as a Therapy
In 1977,India got its first non Congress government with Morarji Desai as the prime Minister. Besides taking hold of time then, a revelation made Morarji memorable. He was a longtime practitioner of 'urine therapy', and spoke in 1978 to Dan Rather on 60 Minutes about the benefits of drinking urine. He also attributed his longevity to drinking urine. The listeners were caught between marvel and awe, and everyone wondered what could be the science behind it.
Worldwide Repercussions: The End of the Vietnam War
As India was dealing with its own domestic issues, the Vietnam War came to an end in 1975. Though images of people fleeing Saigon stressed the society. There used to be hush and loud conversations about the consequences of war, peace, and the delicate balance of global politics.
The First Non-cricket Sport in India Got Public Cheer
Non-cricket sports in India took a significant leap when Prakash Padukone achieved success in badminton. When he won the prestigious All England Open Badminton Championships, it marked the coming of age of the sport in the country. At 24, Padukone was hardly the favourite going into the iconic tournament, having been knocked out at the quarter-final stage in the previous edition. But with a win over Indonesia's Liem Swie King in 1980 at the Wembley Stadium, he heralded a new era not only for badminton but also for non-cricket sport in India. Interestingly, his daughter Deepika Padukone, though pursuing a different field, showcases a similar determination to carve her own identity through being an outsider in Bollywood, eventually establishing herself as a superstar in the industry.
In the Weaves of Time
The decade ended with India winning the Moscow Olympic gold in 1980..thanks to a boycott by many Western nations. Indira Gandhi won back power and the death of Sanjay Gandhi in a plane crush, who had faded in significance.
The years 1970 to 1980 are more than just periods in history; they are relics of a dynamic time that influenced our stories, ambitions, and shared futures.
I feel a sense of longing as I write these memories down—a desire for a past that influenced the present. India has metamorphosed a lot, reflecting the more significant shifts in the nation and the globe.
These narratives will serve as beacons for you as you set out on your own trip through time, navigating the alleys of a history that continues to exist inside each of us. Because only by knowing the past can we find the pillars that support us and the winds that carry us on into an uncertain but optimistic future.