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Who Am I? Just a Mallu Boy Trying to Find His Way in Namma Bengaluru

Hi there!

If you’ve landed on this page, I’m assuming you’re either curious, lost, or stalking me for some reason.

Either way, welcome!

Who am I?

I’m Tariq SP (opps, Tarriq Salaam). 😉

Born way back in 1977 (yes, practically a dinosaur, but hey, not extinct yet), a Malayali by blood, Bengalurean by heart, and someone who’s been through more career changes than I’ve had hairstyles.

Born in ’77. Ancient, not extinct. I’m just a Mallu boy figuring life out in Bangalore.
Tarriq Salaam, Bangalore Blogger and RealtorTarriq Salaam

Let me take you through my story.

It’s got drama, it’s got comedy, and a few not-so-fun plot twists too.

So grab a cup of filter coffee, or Suleimani chai (I don’t judge), and read on.

From Kuwait to Cantonment: My First Tryst with Bangalore

I was born in ’77, back when black-and-white TVs were still cool and dinosaurs like me were just hatching.

I spent my early years in Kuwait, soaking up the Gulf life. Yalla Habibi!

Who Am I? Kuwait Towers

That’s where I did my schooling, ate a lot of shawarma (which I still do), and watched more Indian TV shows than I care to admit (thanks, VHS cassettes).

But life took a sharp turn after my 10th standard.

I landed in Bangalore. And boy, was it love at first sniff.

I still remember stepping out of Cantonment railway station early one misty morning.

The chill in the air, the light fog dancing around auto rickshaws, the sleepy charm.

It felt like the city gave me a warm (or rather, cool) hug.

That first auto ride through the dewy streets sealed the deal. Bangalore had me at “meteru.”

College Days: More ‘Outside Class’ Than Inside

I did my PU at Baldwin Methodist College (a lot of method, not much study).

And then, like every good Malayali boy who wasn’t good at dancing, singing, or acting (I speak for myself, manasilayo), I joined Engineering.

I graduated from BMS College of Engineering as a Mechanical Engineer.

Although let’s be honest, most of my mechanical skills were applied in bunking classes and “networking” at nearby bakeries. 😄

This also includes my early morning classes at Brahmin’s Coffee Bar and Vidyarthi Bhavan.

Sigh! That was life. 🙂

Real Estate, Cars & The Hustle Bug (It All Started in College)

While most students were cramming for internals, I was hustling.

Real estate and car sales became my side gig.

I didn’t know then that it would come full circle 30 years later.

Once I wrapped up my engineering (in 4 years, surprisingly) and also did a course at NIIT (do they still exist?), I found myself stepping into the world of tech.

The Dotcom Days: Hello, Indya.com!

I got my first “real job” as a website developer with Indya.com Portal Pvt. Ltd., back when the internet was dial-up and MSN and Yahoo! Messenger ruled our lives. (ASL anybody? 😂)

I went on to work with several IT firms over the next few years.

But deep inside, the entrepreneur in me was itching. And the itch kept getting stronger.

Door-to-Door Dreams: My First Attempt at Entrepreneurship

I finally scratched that itch by launching a bi-weekly news magazine.

Yup, printed, stapled, and pitched door-to-door by yours truly.

I spent eight months pounding pavements across the CBD, convincing shop owners to advertise.

It was exciting, exhausting, and ultimately, short-lived.

But those eight months taught me something important: I had to get back into real estate.

The Real Estate Run: From Agent to Portals to… Trouble

I got back into familiar waters.

I set up shop in Indiranagar, launched a few real estate portals (back then, getting on Page 1 of Google was as easy as breathing), and started helping people buy and sell properties.

Here’s a look at what my first real estate website looked like back in 2007. 🙂

Bangalore Real Estate Website

Step-by-step, I connected with all the builders and developers in Bangalore and was happy selling their projects across the city.

I even ventured into selling a few projects around Mysore.

Hungry to learn more, I took up short stints at Hanu Reddy Realty, Knight Frank, and even the big leagues at Prestige Group.

All this was to understand the industry better, get structured exposure, and sharpen my skills.

Business was good. Too good.

That’s when it happened. Greed knocked on my door, and I let it in.

The Fall: When Ambition Outran Experience

I thought, “Why sell someone else’s property when I can sell my own?”

So, I jumped into land development. And guess what?

I jumped right into a 100-acre land development. Gulp!

With grand ideas, strong contacts, and zero experience, I started drawing investments and got into a project that was way too big for me to handle solo.

And then, like a Jenga tower after a sneeze, everything came crashing down.

Financially, personally, emotionally, I hit rock bottom.

Reset Mode: Back to Digital

Broken but not defeated, I turned to digital marketing.

I took up a course, got skilled, and began working as a content writer for one of the leading WordPress themes.

Through Covid and beyond, that job kept me afloat.

But the mess I had created kept haunting me.

So eventually, I quit the job and got back to real estate.

This time, with zero ego, tons of experience, and a renewed sense of purpose.

No more land development. Just honest-to-goodness estate agency work.

Where I Am Now: The Journey Back to Life

Am I still fixing the chaos I created? Yes.

But for the first time in years, I feel confident.

I’m finally heading in the right direction, with clarity and calmness.

And through it all, my family stood by me — my parents, my sister, and most of all, my mother, who deserves a lifetime of thanks and more.

Who Am I? Why This Blog? Why Now?

After everything I’ve been through, the highs, the free-falls, and the caffeine-fueled comebacks, I knew I had to create something meaningful.

Something real.

That’s how this blog, tariqsp.com, was born.

This isn’t just another blog floating around on the internet.

It’s my corner of the web, a space where I get to share everything I’ve learned (and unlearned) over the years, especially as someone who’s lived, worked, struggled, and thrived in this beautiful madness we call Bangalore.

This blog isn’t just my story — it’s a place to help fellow Bengalureans find theirs.
Tarriq Salaam, Bangalore Blogger and RealtorTarriq Salaam

So, what can you expect here?

Well, a bit of everything that makes Bangalore… Bangalore. 🙂

I’ll be writing about real estate (of course!), with tips, guides, and inside stories for buyers, renters, and investors.

But beyond that, this blog will also be your friendly neighborhood resource for:

  • 🌆 Things to Do in Bangalore: Hidden gems, must-visit spots, food joints that deserve awards, parks, walks, weekend plans, and everything in between. From the streets of Jayanagar to the rooftops of Koramangala, I’ve got you.
  • 🚗 Superbikes & Luxury Cars: Because why not dream big and loud? I’ll be featuring some seriously drool-worthy machines you can spot or own in the city.
  • 🏍️ Rides, Drives & Escapes: Road trips, bike rides, and quick getaways from Bangalore that deserve a spot on your calendar.
  • 💼 Interviews with the Who’s Who of Bangalore: From business moguls and startup wizards to artists and changemakers, I’ll be bringing you stories of the people who are shaping the city. Expect insights, inspiration, and a peek into what makes these folks tick.
  • 🛠️ Services That Help Bangaloreans: Whether you’re looking for a real estate agent (👋), interior designers, home loan experts, or someone to just get that long-pending documentation work sorted, I’m curating a list of trusted services to make life in Bangalore easier.
  • 🧭 Guides & Local Wisdom: Need to register a property? Want to know how to survive your first Lalbagh Flower Show visit? Looking for the best schools, gyms, or co-working spaces? I’ve got it all lined up, from practical know-how to hyperlocal hacks.
  • ✍️ My Stories: Yes, the ups, downs, and “you-won’t-believe-this” kind of stories from my own life. If it helps even one person avoid a mistake I made, I’d consider it worth it.

In short, tariqsp.com is a reflection of my life in this city, with all its flavors, challenges, chaos, and charm.

Think of it as your unofficial Bangalore handbook, written by someone who’s been here long enough to remember when MG Road was peaceful, and Koramangala wasn’t a parking lot.

So why now?

Because now, more than ever, I believe in serving.

This blog is my way of contributing to the city that’s given me so much: friends, failures, faith, and a fresh start.

Over to You…

Does my story sound familiar?

Have you had your share of ups, downs, and detours?

I’d love to hear from you. 🙂

Drop a comment, shoot me a message, or just say hi.

Let’s connect, learn, and grow together.

Because at the end of the day, we’re all here to serve, and this blog is my humble attempt to do just that.

Connect with me on Instagram @iamtariqsp.

Tarriq Salaam, Bangalore Blogger and Realtor

Need Help in Bangalore?

Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or rent property in Bangalore, need assistance with property documentation or liaison work, or just need help getting something, rather, ANYTHING done in the city, I’m here to help.

And if you’d like to get featured or want an article written about you, your business, or your brand, feel free to reach out.

Just drop me a line at hello@tariqsp.com or ping me on WhatsApp (bottom right of the screen).

I’m always happy to connect! 🙂

Tarriq Salaam

Tarriq Salaam #Blogger
Tarriq Salaam #Bloggerhttps://tariqsp.com
I’m Tarriq Salaam, a Bangalore-based blogger and realtor with a passion for exploring the city’s vibrant culture, luxury spaces, and dynamic lifestyle. Through this blog, I aim to serve — by sharing honest recommendations, unique finds, and helpful insights that bring the best of Bangalore to locals and visitors alike.
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