What’s so special about a Sunset? What is it that drives hoards of people across the world to go and view a Sunset? Is it the magic of nature or is it the calm vibes that the setting sun passes off that we all aspire to receive? Whatever the reason maybe this Sunday I decided to watch the sun bid adieu to the weekend, amidst the scenic surroundings of Bombay’s skyline.
As I walked through the bay from Churchgate station, I saw a variety of people sitting on the wall facing the sea leading upto Nariman Point. Old people, children from all age groups (literally saw a 6 month old kid too), young couples, college students, foreigners, local tourists and from all strata’s of society. Seems like the sea and the sun had the power to bring all kinds of people together. As I looked at those many faces, I wondered what it that brings so many people here is.
I reached the dead end of Nariman Point and parked my self on the palli to get the perfect view of the sun. It seemed so beautiful, the orange twilight in the sky, the birds flying, the calm waves of the sea, it all seemed like a freshly painted canvas, but it wasn’t a painting it was a real creation, a real creation of mother nature. As the sun dipped into the horizon, all the eyes fluttered towards the sun, it seemed like mother nature has come to showcase its magic tricks and within a couple of minutes the magic show was over and the sun was gone leaving the orange reflection which looked so beautiful.
Another thing that captured my attention were the little rockstars of Mumbai, the 10 and 11 year old street smart kids displaying their entrepreneur skills selling everything from channa to chai, I felt so proud of those little boys who knew to make their living by whatever means.
A couple of minutes later, someone blurted, look the sun has gone here and behind the moon has come out. Seems like the next show from Mother Nature had just began. As we walked back, I think I got my answer, its the magic of mother nature that brings us all here.
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Monday, March 06, 2006
A walk through time...
Well I don’t know whether it was the religious sentiments in me or the adventurer in me that evoked me one Saturday early morning to take a walk from Kandivali to Siddhivinayak (Prabhadevi).I got up at 3am, mom was very clear she wouldn’t allow me to get out of the house before 5:00 a.m however we ended up with a compromise and I left at 4:15a.m wrapping my shoes in a plastic bag. As I walked out of the building, it was pitch dark, the sky still waiting for the sun. The only people on the road were sleepy watchmen drooling from their chairs at the gates, milkman on their cycles and a couple of the dairy’s which seemed in full action. As I walked further, with my feet liking the cold warmth of the thick earth, especially when the stones didn’t puncture my feet, I heard the howling of dogs and some of them just passing by me. But the real adventure was yet to begin. As I walked through the narrow lane, I heard the howling of the stray dogs, although I followed the rule my father taught me to always ignore the dogs when they are howling. As I ignored the loud howls of the dogs the tempo increased, more dogs joined in, my mind waggled with the idea of shouting at the dogs or throwing stones, but the worry that these stray dogs may bite me just putting an end to my walkathon plans kept me away from trying my stunts. In a minute I was surrounded by a group of dogs howling at me, at that moment I thought the 14 injections in the stomach was now going to be a reality.Thankfully a rickshaw passed through and distracted the dogs and I managed to come on to the main road.
As I reached the main road that too just at Kandivali I was already feeling a little tired and the culprit were the stones that were pricking my feet. The walk from Kandivali to Andheri was quite boring and long the only things I saw were the chai shops making their first cuppa of tea and than throwing a cuppa of chai on the street maybe as an offering to earth. Temples still were closed and the pujari seemed to be busy doing some work. People sleeping in peace out side the pavement of small shops and just one bakery the eagle bakery which was so lit up that it seemed like a light shop. As I walked further towards jogeshwari, I bumped into a couple of the Jain monks those who travel the world on foot. Actually seeing them walking that too barefoot made me feel a little happy and I tried to increase my speed, but they overtook me in just a matter of few minutes. As I came towards jogeshwari, I saw a glimpse of dawn with the namaz prayers oozing from the mosques and many Muslim men walking in out of the mosque. 3 hours later I reached Andheri it was about 7:00a.m and I looked at the two schools both in a dilapidated condition on the left side before shoppers stop. The children rushing in from their school buses, some playing in the background took me back to my school days. The cake shops at Andheri station Mewans reminded me of the some really good cake and savories I had relished a couple of years ago when I was in college and also a very simple looking hotel near the station which me and some of my college friends had discovered while waiting for our other buddies. I still remember the joy and pleasure each of us felt that day at the end of that meal that evening for having discovered a new place.
As I reached Vile Parle those college days just flashed my memory , the hurry to reach college from the station to make it in time for the 7:00 a.m lecture time as the Prof often closed the door or made the latecomers stand outside. Me and my friends had spent countless hours bitching about this weird rule of our Prof, Cant he understand trains are never on time? The bus is not run by his father in law? Those were the days. But as I walked further I came across the smashan where Papa bid his final adieu to the world. Further down Nanavati hospital brought in mixed feelings, the place where my sister was born, the place where I had the opportunity to spend many nights and days through various medical epilogues of my parents and relatives. There were times that the hospital stays were so common that I had almost memorized the entire menu of the Nanavati canteen which was undoubtedly good. Moving further I cam across the now defunct Venue restaurant which a couple of years ago, I had been a part of its relaunch. Being my first job out of college, I still remember I feared going home post the launch party even at 11p.m. ( that’s crazy coz a year back that’s the time my events would actually begin).
Santacruz brought me memories of the vaishnav temple I used to visit so often. I still remember as a kid who loved to walk and had nothing better in life to do in a summer vacation, I used to walk from my home in Bandra to Santacruz and enjoy singing the kirtans with the kirtanyaji. Khar and the Pupils school reminded me of all those great stories Papa used to tell me about his school, about his teacher troubling him and him taking panga with the teacher, to the great dramas and art exhibitions he would organize.
As I reached Bandra I looked through that narrow lane at the end of which lay my old house. Those pictures of me leaving for school early in the mornings, to those countless tantrums I gave mom on my way home from school to persuade her to buy me something from the local store, the endless times I left my mothers hand to run and cross the road, enjoying the sight of her getting hysterical, to the countless rides on the pony at Bandstand that my grandparents took me too, those visits to almeida park or the playground next door with my bhuji(bua), the frequent visits to the Orthodontist, the unnumbered rounds to supermarket at the Petrol pump, to the countless birthdays my parents celebrated for me at Siddharth hotel just brushed my eyes. Bandra talao brought me memories of those few boating encounters I had when the boating started there, to the maha-artis I attended at the Jari Mari temple opp the Talao.
Walking further I came across the mosque which seemed beautiful with its carving. Walked across Mahim causeway which seemed very dull and deem not like the pretty site it was during the evenings when the sun was about to set it. As I walked through the road that connects causeway to Hinduja hospital I was amazed by the diversity of the street. First you come across the Muslim dargah, followed by a mosque, a Hindu temple and further a Jain derasar, So much of religious diversity in one street unbelievable. Its was over five and half hours now since I had been walking, the sun was out and was bothering me I was also getting very tired. Shivaji Park and a couple of minutes later I was at my destination Siddhivinayak. As I looked through my walk of 6 hours I felt I had walked through my life and revisited all those wonderful memories.
As I reached the main road that too just at Kandivali I was already feeling a little tired and the culprit were the stones that were pricking my feet. The walk from Kandivali to Andheri was quite boring and long the only things I saw were the chai shops making their first cuppa of tea and than throwing a cuppa of chai on the street maybe as an offering to earth. Temples still were closed and the pujari seemed to be busy doing some work. People sleeping in peace out side the pavement of small shops and just one bakery the eagle bakery which was so lit up that it seemed like a light shop. As I walked further towards jogeshwari, I bumped into a couple of the Jain monks those who travel the world on foot. Actually seeing them walking that too barefoot made me feel a little happy and I tried to increase my speed, but they overtook me in just a matter of few minutes. As I came towards jogeshwari, I saw a glimpse of dawn with the namaz prayers oozing from the mosques and many Muslim men walking in out of the mosque. 3 hours later I reached Andheri it was about 7:00a.m and I looked at the two schools both in a dilapidated condition on the left side before shoppers stop. The children rushing in from their school buses, some playing in the background took me back to my school days. The cake shops at Andheri station Mewans reminded me of the some really good cake and savories I had relished a couple of years ago when I was in college and also a very simple looking hotel near the station which me and some of my college friends had discovered while waiting for our other buddies. I still remember the joy and pleasure each of us felt that day at the end of that meal that evening for having discovered a new place.
As I reached Vile Parle those college days just flashed my memory , the hurry to reach college from the station to make it in time for the 7:00 a.m lecture time as the Prof often closed the door or made the latecomers stand outside. Me and my friends had spent countless hours bitching about this weird rule of our Prof, Cant he understand trains are never on time? The bus is not run by his father in law? Those were the days. But as I walked further I came across the smashan where Papa bid his final adieu to the world. Further down Nanavati hospital brought in mixed feelings, the place where my sister was born, the place where I had the opportunity to spend many nights and days through various medical epilogues of my parents and relatives. There were times that the hospital stays were so common that I had almost memorized the entire menu of the Nanavati canteen which was undoubtedly good. Moving further I cam across the now defunct Venue restaurant which a couple of years ago, I had been a part of its relaunch. Being my first job out of college, I still remember I feared going home post the launch party even at 11p.m. ( that’s crazy coz a year back that’s the time my events would actually begin).
Santacruz brought me memories of the vaishnav temple I used to visit so often. I still remember as a kid who loved to walk and had nothing better in life to do in a summer vacation, I used to walk from my home in Bandra to Santacruz and enjoy singing the kirtans with the kirtanyaji. Khar and the Pupils school reminded me of all those great stories Papa used to tell me about his school, about his teacher troubling him and him taking panga with the teacher, to the great dramas and art exhibitions he would organize.
As I reached Bandra I looked through that narrow lane at the end of which lay my old house. Those pictures of me leaving for school early in the mornings, to those countless tantrums I gave mom on my way home from school to persuade her to buy me something from the local store, the endless times I left my mothers hand to run and cross the road, enjoying the sight of her getting hysterical, to the countless rides on the pony at Bandstand that my grandparents took me too, those visits to almeida park or the playground next door with my bhuji(bua), the frequent visits to the Orthodontist, the unnumbered rounds to supermarket at the Petrol pump, to the countless birthdays my parents celebrated for me at Siddharth hotel just brushed my eyes. Bandra talao brought me memories of those few boating encounters I had when the boating started there, to the maha-artis I attended at the Jari Mari temple opp the Talao.
Walking further I came across the mosque which seemed beautiful with its carving. Walked across Mahim causeway which seemed very dull and deem not like the pretty site it was during the evenings when the sun was about to set it. As I walked through the road that connects causeway to Hinduja hospital I was amazed by the diversity of the street. First you come across the Muslim dargah, followed by a mosque, a Hindu temple and further a Jain derasar, So much of religious diversity in one street unbelievable. Its was over five and half hours now since I had been walking, the sun was out and was bothering me I was also getting very tired. Shivaji Park and a couple of minutes later I was at my destination Siddhivinayak. As I looked through my walk of 6 hours I felt I had walked through my life and revisited all those wonderful memories.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Mumbai- A city within a city
Men coming in and out of the small mosques after completing their prayers, Burkhaclad women bargaining with the fruitwala or hungry stomachs gulping down the khicdha or chicken tandoori at the local joints, carts selling fresh fruits. Are you in Mumbai or small Islamic town is a question which will definitely cross your mind when you walk through the streets of Mohamadali road especially during Ramzan when the streets are lgnited up with fancy lights and night is full of gastromic fantasies ranging from the malpua to sherkurma or the kababs
When you drive a couple of miles down Mohamad ali road you come to a very Maharashtrian suburb of Lalbaug. Pav vada stalls, zunkha bhakar kendras, vegetable vendors, navari saree shops, musical instruments shops, Chudagali where you get a range of chivdas and much more is what a walk around this suburb will offer you. But during Ganesh Utsav this place looks like a wedding hall, absolutely lit up with the fanciest lights, hosting the biggest Ganpati of Mumbai. But to get one glimpse of the Lalbaug ka Raja one has to stand in line for hours.
When you go further down towards Matunga (JIP)it’s a totally different world again. You feel you have just entered a city in South India. Tons of shops selling the lungis and traditional kanchiwaram sarees, to the lovely spread of south Indian eateries and the neatly carved temples this place is sure to give you a taste of South India.
Moving to Bandra- The queen of suburbs. To get the real taste of a Portuguese village walk down the small streets of Bandra near Mount Marry, The bazzar road and chapel road with its tiny cottages and its small shops will definitely give you a flavour of a Colonial Portuguese village. You will also come across some very beautiful churches, Mount Mary, St Johns church and sea view from Bandstand is divine. Things to watch out in Bandra are the Bandra fair in September and Xms ofcourse.
Mumbai has so many facets to discover.. This is just the beginning. Watch this space for more on Aamchi Mumbai and do send in your contributions
When you drive a couple of miles down Mohamad ali road you come to a very Maharashtrian suburb of Lalbaug. Pav vada stalls, zunkha bhakar kendras, vegetable vendors, navari saree shops, musical instruments shops, Chudagali where you get a range of chivdas and much more is what a walk around this suburb will offer you. But during Ganesh Utsav this place looks like a wedding hall, absolutely lit up with the fanciest lights, hosting the biggest Ganpati of Mumbai. But to get one glimpse of the Lalbaug ka Raja one has to stand in line for hours.
When you go further down towards Matunga (JIP)it’s a totally different world again. You feel you have just entered a city in South India. Tons of shops selling the lungis and traditional kanchiwaram sarees, to the lovely spread of south Indian eateries and the neatly carved temples this place is sure to give you a taste of South India.
Moving to Bandra- The queen of suburbs. To get the real taste of a Portuguese village walk down the small streets of Bandra near Mount Marry, The bazzar road and chapel road with its tiny cottages and its small shops will definitely give you a flavour of a Colonial Portuguese village. You will also come across some very beautiful churches, Mount Mary, St Johns church and sea view from Bandstand is divine. Things to watch out in Bandra are the Bandra fair in September and Xms ofcourse.
Mumbai has so many facets to discover.. This is just the beginning. Watch this space for more on Aamchi Mumbai and do send in your contributions
Monday, October 24, 2005
Travelogues from the land of uncle Sam
Travelogues from the land of uncle Sam
Trains…
9 July 2005
To begin with how different can train rides be. I guess its a universal principle that trains have to always be late whether its the rajdhani or the amtrack. Well my rendezvous with trains
in the United states begins with waiting at the Ann Arbor station to board my train to Chicago.
Part of the waiting is because am early and partly coz the train is late. Well as i park my self at the station awaiting the train i want some coffee, i walk around and only find the sloppy vending machines this is where i miss the chai walas and the fruit walas who are present even in the remotest railway stations in India. The train ride reminds me of the one i had taken a couple of months ago from Ernakulam to Cochin( where i actually boarded a wrong train but thats a different story)
Its the same thing getting in the train looking for a seat for your self, well the difference is in India if i found the seat and wanted to reserve and have it to my self i would just have to bribe the ticket collector and get a reserved ticket. But over hear I get a seat easily coz i guess very few ppl travel in long distance train.
On board i find a seat easily but once i am seated i am reminded of the chaos, the jabbering mouths and curious eyes which engulf you if your a single on board on a train in India.
The view outside is similar to the train rides in India, forests, country houses but you cant see the children on the streets playing gulidanda and waving out to you.
When I get hungryi i miss the chai wala and the coldrink wala who come a zillion times on the trains in India enticing you to buy something or the other. Well i walk two coaches ahead to the cafe where there is already a que of people lined up. I look at the menu obviously very few options for vegetarians but i get some cereal and milk for myself. Getting off the train was similar to getting off at Bombay central station but bombay central station slightly more brighter
All in all whether its the rajdhani, the flying rani or the amtrack train rides are fun, they have some magic in them. I just completly enjoy the trains( Longdistance, local trains in Mumbai- bad idea) .
So are u upto getting on the train for your next trip
Trains…
9 July 2005
To begin with how different can train rides be. I guess its a universal principle that trains have to always be late whether its the rajdhani or the amtrack. Well my rendezvous with trains
in the United states begins with waiting at the Ann Arbor station to board my train to Chicago.
Part of the waiting is because am early and partly coz the train is late. Well as i park my self at the station awaiting the train i want some coffee, i walk around and only find the sloppy vending machines this is where i miss the chai walas and the fruit walas who are present even in the remotest railway stations in India. The train ride reminds me of the one i had taken a couple of months ago from Ernakulam to Cochin( where i actually boarded a wrong train but thats a different story)
Its the same thing getting in the train looking for a seat for your self, well the difference is in India if i found the seat and wanted to reserve and have it to my self i would just have to bribe the ticket collector and get a reserved ticket. But over hear I get a seat easily coz i guess very few ppl travel in long distance train.
On board i find a seat easily but once i am seated i am reminded of the chaos, the jabbering mouths and curious eyes which engulf you if your a single on board on a train in India.
The view outside is similar to the train rides in India, forests, country houses but you cant see the children on the streets playing gulidanda and waving out to you.
When I get hungryi i miss the chai wala and the coldrink wala who come a zillion times on the trains in India enticing you to buy something or the other. Well i walk two coaches ahead to the cafe where there is already a que of people lined up. I look at the menu obviously very few options for vegetarians but i get some cereal and milk for myself. Getting off the train was similar to getting off at Bombay central station but bombay central station slightly more brighter
All in all whether its the rajdhani, the flying rani or the amtrack train rides are fun, they have some magic in them. I just completly enjoy the trains( Longdistance, local trains in Mumbai- bad idea) .
So are u upto getting on the train for your next trip
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
The theliwalas - Mumbai`s Little Rockstars
The theliwalas - Mumbai`s Little Rockstars
Yesterday i went vegetable shopping with my cousin to the shakgali ( veg market)in Grant road. Yes amidst normal chaos and hustle bustle of vegetable vendors added to the half jammed road due to the ganesh pandal i was stopped a couple of times by these 8- 9 year old boys asking me "' didi theli uthaiya" and this was not once but a couple of times, some of boys were even in the municpal school uniform. A further enquiry later i found out about this smart and hardworking boys unusual profession. They basically carry the heavy veg bags of the auntys, grannies whoever are shopping there and sometimes even carry it for them till their residences all for a meagre Rs 10- 15. I am so proud of these little boys they sure know how to earn their pocket money. Salaam Mumbai
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yesterday i went vegetable shopping with my cousin to the shakgali ( veg market)in Grant road. Yes amidst normal chaos and hustle bustle of vegetable vendors added to the half jammed road due to the ganesh pandal i was stopped a couple of times by these 8- 9 year old boys asking me "' didi theli uthaiya" and this was not once but a couple of times, some of boys were even in the municpal school uniform. A further enquiry later i found out about this smart and hardworking boys unusual profession. They basically carry the heavy veg bags of the auntys, grannies whoever are shopping there and sometimes even carry it for them till their residences all for a meagre Rs 10- 15. I am so proud of these little boys they sure know how to earn their pocket money. Salaam Mumbai
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dandiya Dhamaka
Navratri, is one festival which is sure to ensure, you to get u up on your feet. There has to be something in this amazing festivals, which everyone waits for. I went for one of the biggest and popular dandiya- Sankalp.0 The true Dandiya queen- Falguni Pathak`s voice definately has the power to get one`s foot tapping. As i stood, there reflecting at the thousands of people, present there, some watching just enjoying the music, some trying their first hand on the garba and some simply dancing to kill.
There has to be something about this festival that drives people from all communities to come and enjoy the thrills of navratri. Is it all about advertising and the hype? Is it about particpating in ones festival ? A youngsters excuse to go to a parents authorised disc or is it simply the festive spirit. I still remember, as a kid i always looked forward to navratri, which happend in our buildings. There wernt loudspeakers, but a simple dhol wala and people would sing.
I was never to good at the dandiya or garba, so i dont know whether it was the drive to learn it or was my fathers singing at these navratris that drived me to not miss even a single day of the navratri in the building. As time passed by the small celebrations in our buildings came to an end and it went on to the big disco dandiyas that happened, thus me taking seat in front of my television screen and flipping channels to watch the diffrent dandiya`s. But what i really love about navratri, is that brings out the folk culture of gujrat, Infact some day i would like to go and watch the navratri in ahmedabad or baroda. i have heard, the celebrations there have still kept the traditional elements intactThe Garba Rass for the year is over, but if you still want to give your hands a shot with garba and dandiya- Sharadpunam should be a day to look outcheersDD
There has to be something about this festival that drives people from all communities to come and enjoy the thrills of navratri. Is it all about advertising and the hype? Is it about particpating in ones festival ? A youngsters excuse to go to a parents authorised disc or is it simply the festive spirit. I still remember, as a kid i always looked forward to navratri, which happend in our buildings. There wernt loudspeakers, but a simple dhol wala and people would sing.
I was never to good at the dandiya or garba, so i dont know whether it was the drive to learn it or was my fathers singing at these navratris that drived me to not miss even a single day of the navratri in the building. As time passed by the small celebrations in our buildings came to an end and it went on to the big disco dandiyas that happened, thus me taking seat in front of my television screen and flipping channels to watch the diffrent dandiya`s. But what i really love about navratri, is that brings out the folk culture of gujrat, Infact some day i would like to go and watch the navratri in ahmedabad or baroda. i have heard, the celebrations there have still kept the traditional elements intactThe Garba Rass for the year is over, but if you still want to give your hands a shot with garba and dandiya- Sharadpunam should be a day to look outcheersDD
The Fake Business
The Fake Business
In todays world one can possibly buy any fake item, whether it’s an Armani suit, a Lui Vuitong bag, a Mont blanc pen. Fakes are popular worldwide. It’s a great tool for some to satisfy their desire for the best brands at not even half its original price. I remember I was walking down fifth avenue in Manhattan a couple of months ago, the street which houses the best of the brands and it was ironical to see a road side bags vender selling a fake Loui Vuitong bag just outside the Loui Vuitong showroom. Just to tickle my sense of pricing I asked the vendor on the street the cost of a particular Lui Vuitong bag, 45$, if u want ill negotiate was his answer, then I walked in to the store and enquired about the originals price which was a booming 750 $
Coming back to the topic of fakes, this question has been crossing my mind for quite some time. When we can have Fakes available in most of the luxurious products why can’t one find a fake car. Imagine a fake Mercedes Benz
I bounced this question to some of my friends and collegeous and came across some interesting answers
A car is one of the most complex propositions to construct, thus probably the money that’s goes in manufacturing is single fake car would be must higher than the actual cost at it is a single unit
A car is an expensive item, does no one really wants to take the risk of building something which may not sell
Any other reasons ? write in to add to the list
Cheer s
DD
In todays world one can possibly buy any fake item, whether it’s an Armani suit, a Lui Vuitong bag, a Mont blanc pen. Fakes are popular worldwide. It’s a great tool for some to satisfy their desire for the best brands at not even half its original price. I remember I was walking down fifth avenue in Manhattan a couple of months ago, the street which houses the best of the brands and it was ironical to see a road side bags vender selling a fake Loui Vuitong bag just outside the Loui Vuitong showroom. Just to tickle my sense of pricing I asked the vendor on the street the cost of a particular Lui Vuitong bag, 45$, if u want ill negotiate was his answer, then I walked in to the store and enquired about the originals price which was a booming 750 $
Coming back to the topic of fakes, this question has been crossing my mind for quite some time. When we can have Fakes available in most of the luxurious products why can’t one find a fake car. Imagine a fake Mercedes Benz
I bounced this question to some of my friends and collegeous and came across some interesting answers
A car is one of the most complex propositions to construct, thus probably the money that’s goes in manufacturing is single fake car would be must higher than the actual cost at it is a single unit
A car is an expensive item, does no one really wants to take the risk of building something which may not sell
Any other reasons ? write in to add to the list
Cheer s
DD
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