Saw this hilarious poster tacked to a wall on the street in Dadar, while I was walking to dinner at the (admittedly disappointing Pubjabi restaurant Pritam Da Dhaba).

“According to him there are two class first class and no class. We have to develop the first.”

Clever chap, that James Bond. Oh wait — I mean Mr. Rajesh D. Bhujle, language consultant to the Rotary Club.

All I can say is Bhujle, Rajesh Bhujle

Image by : Robbie.

February comes and Mumbai and the pedestrian plaza around South Mumbai’s lively historic art district ‘Kala Ghoda’ comes alive to the tune of the Kala Ghoda Art Festival. The setting is marvellous, the crescent shaped plaza is nestled around an array of heritage buildings such as Elephantine College, the David Sassoon Library and the Watson Hotel.

The Festival promises rich events in Arts, Literature, Music & Theatre – Seminars, Workshops and more. This years an entire host of events including a vintage car rally also expect performances from famed percussionist Shivamani. History buffs should also look out for the special heritage walks organised as part of the festivities. Also scheduled are many book readings including a “TETE A TETE WITH SHANTARAM” a freewheeling chat with author of the best selling book Shantaram, Gregory David Roberts this time without the cumbersome presense of Dolly Thakore.

The festival kicks off on the 4th February and continues up to the 11th February.

But what is really exciting is that the Kala Ghoda Association is blogging the event. The blog promises to bring the festival live to you with a mix of previews and impressions, reviews and reports, text and photographs, maybe even some audio and video. JUST LIKE LAST YEAR.

Here is all you need

The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival [A schedule]

and

The Kala Ghoda Gazette. [The Blog]

Count – A Gold Chain, A Gold Watch, AGold Bracelet, 2 Gold Rings and an OK hand of cards. That’s what you call Bombay Bling talk about wearing your savings.

A recognisable name spots some revellers offering “Free Hugs” to commuters at Churchgate station.I don’t know if they found any taker but I’m sure they raised some eyes. These guy are probably inspired by this video on youtube. The strange effect of social media on the lives of Mumbaikers.

PHOTO CREDIT : A Recognisable Name.

phukata (marathi) = free, gratis etc.

The Gorment Cartographer chronicles one my favorite Mumbai streets foods the “Breach Candy Grilled sandwich” (a.k.a the Grilled Veggie Sandwich).

Over to her,

This is the sandwich I always talk about. Vegetarian sandwiches in the US do not compare to this. It’s so buttery and crispy and filling (it’s a struggle to finish one). In past years, the sandwich has definitely been more tasty than when I had it last week (two days after I landed)… I think they changed the chutney making man

[Read More]

I would definitely agree the Bombaiya grilled sandwich takes the bite for a great and tasty vegetarian sandwich – nothing compares.

According to PTI

Six persons, including two children, were killed and eight others injured when they were run over by a car on Carter Road in Bandra, Mumbai, in the wee hours today.

The incident happened around 3:45 am, the police said, adding that the victims, construction workers from Tamil Nadu, were sleeping on the pavement when a Toyota Corolla mowed them over.

“Three youths have been arrested, of which two, including the driver, tested positive for alcohol,” Additional Commissioner of Police (West region) Bipin Bihari said. The accused were returning from a private party, he added.

A case has been registered against Aliston Pereira, (21) who was driving the car, Calvin (18) and Jacob, all residents of Bandra, at Khar police station.

A five-year-old boy and a seven-year-old girl, three women and a man were among the dead, while six men and two women were injured, the police said, adding that the injured were admitted to Bhabha Hospital in Bandra.

I feel stronger about this story than I usually would. A few days ago I happened to walk pass the encampments where these migrant workers from Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu lived. I took this picture of this young girl calling out to her kid brother. I cant help feeling haunted by the fact that the girl in the picture and her brother could possibly be dead. I only hope and pray that they are not among the casualties.

The Minara Masjid twinkles a glorious light green under a cloud of tiny fairy lights as chaos entralls the streets below. In what now has become an annual Ramzan treat for me I decided to haunt the Khao Galli at Mohammed Ali and yes ofcourse savour every lastbit of food I could find.

[It's a sweet Ramzan]

Here’s a snippet from my last years visit

The red hot charcoal solder as the smoke rises through the tenderised chicken and kebabs into the air, wafting into my nostrils, air such divine. It’s a frenzied scene as full pitched bazaar flows by with smiles and sighs under the green glow of the well adourned mosque and the orange glow from the alleviating traffic behind me. I glance at my wrist watch and it blinks backs 00:00 am at me. I frown in disbelief think out aloud, “It can’t be tomorrow already, the city is alive and awake” My words at any other time would have been audible but today they seem to have been drowned by the life around me.

“Aao Aao Sahb, Mensahb .. Humare Badiya Khana Khao”, “{Come one and all try out our delecious fare} shouted the man next to me in his crisp white kurta and colourful skull cap. Seeing that I was paying him some eye contact he diverted his sales touts to my directions.
People think Indian Bazaars are haphazard, I disagree each market has a finely planned out anatomy. Just like when you’re in a department store and you find the Womens section on the first floor, childrens on the second, and mens wear on the third or sometimes on the fourth depending on where they want to put the lifestyles stuff. In the same way the midnight bazaar has womens shoes, everything from skilettos to juttis on the outer rim. There is also other stuff hair-bands, clothes, costume jewellery etc etc but since I’m not the target consumer I ignore. I by pass the shoes with out second look and move on directly to the good stuff, the food. Back to the anatomy we have the dazzling variety of methais [sweets] and food of all shapes and sizes on the left. Food Court Style yet outdoor very cool.

I was there for the sweets and Suleman Usman Bakery was the place to enjoy them. Phirnis, Maalpuas yum. I lapped down a rich and creamy kesar Phirni till my plastic spoon scrapped the bottom of the terrecota cup it was served in. The Maalpaus pure heaven served hot with their crispy brown honey dipped sweet exterior and their custard creamy interior melting in you mouth as your palate just wanted more. Sensory overload.

[Bangles]

My this showing at Mohammed Ali Road was pretty much like last it was just the quantity of food intake was doubled. The list included Maalpaus and Phirni at Suleman Usman (obviously), Pathar Ghosh (hyderabadi dish where pieces of meat at cooked on a preheated slab of granite absolutely delicious), Tongue Soup at Bademian, a generous intake of sugary faloodas, some sheikh kebabs and finished off with some excellent dudhi ka halwa.

[Susanna and Paul trying out their tongue soup at Bademian

It was good I can tell you that.]

Excuse me I have a lot of digesting to do and before I forget Eid Mubarak

In the historic backstreets of Flora fountain, where the meandering street meets pale old mildew covered buildings you’ll find Yazdani Bakery & Restaurant. The aroma of freshly baked bread fills the street and its hard not to tip your head slowly backwards and follow the smell till you seat yourself on a creaky Irani chair by a spotlessly clean yet chai stained marble top table in the single storied bakery. I predict you will then raise your hand and unconsciously order a chai and probably a rich and varied composition of the following things: a well buttered bun maska or some bread pudding or a golden sponge cake or some “fiery ginger biscuits” or some Oat & Raisin cookies all baked in a wood fired oven I might add. I ordered the apple pie and followed that up with some bun maska and lots of chai. Yazdani is probably the oldest Irani bakery in Bombay and its claim to fame is the delectability of its selection of breads and Pavs. Made from an age old Irani recipe, their kadak pavs live up to their fame; their velvety interiors are soft with a hard crusty armor. Baked in fluted molds, they have the look of small, beautifully formed sandcastles.