jayantiblogshere

‘ Chaha ’ at an Amruttulya  Tulshi baug, in Pune has been a Waada (neighbourhood) with a recorded history and inhabited since the 1700’s if not earlier. In the earlier centuries it was far from the overcrowded, chaotic, busy market place that it is today.   Naro Appaji Khire Tulshibaugwale (1700-1775), the Subedar of Pune during the Peshwa rule built an ornately sculpted Ram temple in his sprawling estate which was completed in 1795, in this neighbourhood which would later be known as Tulshibaug.  Over the next 200 years civilization would thrive  nurturing trade, arts and culture in what would later be ascribed as the Puneri culture, from the times of the Peshwas.  In those times the neighbouring metropolis of Mumbai was still an amalgamation of islands reclaimed from the sea and its dockyard was yet to become the thriving trade center that it would become in the following century. It would take a couple of days via horse drawn carts to traverse the ...

BANANA BUNS IN UDUPI It is about 1.30 in the afternoon and the town of Kollur is in a siesta.   A soothing silence and peace has engulfed this little town. Dark clouds that threaten a downpour anytime pass by peacefully as though they too are on an afternoon siesta. The temple around which the entire economy of this little town in built is closed until evening. The shopkeepers too are on a siesta.  As you walk up to the Kollur bus station and sit inside the only bus that leaves for all places outside of kollur, including Udupi, you realize the driver is also having a siesta on the long front seat. The conductor is the only man on duty and he is out smoking a cigarette.  He is happy for the lone passenger to board his bus and quickly goes out to solicit more of them. Unfortunately, he does not find any. It is a lovely window seat from where you get to view the lush green mountains and feel the slight nip in the moist air of Kollur.    As t...

It is that time when the citizen is the king.   When democracy comes alive and the mighty and powerful come down kneeling to ask to be voted to power. Thanks to Election commission (and perhaps demonetization) , this year’s run-up to the elections is devoid of the massive fanfare that it used to be in the yesteryears. Absence of those massive cut outs,   mid night political rallies, cash and spirits flowing like water in exchange of promised votes gives us some hope that sanity will prevail in this democracy atleast in the future. Perhaps I am   being naïve...   Perhaps there is a lot going on behind the screens or underground.  Perhaps our politicians have evolved and have devised other jugaadu ways to hood wink the election commission… But the change on the ground is visible.     More than the rallying from the political parties, it is the rally from the election commission and the citizens urging everyone to go and cast thei...

The grey overcast sky from the early morning has given way and with the advent of sunshine, the day looks bright and clear.   It is humid but not hot at this time of the day. When on a road trip it is best to go with your instinct and eat at places that you have never heard of before.   Aboard the NH49, is this mid-sized bill board hanging out by the road side which says ‘MDM … stew and palappam Rs. 5.’    As you slow down, you see a small shop on the opposite side of the road that is trying hard to cater to a cross section of customers by advertising chinees (sic), north Indian, South Indian snacks.     However, at that time in the morning, the man behind the oven is busy preparing the dough for the Malabar parotta (as different as chalk and cheese in genre, species and characteristics from the north Indian understanding of paratha). All they have available at that time of the day is Appam and stew unless you are prepared to wait fo...

Aboard the train from Mumbai to Pune as the skyscrapers of the megapolis fade away and a more soothing weather permeates around you, you know you are approaching Karjat station.    The ascent to the hill stations of Lonavala, khandala and Matheran start from here.   If it is the monsoons, the misty clouds would definitely float over the Karjat station. Among long distance train goers, it has been a long-standing tradition to taste the Vada pao at karjat station irrespective of what has been packed into your lunch boxes for the long train journey. There is a quaint old-world charm about the karjat station especially when you relive those memories as you bite into a soft and spicy Karjat Vada pao.   Vada pao – is India’s rather Maharashtra’s answer to Americas Burger. However, to the Indian taste buds a burger and a Vada Pao are poles apart. At least the McDonald’s burger or the one from Burger king.   Attempts have been made to 'McDonaldize' ...