The Mumbai I knew

Dear Kamalji,

You have written about a place that has my heart captured! Of course, because that is the place I grew-up in age and hopefully in wisdom too, it is very dear to me! This is the place that shaped my future; this is the place where I dreamt all those dreams that I see getting fulfilled today. I owe a lot to that place named Mumbai..

Of course, there are tons of things that I miss from my life there. Just like you, vada-paav and a glass of sugar cane juice remains my favorite delicacy. That too from the roadside! Of course, who can forget the Bombay sandwich? That was my snack for years when I worked at Tardeo. I miss all the flavors of the drink "Energy". Does it still exist? The sugar can juice stand close to the famous Shri Krishna vada-paav was a must visit after the spicy vada-paav. I miss the kadak (hard) boondi laddoos that were sold in packs of 50, 100 etc near Dadar station. I miss the Mumbai skyline as seen from Nariman point, the packed local trains, the BEST buses, the shopping at Fashion street and Khaadi bhandaar. I think I had collected all colors of their kurtas! Linking road and Elko market. Shopping at Chembur station. Fun at Juhu beach. Worli sea face and Siddhivinayak.

But I think I mostly miss that place so much because the days I spent there were wonderful. Of course, living with parents and not being married, I cannot claim to say that I had a tough life then, but surely there were other challenges then - of working hard to rise above the rat race, of finding a good job etc. But in spite of those challenges we enjoyed a lot. We made sure we had fun in whatever we had. We created opportunities to have fun. Like one day my best friend and me just took off from work and totally goofed off. We watched a movie; we ate out, took a camel ride on Juhu beach in the blazing sun and ended up with a upset stomach at the end of the day! But we had a blast. It was more thrilling because we had goofed off from work! I think such things really add so much flavor to life. Well, let me clarify that I am not preaching goofing off from work here! . What I mean is that sometimes doing something different from the routine gives you that extra boost needed to put the fire back in you. I did a lot of this when I was in Mumbai and I think that's why that place has such a special place in my heart. That's why my heart warms up when I think of Mumbai because I automatically get transported back to those wonderful carefree days of life.

Since I no longer stay in Mumbai, I try to create my own little Mumbai where I live. I goof off and take the kids along with me too! Twice a year (or more if I can) I take a day off from work unplanned and for no particular reason. The only reason is I just felt like taking a day off! I even make my home made version of Bombay sandwich and go to a park, or just sit around on the deck or go for a long walk on a scenic route, call a friend and tell her that I am dropping in for tea etc. I just want to feel like I am not always bound by a certain routine and a certain schedule. To me, that comes as close as visiting my favorite Mumbai. Even if not for long, but at least for that day I feel like I am in Mumbai in my spirits.

Mals, I am sad to hear that sleek Volvos are replacing the traditional BEST buses .

Kamalji, as always I have rambled a lot. A lot of it is probably tangential to the actual topic! Your blogs always urge me to write longer, it is not my fault but it is the fault of your blogs!

Anyway, time to go to bed and I sure will be dreaming of my good 'ol Mumbai tonight.. Thanks to you for such a heart-warming blog. I will be happy even in my sleep tonight!

SS

Kamalji,

It was nice to read about Mumbai...
Though I haven't stayed there, I have been on three short trips....once during the time monsoon set....So have seen the rains there also.Have travelled there in bus, train and the taxis...Loved the city..

The people there always seem to be on their toes..

I liked walking in the Fort area very much..
The pav bhajis and yes, the street corners water melons......
It was good to know so much about the city through your posts and others FB..

Bye

hello kamalji,

thanks for taking us to the mumbai of seventies and to mals for updating us with the new mumbai...me too JUST LOVE that place...
i feel a mumbaikar learns to survive in any part of the world...how i missed my railway trains when we shifted after i spent 25 years of my life in mumbai..whenever i used to read about the rains halting the harbor line trains used to get nostalgic as me and my "TRAIN FRIENDS" used to enjoy even jumping out of the train and walking.....
then of course missing the vada paavs,,bhelpuris,chats,sandwiches in vt and nariman point(the best i have had in the whole world,believe me as i am a vegetarian i have tried it in every place we have visited but nothing even remotely satisfying your hunger like that 2 rupees sandwich)
I miss shopping in chembur,dadar ,gandhi market and linking road......missing the ganpathi and janmashtami celebrations..the temples sidhivinayak and mahalakshmi ,worli sea face and oh so many places that dh and I discovered together in our 6 months of courting...the list is endless...thank u kamalji for making me take a nostalgic trip down memory lane....even now a strange excitement fills me everytime i visit my mumbai.....

Mindi

Originally Posted by malspie

Kamalji,

Mumbai has changed with concrete roads, swanky bus-stops, theatres are demolished for multiplexes, our very own BEST bus is being slowly being replaced by volvo buses with more seating capacity and lower stairs for senior citizens to board in, there are many BEST buses running with full AC, you will find black and yellow cabbies along with smart cool cabs (mostly Tata Indica ), more of dumpers, trailers on the roads, trendy bikes, motorist racing with full speed trying to avoid our "Mamu", the brown colour of the trains is replaced by blue, seats are getting more trendier, new advanced locomotive is introduced, speed of train has increased with the demolition of huts on the line of rail tracks, decent "Sulabh Sauchalaya" almost everywhere ( do not ask me how clean it is! I am yet to use them!), Pizza Huts, Mac Donalds, delicious Rajasthani chutney with hot samosas is replaced by swanky snack corners selling more of chaats and vadas, batata vadas with lasoon chutni, bhajiyas, pohe, sheera, sabudana wada are all still there across the counter, lotterry ticket vendors, huge shopping malls selling from pencil to Invertors and other Electrical Gadgets, internet ticket bookings to watch your favourite movies and more.

Shivaji Park is still fresh with couples hiding behind the swimming pool walls from the torch of the Hawaldar, Worli Sea face still has the bfs, gfs and various combos hitting it well, Nariman Point shore has the glamour and romance to its credit, the footpath is laid well so that joggers can jog with peace, (we miss the bhel walas and makai wallas as they are banned from selling them on the street), Juhu beach is much cleaner, Most of the roads have become One-Way so we have to be careful while driving, the mad rush at all times in the train, the fear of boarding from Kalyan, Dombivli, Thane, Ghatkopar, Kurla, Dadar, CST (VT previously) is still on as we do not get even a toe inch place to board the train, the same fear is at Churchgate to Virar, Western line is over crowded although the frequency is better than the Central line, Harbour line is in the same dilemma, no fast trains.
Railways:
Malad and Goregaon have become junctions.
Train service is extended from CST to Vashi to Panvel to Khopoli.
New route from Thane to Vashi is running with full zeal work to extend it to Panvel is on. so that people who travel via Konkan Railway can sigh relief. You have to see it to believe it, each station from Thane to Belapur is unique and has its own style. Its trendy and most of the shootings take place in Jui Nagar Station and Kopar Khairane Railway Station. Remember, the movie Life in a Metro. It has been shot at Kopar Khairane Railway station. We privileged always have a dekho of our top heroes and heorines. I could not recongnize Shilpa Shetty, she was looking so ordinary, like a thin ladder with all the make up.

Mumbai rocks, Kamalji, once a Mumbaikar always a Mumbaikar.

Hope you did not get bored reading my FB.

Dear Mals,

I suppose every body who has stayed in Mumbai can never forget it.Neither can I, though I wrote it in a fun form, but I love Mumbai still.

Trains are the fastest to reach any area and cheap, the taxis and buses very well organized, its just the traffic I get fed up.Jaipur is a small town so we reach any place fast.

And the food on the roads of Mumbai is so good even today, the sandwitches, vada pao’s , the sugarcane juice at 2/- a glass I now had in Mumbai and no one believes me it can be so cheap,plentiful of fishes and prawns, to suit every person;s budget and pocket.

As u rightly said, one a Mumbaikar, always a Mumbaikar.

Thanks and loved yr comments.Regards.kamal

Originally Posted by sundarusha

Dear Kamalji,

I too have fond memories of Mumbai, having grown up there and lived till my marriage.
The trains, shopping in Dadar, VT station , Chembur , Mahalaxmi temple and the never ending rains---all have etched loving memories in my heart.

I second Mal's quote--Once a Mumbaikar, always a Mumbaikar.
Although it has become very crowded, come to think of it, which city has not,
I like the look and feel of Vashi, of all the suburbs we had lived, because of its quaint look.

Having been abroad for two decades, I still find a little excitement when I visit Mumbai. even it is for just a few days!

Dear Usha,

Even I love it when I go to Mumbai, just too good to be true.Regards.kamal

Originally Posted by soaringspirit

Dear Kamalji,

You have written about a place that has my heart captured! Of course, because that is the place I grew-up in age and hopefully in wisdom too, it is very dear to me! This is the place that shaped my future; this is the place where I dreamt all those dreams that I see getting fulfilled today. I owe a lot to that place named Mumbai..



Of course, there are tons of things that I miss from my life there. Just like you, vada-paav and a glass of sugar cane juice remains my favorite delicacy. That too from the roadside! Of course, who can forget the Bombay sandwich? That was my snack for years when I worked at Tardeo. I miss all the flavors of the drink "Energy". Does it still exist? The sugar can juice stand close to the famous Shri Krishna vada-paav was a must visit after the spicy vada-paav. I miss the kadak (hard) boondi laddoos that were sold in packs of 50, 100 etc near Dadar station. I miss the Mumbai skyline as seen from Nariman point, the packed local trains, the BEST buses, the shopping at Fashion street and Khaadi bhandaar. I think I had collected all colors of their kurtas! Linking road and Elko market. Shopping at Chembur station. Fun at Juhu beach. Worli sea face and Siddhivinayak.



But I think I mostly miss that place so much because the days I spent there were wonderful. Of course, living with parents and not being married, I cannot claim to say that I had a tough life then, but surely there were other challenges then - of working hard to rise above the rat race, of finding a good job etc. But in spite of those challenges we enjoyed a lot. We made sure we had fun in whatever we had. We created opportunities to have fun. Like one day my best friend and me just took off from work and totally goofed off. We watched a movie; we ate out, took a camel ride on Juhu beach in the blazing sun and ended up with a upset stomach at the end of the day! But we had a blast. It was more thrilling because we had goofed off from work! I think such things really add so much flavor to life. Well, let me clarify that I am not preaching goofing off from work here! . What I mean is that sometimes doing something different from the routine gives you that extra boost needed to put the fire back in you. I did a lot of this when I was in Mumbai and I think that's why that place has such a special place in my heart. That's why my heart warms up when I think of Mumbai because I automatically get transported back to those wonderful carefree days of life.

Since I no longer stay in Mumbai, I try to create my own little Mumbai where I live. I goof off and take the kids along with me too! Twice a year (or more if I can) I take a day off from work unplanned and for no particular reason. The only reason is I just felt like taking a day off! I even make my home made version of Bombay sandwich and go to a park, or just sit around on the deck or go for a long walk on a scenic route, call a friend and tell her that I am dropping in for tea etc. I just want to feel like I am not always bound by a certain routine and a certain schedule. To me, that comes as close as visiting my favorite Mumbai. Even if not for long, but at least for that day I feel like I am in Mumbai in my spirits.

Mals, I am sad to hear that sleek Volvos are replacing the traditional BEST buses .

Kamalji, as always I have rambled a lot. A lot of it is probably tangential to the actual topic! Your blogs always urge me to write longer, it is not my fault but it is the fault of your blogs!

Anyway, time to go to bed and I sure will be dreaming of my good 'ol Mumbai tonight.. Thanks to you for such a heart-warming blog. I will be happy even in my sleep tonight!

SS

Dear SS,


So u miss Mumbai a lot SS ! Yes who can forget the Vada Pao’s, and the Energy drink.Yes Energy is still available.Do u know I used to drink Energy for 30 paise, in the early 70’s at Worli Sea Face Milk Diary Booth.They used to have 2 or 3 flavours, one being pista, and one Rose.And drinking Energy after having hot Vada Pao’s, that’s heaven for me.


Yes even I have stayed at Chembur, the Natraj Cinema, god knows if it is still there, balcony at 1.60, 25 paise coca Cola, and 25 paise A-1 Wafers, so 3 bucks and we were kings really.And me too unmarried and not a care in the world.

So u go off to bed SS, and tell yr grandkids stories of Mumbai when it was Bombay.HAHA.Regards.kamal

Originally Posted by soaringspirit

Dear Kamalji,

You have written about a place that has my heart captured! Of course, because that is the place I grew-up in age and hopefully in wisdom too, it is very dear to me! This is the place that shaped my future; this is the place where I dreamt all those dreams that I see getting fulfilled today. I owe a lot to that place named Mumbai..

Of course, there are tons of things that I miss from my life there. Just like you, vada-paav and a glass of sugar cane juice remains my favorite delicacy. That too from the roadside! Of course, who can forget the Bombay sandwich? That was my snack for years when I worked at Tardeo. I miss all the flavors of the drink "Energy". Does it still exist? The sugar can juice stand close to the famous Shri Krishna vada-paav was a must visit after the spicy vada-paav. I miss the kadak (hard) boondi laddoos that were sold in packs of 50, 100 etc near Dadar station. I miss the Mumbai skyline as seen from Nariman point, the packed local trains, the BEST buses, the shopping at Fashion street and Khaadi bhandaar. I think I had collected all colors of their kurtas! Linking road and Elko market. Shopping at Chembur station. Fun at Juhu beach. Worli sea face and Siddhivinayak.

But I think I mostly miss that place so much because the days I spent there were wonderful. Of course, living with parents and not being married, I cannot claim to say that I had a tough life then, but surely there were other challenges then - of working hard to rise above the rat race, of finding a good job etc. But in spite of those challenges we enjoyed a lot. We made sure we had fun in whatever we had. We created opportunities to have fun. Like one day my best friend and me just took off from work and totally goofed off. We watched a movie; we ate out, took a camel ride on Juhu beach in the blazing sun and ended up with a upset stomach at the end of the day! But we had a blast. It was more thrilling because we had goofed off from work! I think such things really add so much flavor to life. Well, let me clarify that I am not preaching goofing off from work here! . What I mean is that sometimes doing something different from the routine gives you that extra boost needed to put the fire back in you. I did a lot of this when I was in Mumbai and I think that's why that place has such a special place in my heart. That's why my heart warms up when I think of Mumbai because I automatically get transported back to those wonderful carefree days of life.

Since I no longer stay in Mumbai, I try to create my own little Mumbai where I live. I goof off and take the kids along with me too! Twice a year (or more if I can) I take a day off from work unplanned and for no particular reason. The only reason is I just felt like taking a day off! I even make my home made version of Bombay sandwich and go to a park, or just sit around on the deck or go for a long walk on a scenic route, call a friend and tell her that I am dropping in for tea etc. I just want to feel like I am not always bound by a certain routine and a certain schedule. To me, that comes as close as visiting my favorite Mumbai. Even if not for long, but at least for that day I feel like I am in Mumbai in my spirits.

Mals, I am sad to hear that sleek Volvos are replacing the traditional BEST buses .

Kamalji, as always I have rambled a lot. A lot of it is probably tangential to the actual topic! Your blogs always urge me to write longer, it is not my fault but it is the fault of your blogs!

Anyway, time to go to bed and I sure will be dreaming of my good 'ol Mumbai tonight.. Thanks to you for such a heart-warming blog. I will be happy even in my sleep tonight!

SS

Dear SS,


So u miss Mumbai a lot SS ! Yes who can forget the Vada Pao’s, and the Energy drink.Yes Energy is still available.Do u know I used to drink Energy for 30 paise, in the early 70’s at Worli Sea Face Milk Diary Booth.They used to have 2 or 3 flavours, one being pista, and one Rose.And drinking Energy after having hot Vada Pao’s, that’s heaven for me.


Yes even I have stayed at Chembur, the Natraj Cinema, god knows if it is still there, balcony at 1.60, 25 paise coca Cola, and 25 paise A-1 Wafers, so 3 bucks and we were kings really.And me too unmarried and not a care in the world.

So u go off to bed SS, and tell yr grandkids stories of Mumbai when it was Bombay.HAHA.Regards.kamal

Dear Kamalji,

It is nice to know that you were a Mumbaikar. I am also living in Mumbai for the last 35 years or more and as malspie madam has listed Mumbai has undergone lots of changes and with the proposed underground metro rail comes it will be equal to any other city in the world. Sometime back I read a report that Mumbai is the rudest city in the world. I was pained to read that. Having lived and still living I can say that Mumbai people may appear rude but have hearts of gold. Two instances I can quote to prove that. One was immediately after the serial bomb blasts in 1992. Hundreds of people lined outside hospitals like Sion Hospital to donate their blood for the victims. This did not happen in London after the undergroung bomb blasts in 2005. The second instance was on the Terrible Tuesday in July 2005. When the whole of Mumbai was under floods people helped each other and there was no thefts or other crimes. Contrast to this is the post-katrina scene in U.S when vandals looted the properties. I always feel proud to be a Mumbaikar and say 'Salaam Mumbai'.

Regards,

Geetha Iyer

Dear Kamal
You have written an excellent blog this time about a favorite city on earth!.. Now why would I call this my favorite.. I did not grow up there.. Its very close to my heart is because my hubby took me there when we were newly married.. more than once.. and since he has lived there before he wanted to show me around.. especially the vada pav. Still cannot forget the way he held my hand and how we ran to catch the train and managed to get in and how he would hold my hands to get out and then catch the bus and then rush to get some more vada pav..
sorry to ramble. As a young person I was so impressed by the hustle and bustle of the big city. The speed at which everyone moved.. another facet was the sound of pressure cookers going of in the morning at 5 a.m. I always felt the south was definetly laid back.. Still Bombay has its special charm.. really difficult to switch back to Mumbai though..All the fb's here are very interesting to read.. especially Mals.. shows she is a Mumbaiker through and through.Whenever you get time do travel in her Mumbai express here's the link
Mumbai/Navi Mumbai Express - Chalo! Chalo!!
Thanks for the great blog bhayya.. you rock!

Originally Posted by Kamalji

The Mumbai I knew

I was born and brought up in Mumbai,and married too there.The first half of my years 27,were spent in Mumbai,and the other 27 in jaipur.I have very fond memories of Mumbai.



I was born in Ulhasnagar,and then we shifted thru Ghatkopar, Sion,Chembur,finally settling in Worli,where my Mom and brothers are still there.Mumbai these days is very crowded,the traffic a nightmare,but when i talk of the Seventies,it was heaven.Bus Stops we used to stand in line,and the buses used to stop at Stops,not like now when they just dont stop and stop at the signals,where people get down.A friend of mine used to stand for hours at the Opera House Bus Stop,where no one knew him,and he was in the habit of rushing with the crowd for the bus,but with no intention of getting in the bus.but to pinch a few bottoms in the crowd.This was his idea of thrills. He got thrashed a few times, which he richly deseved.




Theatres were excellent,and exciting.Just as u ladies love to bargain for fruits and vegetables,we friends used to love standing for extra tickets,asking every pretty girl passing by, "Any extras ?",and haggling with the black marketers over the rates.Most good movies used to be housefull from day one.Sterling Cinema used to have the underground parking,very steep ramp,and while coming out after the movie,my Fiat could not climb the ramp with the friends inside,and i had to tell them to Get off the Car, only then it could climb up.And it was embarrassing,as other cars were lined up after mine,and honking away impatiently.



I have seen movies like "Danger diabolik",( the orignal of the Amitabh Zanjeer), in Rex Cinema,in the bylanes behind VT Station,as also a cinema house called Radio.I dont know if these still exist.And Grant Road had the best assortment of Cinemas like Super (where Shaildendra the Raj Kapoor Lyrcist used to sell Tickets at the counter),.Good Time Pass.And there was Alexendra, the famous Theatre, whose Gatekeepers used to translate the English movie name into Hindi(they had the bosses permission).



Their Translation of the Bond movie Goldfinger was very funny,see if it makes sense "Sone ki Ungli,ne kiya Bahut Khujli" !Another Bond movie called "Thunderball" was "Barish Ayee,Hua Thunder"Picture dekhne Aaoo Ander ".Of course this theatre,alongwith Moti,Taj,Silver, were infested with pimps and prostitutes,and i have been privileged to have them as my companions besides me.How many of u can boast of such an august company !GrantRoad where these theatres are situated is a red light area,so these people sittingnext to you is inevitable.




Trains were less crowded than now,i could comfortably get in and get a seat then.Take a Miday for a buck and sit and read the gossip.But i could never buy a ticket as there used to be a line of dozen guys for the tics,so i travelled without a Tic always.I knew no one would dare enter a 3rd class compartment and check.As i used to get down, i would go and stand besides the TT at the gate,insde the platform and keep looking at my watch,as though waiting for someone,and as soon as the TT got busy with a guy checking his ticket,I used to quietly slip out.I used to wait to be caught once,so that i pay the fine,and have a clean consience,but tht time never came.If i add interest for all these years,im sure the amount now that i have to pay will run into thousands if not lakhs.




After 8 pm, driving was a pleasure,we used to go for night movies,and my rickety fiat could notch up 60 kms speed,and from Worli to excelsior we could reach in 25 mins flat,a distant dream these days.And the lovers,who can forget them.Worli Sea Face,used to have Cars lined up,with the boss and secretary combo, Bf Gf, or god knows other combos.We friends used to get in my car,and we would go and park behind a car with action.We could see in the dark just two heads close to each other,and suddenly one head dissappearing,and we could imagine all sort of things.I would suddenly open the head lights,which would catch the couple by surprise,cruise besides their car,and my friends would give them a few choicy bad words,and run away to another victim.




Mumbai, dear Mumbai, Imiss those railway trains and the crowds, the pee fuilled swimming pools,the flies over the Sugarcane Juice,those free rides in the trains,and the prostitutes besides me in the cinema hall.Oh to be young and Gay again.Will God ever listen to me !



KAMAL MAHTANI

I have very little experience with Mumbai. However, whenever I visited the city, I enjoyed myself. I have lived most of my life in Kolkata and Delhi. I love Kolkata and I think Mumbai is closer to Kolkata than Delhi. I am not fond of Delhi at all. But Kolkata is going down now and I too cannot help recalling the old days.