Mumbai Calling

• Print this page
• Post a comment
• Login to flag content
• Subscribe to this page and comments

Biryani, Bollywood and Bombay..sorry, Mumbai. Here I come!

I’m a globe trotter; not by nature, but by reason. Born and raised in Hong Kong under the British Raj for many years, most of my summers were spent soaking up the Mumbai monsoons, secretly gorging on raasta bhel puri, sandwiches and kulfi. In perhaps the filmiest of ways, I would shed many a tears as I walked into the phinel filled Mumbai airport and board a flight back home. After many such summers, High School ended and I found myself surrounded by the tall constructions of New York City; a metro I had chosen for college. Trotting down the galli’s of New York, I found myself looking for the bhel puri wala only to be met by an all American speaking hotdog seller. I craved some chat-pata roasted channa and was greeted by sweet almonds which sold on a roadside cart. And just when I thought I couldn’t be further away from home, it began to snow when all I wanted the warm Indian rain.

Interestingly, all three cities, Mumbai, Hong Kong and New York own a similar trait: they lack the sense to slumber, hence the Sleepless City label. But compare the latter two with Mumbai and you find yourself in personified cold cities. I found myself aloof, lost and homeless. After a few years of attempting to find a city to call my humble abode, I thought back to a time I felt most at home. In the next few months, I will finally be making a move to my new habitat: Mumbai. They say that home is where the heart is and without a doubt, mine has always lain in Mumbai.

Needless to say, the excitement is building. I have so much I wish to do, see and relive. My fondest memories of Mumbai are simple; walking in Priyadarshani Park as my local friends would throw rocks into the water only to be shouted at by lovers who were secretly romancing behind the boulders. This was quickly followed by great kalla khatta ice-golas and pau bhaji on Chowpatty— can you hear my tummy rumbling already? My friends tell me that Bombay has changed more than just its name and that I am still living in an early 2000 India. But hey! Who said I wasn’t willing to find more reasons to love the city?

Those are just mundane reasons for moving to Mumbai. The city encompasses an energy that is vivacious and incredibly fierce; once you’re in, you simply cannot get out. It may house a Marine Drive and the best biryani money can buy, but Mumbai also has an undying spirit which will surpass the best and worst of times. Where else is the world will you find the most prolific film industry in the world ala Bollywood; a place to buy back your own stolen stuff for cheap, thank you Chor Bazaar; the world’s Laundromat—Dobi Ghat, better than Starbucks cutting chai and God at every corner, courtesy of the numerous religious landmarks the city houses? Search the world and you’ll find yourself back in Mumbai.

Yes, I will be a new girl in Mumbai city. But the way I look at it, I’m just running back to an old boyfriend of the sorts. And if you’re looking for me, I’ll be the one sporting the Mai Mumbai tee riding the 9:06 a.m. train from Bandra to Mumbai CST. See you soon Mumbai!

Author: Roshni Mulchandani | Published Oct 14, 2009 | 03:15 AM

Stuck on the opposite hemisphere, I find myself knowing more about Mumbai than I do about any other city in the world. Strange but true. To keep myself from missing the most amazing city in the world,...

http://www.roshnis-right-to-write.blogspot.com