Just Walking Around

Un Dino ki Baaten …. Down Memory Lane

Currently my daughter and the Missus are hooked on to a serial being aired on Sony TV … Yeh Un Dino Ki Baaten. I too have caught up some of the episodes , looks interesting . The story revolves around bunch of teen aged kids guys and girls in a school in Ahmadabad. The plot moves with their crushes, classroom rivalries some background stories all set in the the ’90’s period. A period of television boom , friends get together’s ,watching movies on VCR , their emotional turmoil’s . Depicted in the 90’s setting perfectly.

Watching the episodes got me thinking of my own memories from an even before nostalgic times of the 80’s. I still remember watching the episodes of the first India Soap Opera and the longest running serial on Indian Television – “Hum Log” on the only channel available “Doordashan” , the state owned television channel. Hum Log’s story revolved around daily struggles and aspirations of a typical lower middle class family in Delhi with veteran character artist Vinod Nagpal as the head of the family Basesar Ram . A alcoholic who has lost his zeal for life. His wife Bhagawanti played by Joyshree Arora as the mother who holds the home together inspite of the struggles and depressing conditions all around. The four kids eldest one Lallu (Rajesh Puri) a loveable and affable character and little naïve and dumb evoking a much needed humour in the story line , Bhadki (Seema Bhargav nee Pahwa , last seen in the movie Shubhmangal as the mother of actress Bhoomi Pednekar explaining the birds and bees with a hilarious analogy of Alibaba and 40 chor) the strong willed elder daughter willing to sacrifice her life and ambitions for the family , taking care of the younger two siblings the dashing Nanhe (Abhinav Chaturvedi ) an aspiring Cricketer and fire brand Chutki ( Loveleen Mishra) aspiring to be a doctor. The episodes were light hearted and sometimes serious a perfect mix of the every day life of a family in India which the viewers could relate to. The icing on the cake was a flawless synopsis at the end of each episode by the vertan Dada Muni – Ashok Kumar in his trade mark style of soft and slow talking and the punch line .. To kal phir dekhen Aage kya hota hai “Hum  Log”

Those were the days of just a single channel of Doordashan entertaining the entire country .I still remember the black and white strips across the TV screen with a sharp screeching noise every time when the TV was put ON and the television programming was still broadcast. Then as if magic the revolving logo of Doordarshan moving across the screen and finally the pictures started streaming IN. 

(Paste the link below in yur browser to enjoy the nostalgia)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-7JmGB9BRA

The programming was also very limited , it would start in the early morning around 6.30am with prayers or bhajans followed by a capsule of News in Hindi followed by the same news repeated in English. This was followed by regional programming like in case of  Maharashtra in Marathi. A few childrens programs and some in Hindi. Later in the evening you had special childrens programs like “Kilbil” a little drama , some songs , some puppetry all in Marathi and focused on children in the age group of 3-12.

Some Hindi dubbed programs for children also included the Japanese adventures of “Johnny Sokko & his Flying Robot” a Giant Robot controlled through a watch in the hands of special child agents Johnny Sokko alias U9 and his friend U7 giving orders to fly , fight with rockets from his finger tips , a flame thrower in his palm etc. Each episode they would battle some evil enemies who looked like aliens from another planet masterminded by the evil Emperor Guillotine.

Later in the day you would even have agriculture based program like “Aamch Mati Amchi Mansa” giving information on agriculture , crop science , fertilizers and animal husbandry. I used to watch them just for the fun of it also you get an idea how India’s rural population lived and how they worked in the fields so that we urbanites could have a good square meal on out dinning tables in our cozy homes.

I still remember the regional programming in Marathi had such gem of a programs like Hasra Gajra a comic episodes with stalwarts like Dilip Prabhawalkar , Ashok Saraf and the king of slapstick Laxmikant Berde. Each episode was really humours and filled with true sarcasm making you laugh from the core of your belly. Much later when Color programming started the best ever stand up comedy was presented by none other than the prolific Marathi theater playwright , humorist presenting his deeply stroked and etched out characters from his famous book Vyakti Ani Valli . The humour with touch of tongue in cheek sarcasm could bowl you over and strung your heart. Laughing and crying with the humorist famously known and Pu La talking on stage with a standard speakers podium and a Tambya ( waoter jug) for company.

There were special boolywood music programs “Chitrahaar” and “Chayaageet” much like the Top 10 songs on today’s channels like 9XM , Zee Music or Masti . Each Wednesday and Friday these programs would beam out around 8pm and take you through the lilting melodies of Bollywood classics from composers like S D Burman , Hemant Kumar , Naushad, and sung by greats like Rafi , Kishore Kumar , Manna Dey , Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bosale in Chaya Geet and latest 80’s songs from movies of Govinda , Amir Khan , Rishi Kapoor in Chitrahaar. We used to look forward to listening these back to back songs in those programs.

During the nights you had Indian classical programs both Instrumental and Songs from stalwarts like Pt. Bhimsem Joshi , Pt. Jasraj , Prabha Atre , Kishori Amonkar and Parveen Sultana . Listening to their melodious voices would transport you to a differnt realm altogether . You would feel as if in a trance. Sometimes and mostly on weekend we used to watch Classic films from noted directors like Satyajit Ray or Adoor Gopalkrihnan , films in Bengali and Malyalam / Tamil with sub-titles. Films like Pather Panchali , The Appu Trilogy , Agantuk , Ghere Baire were content rich and made us aware of different cultures and traditions and of  diversities in our country.All these have greatly impacted me and have made me aficionado of our Indian Classical Music and regional language movies.

Saturday evenings were reserved for watching Marathi movies in the evening be it black and white classics like Mohityanchi Manjula , Maratha Tituka Melavava and other movies depicting Maratha Valour. And some time the whole hearted comedy movies from Sachin Pilgoankar and Mahesh Kothari’s stables with Ashok Saraf and Lakshmikant Berde in the leads . Movies like Gamat Jamat , Ashi Hi Banva Banvi , Dhadakebaaz , Dhoomdadaka made you roll in the aile with their funny stories and one liners hitting home spot on.

In late 80’s you had foreign serials which gained popularity . I still remember laughing to the slap stick comedy of Didi’s Comedy Show  a German comedy television show created by and starring Dieter Hallervorden 'DiDi' dubbed in English . Didi was a bumbling detective who is struck by "brilliant" ideas which turn out disastrously; he eventually comes out on top, however.

The show is based partly on Didi's comedic antics, many of which would be impossible in real life. For example, he takes part in a hammer throwing competition at a police sports event, forgets to let go of the hammer, and is pulled by centrifugal force into the skies; he is saved by hanging on to an aeroplane. It was quite popular in India as a comedy show on the national television station doordarshan.

Then there was the other German Crime thriller Old Fox much before the Crime Patrol’s and CID’s of today ruled the roost as crime / detective serials

The Old Fox (original German title "Der Alte", lit. "The Old Man") was a German crime drama created by Helmut Ringelmann. The series was part of the Friday Crime Night of the network.

It depicted the crime solving activities of four police detectives, Chief Inspector Erwin Köster, played by Siegfried Lowitzuntil .Humble and unassuming in appearance, chief detective Köster is the "Old Fox". By understanding the psychological make-up of his suspect, the "Old Fox" craftily leads the criminal into his own trap, to the great surprise of his often perplexed staff. The "Old Fox" had his own way of working. Wearied by the negative elements he has witnessed so often in society, the "Old Fox" provided a unique insight into human nature. Armed with the wisdom of age and experience, the "Old Fox" hunted down criminals in Munich, assisted by his colleagues.

Much later in the early Nineties on Sunday mornings you had the lavishly mounted Mythlogical serials like Ramayan and Mahabharat giving insights into Hindu Philosophy with stories that mesmerized the viewers with the in camera special effects which were new and astonishing in those days. During the war between Lord Ram and Rakshasa King Ravan , arrows would be fired with special effects like a halo or sparkling effects or lighning bolts. All giving the story a magical effect. The costumes and sets in Mahabharata were lavish the dialog were in chaste Hindi – Do you remember the heavy words like Bhratrashri , Mamashri and Pitamah ..

Serials like Surabhi a weekly show on Indian culture and unique traditions crafts and episodes on artisans of India hooked you with their intellectual content. Or the weekly News show The World This Week anchored by the Psephologist and senior journalist Pranoy Roy under whose tutelage the current lot of TV journalist like Arnab Goswami , Srinivasan Jain , Rajdeep Sardesai , Vikram Chandra and Barkha Dutt  gained prime time experience in news presentation.

Those were the days much before the television explosion of the mid to late Nineties when nearly 100 channels crowded the TV and made you spoilt for choices.

Those were the best days of our lives and It all seems just like yesterday….Truly Un dino ke baton ka jawab nahi…Woh majaa hi kuch aur tha….

Just Walking Around

Just Walking Around

Pickle Nation….

Every time someone asks for my name and I say its Sameer Pikle, I get an odd look from the requester. Yeah I know what he or she is thinking . What a funny last name Pikle. If its an Indian and especially a Maharashtrian they are curious and ask me is it  Pikle as in Amba Pikle or Kes Pikle , Pikle in Marathi is Ripened . And I say with a wry smile ,yes Ripened with age and experienced I guess. On other occasion and most often than not people pronounce my last name as Pickle or a spicy side dish in Indian Cuisine and I say its not Pickle but Pikle but atleast I add some spice to life .

To think of it Pickle is not just some side dish or condiment its one of the go to dish if you are down with cold & fever and the tongue is tasteless. Adds a serious bit of spice and taste to your food which otherwise would taste bland. It’s the best complement to the other famous Indian rice recipe of Kichdi that soft yellow mix of rice and lentils made into a mush but tastier and soothing to the stomach than any of the chaptpata dishes that you normally gobble. It also goes well with your Chicken / Mutton Biryani to enhance the spices and the flavours of the Biryani itself. Growing up in a home where something was cooking up all the time , I mean in the Kitchen. We used to have fresh pickles being made by Aai all the time. If it was Gudi Padva which comes in the months of March-April , it would be pickle made from raw mangoes cut into pieces , marinated in turmeric , chilly powder and salt and them tempered with hot oil and mustard seeds. Kept away for a few days before the special day and eaten on Gudi Padva . To think of it I remember Aai making pickle from fresh vegetables like for example the fluffy Cauliflower , cut into pieces and mixed with the same spices , the pickle so made had a totally different texture giving it a great taste . Or take the case of the Carrot pickle made from the red carrots , a mix of little sweet and spicy taste and the crunchy texture  makes me take a second helping evrytime I have it even today. 

Another one of my favourites was the pickle made from fresh and wet Turmeric roots , we call it the Oli Halad . Its looks like Ginger but when cut is bright orange inside and has a little pungent taste. Mixed with this was the Ambe Haladi , this again is a distant cousin of the turmeric looks like ginger  but is bright yellow from inside and has a distinctly tangy taste. If you bit into a small pice with your eyes closed you will confuse the taste with that of a raw mango , hence the name Ambe (Mango) Haldi. Made into a pickle and served with curd rice it tastes like heaven.

One more of my favourites and an acquired taste was the green chilly pickle my Sudha Aatya used to serve when I stayed at her place during vacations in my childhood days. We had named it the “Nakaat janare lonche” or the pickle that used to go to your nose as an after taste due to the ground mustard base. One small bite of the green chilly piece and you were sure to get the zing. But I loved it and it went best with my aatya’s favorite rice recipe of Teen Rangi Bhaat or the tri-coloured rice with its exception flavour and the most visually appealing dish I ever had .

To think of it Pickles are second nature to all Indians. Even while using the same main ingredients, Indian pickles can vary widely in flavor due to differences in the preparation techniques and spices used. A mango pickle from South India may taste very different from one made in North India, and is generally a lot spicier than a pickle from  North India. In the southern states, sesame oil is generally preferred, while mustard oil is generally preferred in the northern states for making pickles. The capital of India, New Delhi is home to many centuries-old pickle brands, one of them being Harnarains. It was originally started off in 1860s, and still continues to be one of the best in India. Single main ingredient varieties prepared with mango, chilli and lemon are ever popular, but the city is famous of pachranga (literally 'five colors', prepared with five vegetables) and satranga (literally 'seven colors', prepared with five vegetables) which are matured in mustard oil using main ingredients such as raw mangoes, chick peas, lotus stem, karonda and amlas or limes, pickled with whole spices. True to its Haryanvi and Punjabi origins, this pickle is large hearted with its range of ingredients and spice. Pachranga achar was first created by Murli Dhar Dhingra in Pakistan in 1930, his Dingra and Malik descendants brought it to India in 1943. Panipat produces over INR50 crore worth of achaar every year (2016 figures), supplied to local markets as well as exported to UK, USA, UK and middle east.

In Southern India, most vegetables are sun-dried with spices, taking advantage of immensely hot and sunny days throughout the year, thus making pickles an everyday staple. The sun-drying naturally preserves the vegetable, along with spices such as mustard,  fenugreek seeds (methi), chilli powder, salt, asafetida (hing), and turmeric. To speed up the preparation process, vegetables may be cooked first on slow heat.

The states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are famous for their spicy pickles. Unripe mango with garlic and ginger ( Aavakaaya in Telugu), unripe tamarind coupled sometimes with green chillies (Chintakaaya in Telugu) and red chillies (Korivikaram in Telugu) are a staple in everyday meal. Gooseberry (Usirikaaya in Telugu) and Lemon (Nimmakaaya in Telugu) are also widely eaten pickles as well. All these are best eaten with the all time favourite Hydrabadi Biryani.

The state of  Tamil Nadu makes a mango pickle called maavadu, which is usually made early in the summer season when mangoes are barely an inch long. The preservation process uses castor oil, giving the pickle its unique taste. Another pickle from Tamil Nadu is narthangai consisting of unripe Citrons or EEd Limbu as we know cut into spirals and stuffed with salt. Tamilians also use sun-dry chillies stuffed with salted yogurt, thus making a dry condiment called Mor molagai that is typically eaten with rice. We have a similar variant in Coastal regions like Konkan where these de-seeded Dhabbu Mirch as they are called are stuffed with salt and spices and dried. These and then fried in small quantity of oil and served with curry and rice.

In the state of Karnataka, the tender whole mango pickle is a traditional pickle recipe. This is preserved entirely by dehydrating tender whole mango known as Appe Middi a special variety of mango which is small in size and a little flat in structure. This is marinated with salt and spices and made into a very salty and sour pickle. A special type of this is appe  midi  pickle is has a refreshing aroma.

People residing in Coastal India have their own special recipe for pickle made from fish. Yes take the case of Prawn Balcao from Goa a pungent pickle made from tiny prawns or shrimps. In Tamil Nadu, karuvadu is made by salting and sun-drying various species of fish. Nethili karuvadu, made from anchovies, is among the more popular varieties of karuvadu. In Kerala, tuna and sardines are finely chopped and marinated in spices and later cooked on stovetop, resulting in Meen achar. Andhra Pradesh and Telangana also make fish and shrimp pickles but are more famous for their lamb and chicken pickles known for their spiciness and all around flavour.

The list can go on and on but one thing is for sure that Pickles add a spicy flavour to your thali or the food plate with the usual dal ,sabji , chapatti and rice. So next time you are feeling tasteless or simply want to enhance your food grab a spoonful of the pickle and enjoy your dinner. 

Bonn Appetite….

Just Walking Around

Green Thumbs

Search Google and the most trending topic of discussion in news in developed and developing economies is “ Climate Change” , the effects of which are hotly debated on news channels , World economic forums and International associations like United Nations. Believe it or not the effects of Climate are very real and very visible. Take the case of the smog choking Delhi every year this time of the year or the case of the incessant rains in Mumbai right up to Diwali in mid October. And the extreme temperatures currently observed during the day making you sweat and the sudden drop in temperature during the nights making it a health hazard for not just kids but also adults alike. Giving most of us the sniffles or a clear case of runny noses accompanied by mild fever. Such is the weather sometimes it feels not to step out of the home.

To top it all the local administrations in most cities is not geared upto handle the deluge due excessive rains. Take the recent news case of floods in Chennai making the lives of the people residing in the city. Flooding caused the city to come to a standstill for 2-3 days and the same thing happening in Bangalore a week before . City after city is fighting the same chaos and in hilly places like Uttarakhand such climate change can be catastrophic by way of landslides and many lives being lost as also damage to property.

But all this can be attributed to mans greed , one reason being unrelenting cutting of trees to develop land for housing and commercial activities. Creating more Concrete forest , when the need of the hour is more green cover.

Living in Matunga where fortunately the green cover is still intact in the quite precincts of Hindu Colony and Dadar Parsi Colony. Even during high noon when the Sun is overpowering in the sky you can take a pleasant walk among the shade of the trees in these places. Enjoy the cool breeze in the evening or even a night walk enjoying a little chit chat with your spouse under the amazing night sky brightly lit with twinkling stars and yellow full moon.

Growing up I still remember I had a green thumb potting plants in our wide and airy Verandah. We always had a Tulsi , that light green plant with medicinal properties . According to Ayurveda Tulsi is one plant which is a natural air purifier . If planted in abundance it can filter the polluted air entering our homes. The leaves can be used to make home remedies to beat that toughest of cold and flu. A few leaves in your hot cup of tea can recharge you with energy and a clears your system of all the daily stress. Then there are flowering plants like the white lilies which would bloom in abundance come April and May every year. The delicate white flowers rising up from the mud in the pots like stars on drinking  straws. A bouquet of white bloom among the deep green grassy leaves. A wonderful sight to behold. 

Another rare plant we have is the Brahma Kamal a variant of the exotic Lotus flower. If you look at the plant it appears like a shrub in a arid dessert with flat green leaves rising from buds buried in the mud in the earthen kundi or planter. It is said that Brahma Kamal  flowers once in 6 years but when it blooms it’s a sight to behold. First a tiny buds sticks out from the sides of those flat green leaves. Over a period a few day the buds grow in speed with a proper stem and a large bulbous conical bud at the top .The colour being a fiery red. On the day of its bloom you can not miss the faint but sweet fragrance emanating form the bud which spreads across your home. The red bulb starts opening up late in the evening to reveal the soft and pristine white flower with faint yellow spores in the center. When fully bloomed it is a sight to watch with a large flower holding center stage like a beautiful goddess and right fully so the favorite flower of goddess Laxmi itself. But the life of the flower is only for a night as it wilts away when you check on it the morning after. Making the saying “Best things comes in small packages” so true.

The other plants we always had were the Sadaphooli of the ever flowering literally daily making its presence felt every morning with its cutely symmetrical pink and purple flowers or pure white and yellow combination. The flowers were plucked and offered to the gods during morning prayers . All these plants sitting pretty in the wrought iron stand fixed to the verandah or now in the window grills. With open spaces coming at a premium , most of the flat owners today have flowering and medicinal plants in their window grills. Some going on to make space for kitchen gardens with veggies like cherry tomatoes , brinjals , green chillies and green leafy vegetables like Methi or even a Palak.

Such is the demand for potted plants you are sure find many plant nurseries in Mumbai. At the end of the Tilak Bridge connect Dadar East to Dadar West you can find a very old nursery made out the step like holders placed along the bridge wall. Here you can get plants in all sizes from the small saplings of Chinese Rose in deep pink or purple. The ever flowering Sadafuli in pink , purple or white. The fresh bright orange Marigold or its other variant in sunny yellow. You can even get the Shevanti the bright yellow coloured flowers most often offered in the form of a garland . Special variety of the Shevanti which is cute as a button and literally called button Shevanti. They also keep fragrant flowering plants like Mogra , Jai and Jui  . Some shrubs which flower in the night and spread their fragrance all across like Rat Rani or a Parijat. Since the demand for exotic flowers is increasing they even keep plants for orchids and carnations. Sometimes you can even get Gladiola .

If you are looking to plant some real trees may be in your building compound or a the society garden you can head to Kalina. Just on the roadside on the way to Mumbai University you will find nurseries growing sapling for palm tree , Jasmine or even fruit

trees saplings of mango , chickoo or a guava. Most of the Facility Management Companies who are into Office management or even Landscape Decrators for Corporate Spaces come here to pick up these greens. You can even get real grass in rolls or turf which can be laid ut on open plots. Making the landscape really green and soothing to the eye.

So next time you are feeling a little depressed and under the weather I suggest you go to your small garden in your window sill just sit there staring at the small patch of greenery and see your worries melt away ….just like magic. Try it its and sure cure for all your moody blues.

Just Walking Around

Walking amongst the flowers ….

The festive season has just concluded and everyone is back to the usual grind. The same old traffic jams the same old rush in the trains same old routine job.Looking at all this chaos around a  song comes to my mind , a lilting melody ….”Yeh Kahan Aaageye Hum Yuhi Saath Saath Chalte” from Silsila . A song playing in the background as the tall angry young man Amitabh Bacchan and the beauteous Rekha walking hand in hand amidst the most beautiful places on Earth , among the valley of flowers especially the bright pink and red Tulips. Totally awesome …

You wont find the same serenity but you can take that walk , a walk among the flowers right here in the midst of all the chaos in this Maxim City of Mumbai , close to the one of the busiest Suburban Railway Station if not The Busiest . That’s right  here in Dadar.

Just next to the station on the south side of the FOB starts a small lane filled with small hole in the wall shops . Close to 20 stalls lined right till the end where the flyover bridge opposite the Dadar station ends. The business starts here at the ghostly hour of the early morning around 4 am every day. Tons of flowers come here from all across India mostly by trains or in huge trucks. The bags upon bags of flowers are transported to this small bylane known locally as the Phool Gully or the Dadar Phool Market.

You can see the flower vendors some owners of small shops some traders or even some who pick up loose stock converge here to pick the best lot at that ghostly hour. Pitch black except for the street lights and lights on the stations these flower vendors get to work. Opening up huge jute filled bags of bright Orange and Yellow Marigolds . Spilling on the ground like small pom-poms. Or now during the winters its those bright yellow or lemon colored Shevanti or the maroon and orange tinged small Zinnia’s . Now a days you can you can even spot some exotic flowers like the Tulips or Orchids or even the Carnations which go into making of lovely flower bouquets . Those you can give to your sweet heart.

Walking here early in the morning is like walking among a beehive of activity or something similar to a warzone. You will find the unloaders , unloading the flowers in bulk at the stalls . Small and retail vendors haggling away with the shopowners to pick up a  few 10’s of kilos of the best and freshest flower to be carried back as far as Kalyan & Dombivili in the Central Suburbs or Borivili and Dahisar on the Werstern side. Some are local flower sellers who take their stock and sit below the flyover bridge and start making garlands weaving these flowers into multicoured “haars” or garlands ready to adorn the necks of the various deities across the city in temples and in our homes. You can see largely the women folk working fervently at these flowers and deftly weaving them using nothing but a string of thread and magically transforming the flowers into those lovely garlands. Even small girls as small as 5 year olds work along their mothers , their aunts or the old grand mothers and transform these flowers into “Vennis” or “Gajra” . Both of these flower adornments used by the women to tuck into their hair buns and look gorgeous.  You will find families upon families thriving upon the measly income generated after selling these garlands and Vennis to the people entering and exiting the station.

While walking among these flowers you can literally surrounded by the wafts of fragrance . The sweet smell of those red roses and pink roses that come from the dry Rajasthan or Kutch. The distinct fragrance of the  small white “chadi” used in the Haar or the over powering smell of “Mogra” which are the costliest but the best for making the Gajra’s. Not long ago a middle class Marathi manoos would profess his love for his wife by buying a couple of these delicate Mogra gajra’s while returning home from work. A modest romantic gift for his wife to see that special smile on her lips , a smile which would melt his own stress and agony of day. A few moments of bliss shared between the two.

Then there are the faint lingering smells of flowers like white sontakka , bright orange chaffa or the yellow bud like kavti chaffa sold in lose by the dozen. I have seen people buying those small garlands made up of these orange chaffa at the traffic junctions or at the Red light Signals and placing them on the small murti’s inside their cars .The fragrance so sweet and overpowering you wont even need to use an air fresheners for the entire day. Try it next time , its better than the artificial fragrance in our otherwise artificial and routine life.

Walking here in this Phool Market ,transports you to an entirely different world . A world amidst the chaos but still fragrant from the beauty of nature.