Just Walking Around

Memories of Cartoon Strips

As a regular reader of the Times of India I miss the daily dose You Said It by R.K Laxma . A  political cartoon series which ran for decades sending out a small but very apt message delivered through the striking Common Man . A bespectackled figured in a checquered coat and a dhoti with an Umbrella for company going about town mutely observing the world throwing up a satirical statement each day.Through his creation of the 'Common Man', Laxman commented on chaotic day-to-day instances from the lives of thousands of Indians. An ardent believer of 'My sketch pen is not a sword, it's my friend', gave the entire nation a silent spectator with an uncanny perception and sarcasm to explain the Indian politics through the eyes of a common man.

Rasipuram Krishnaswami Iyer Laxman or simply R.K.Laxman was an Indian cartoonist, illustrator, and humorist. He was best known for his creation The Common Man and for his daily cartoon strip, "You Said It" in The Times of India, which started in 1951.

Laxman started his career as a part-time cartoonist, working mostly for local newspapers and magazines. While as a college student, he illustrated his older brother R. K. Narayan's stories in The Hindu. His first full-time job was as a political cartoonist for The Free Press Journal in Mumbai. Later, he joined The Times of India, and became famous for The Common Man character.

R. K. Laxman was born in Mysore in 1921 in an Iyer family. His father was a headmaster and Laxman was the youngest of eight children: namely, six sons and two daughters. His elder brother is novelist R. K. Narayan. Laxman was known as "Pied Piper of Delhi"

Laxman was engrossed by the illustrations in magazines ,the Strand, Punch, Bystander, Wide World and Tit-Bits, before he had even begun to read. Soon he was drawing on his own, on the floors, walls and doors of his house and doodling caricatures of his teachers at school; praised by a teacher for his drawing of a peepal leaf, he began to think of himself as an artist in the making. After high school, Laxman applied to the J. J. School of Art, Bombay hoping to concentrate on his lifelong interests of drawing and painting, but the dean of the school wrote to him that his drawings lacked "the kind of talent to qualify for enrolment in our institution as a student", and refused admission. He finally graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Mysore.

Laxman's earliest work was for newspapers Rohan and magazines including Swarajya and Blitz. While still at the Maharaja College of Mysore, he began to illustrate his elder brother R. K. Narayan's stories in The Hindu, and he drew political cartoons for the local newspapers and for the Swatantra. In 1951, Laxman joined The Times of India, Mumbai, beginning a career that spanned over fifty years.His "Common Man" character, featured in his pocket cartoons, is portrayed as a witness to the making of democracy. R. K. Laxman structured his cartoon-news through a plot about corruption and a set of characters. This news is visualized and circulated through the recurring figures of the mantri (minister), the Common Man and the trope of modernity symbolized by the airplane.

Some of his cartoons are relevant even after 25 years of their orginal publication. Like for example the cartoon doing the rounds in the wake of PNB Bank scam depicting a Bank Robber asking the Bank Manager for handing over all the money in the bank and the Manager telling the Robber “ We have a Loan Scheme I assure you it  is equally god . Why don’t you try that instead ?

Another one from the legendary cartoonist will make you ponder if he knew about the present state of banks back in 70s and 80s. A Cartoon depicting the security guard of the bank telling the Common Man – “ No , not a holiday , It’s a full working day , Some are in Police custody , some are under suspension and some …..”

Or the one that could have predicted Padmavat’s future .. A Cartoon showing a Censor board member coming out of the preview screening and telling the Producer –director of the film “ Excellent full of social values , progressive ideas, fine acting . But you must get OK from Shiv Sena and BJP for public screening. 

Or one that summed up the Finacial jugglery the Finance Minister makes every year during the Budget season . Laxman's cartoon is uncannily relevant, when inflation has affected the Common Man the most. 

And the most caustic but truly relevant about his views on Demonitization when it was carried out by then Prime Minister Morarji Desai in 1978  It is valid even today. How much more of the tiger is now in the cage?

Every morning, for over five decades, his fans like waited for the 'Common Man', who, with his signature checked jacket, dhoti, Gandhi-glasses and twin tufts of gravity-defying hair, watched life and politics in India.A really thought provoking, inspiring and a genius cartoonist.

Another Cartoonist I truly adore is Mario Miranda. Born in Goa , Mario, as he was popularly known,  spent his youth shuttling between Mumbai and Goa. He worked as a cartoonist in newspapers like the now-defunct Current and later with the Illustrated Weekly of India magazine, besides Midday and later, Economic Times. The Afternoon Dispatch and Courier produced some of his best work on the city. That period also saw Mario create the endearing characters of his cartoons - the secretary Miss Fonseca, the minister Bundaldass, and Bollywood star Rajani Nimbupani. Miranda's cartoons grace the walls of one of South Mumbai's most famous hotspots, Cafe Mondegar, in Colaba. Mario Miranda's caricatures are also seen in the municipal market of Panjim, Goa.

Mumbai, seen through Mario Miranda's eyes, is at one level cosmopolitan, symbolising the good things in life, and at another level, a nightmare with its acute space crunch and sundry other civic woes. At the height of his creativity and popularity in the 1970s and  80s, Mario's work was ubiquitous - appearing in textbooks, calendars, murals and magazines.In 2005, Mr da Cunha began to work on a book on the artist, and tracked down some 13,000 drawings - just 30% of his plrlific work- from myriad sources, including Mario's friends, personal collections, publications, and the Mumbai murals that had survived.Though the artists' community did not consider Mario to be one of them, it did not affect his creative urges, which found expressions in colour, pen-and-ink and charcoal.His range of styles, and command over different mediums, made him a bit of an enigma. Ironically, it was the cartoonist/illustrator's tag that stuck, limiting people's appreciation to 'just a few laffs'. Mario consciously avoided political cartooning, but his role as a social cartoonist is unmistakable

With pen & ink that were at his command to churn out lines that every nib would be jealous of, he brushed aside the old school of cartooning using the brush, and set a new norm to use the nib pen and to master it for this branch of art. Mario created characters that gave his daily audience their quota of a smile without malice. His trips around the globe produced subtle close observations of the local musings – a fitting example of how far can one stretch the parameters of this branch of neglected art. The Art of Cartooning..

A hats off to these two cartoonists for bringing a smile to the lips of the common man , make him forget the grim and dull life brining a little sunshine at the strat of the day , every day for years together….A big salute to RK Laxman and Mario Miranda.

Just Walking Around

Sweet Snacks… Muh meeth to karlo

What comes up in your mind when someone says snack or a healthy breakfast , if you are a North Indian its Paratha (Aaloo , Gobi or Paneer ) with achar or dahi , if you are a South Indian it would be Idi , Dosa or Vadai with piping hot Sambar and Chutney , if you are a Gujrati it would be Dhokla , Khanvi or simply Fafda and if you the harried cosmopolitan living in a fast paced city where you are always short of time then it would be Bread Butter or a Cornflakes and a bowl of Milk .But can you imagine any sweet dish as a morning or tea time snack.Yes a sweet recipe for a sweet day.

The best know and all time favorite sweet snack is the Pineapple Sheera with its yellow hue and lots of ghee to brighten up your day early in the morning. You will get this in any Udpi joint across town . Made of semolina or rava , sugar ,  chopped pineapple and raisins and garnished with roasted cashew.

One of  the most favourite sweet dishes for my wife and daughters is the regular Sheera. Like her mother my wifey makes the best ever Sheera as a late after noon snack which is devoured by both my dauthers . Coming back from school with loads of home work and a backpack as heavy as a trekkers napsack climbing the Everest. A steaming bowl of this yummy delight surely takes away the lethargy and brings a smile on their faces .

Another sweet snack that I remember from my childhood is the Surnali or the sweet dosa similar to the western Pancake that my mum used to make . Surnali is a typical South India Konkani dish. Its fluffy , spongy and made of puffed rice (kurmura ) or soaked poha made into a thick batter and sweetened with jaggery or sugar cane juice. Best eaten with dollops of home made butter (makhan) or ghee or spicy Indian pickles or chutney. Normally Indians do not prefer anything sweet as their breakfast dish. We usually eat our doasas, idli’s puri’s or upma etc. which are all savory. Godu surnali is an exception in a Konkani household. A snack with lots of childhood  memories when aai used to make these sweet and porous pancakes for the entire family.

Everybody loves cakes and pastries and a few years back the most trending cake was the “Red Velvette Cake “ made or beetroot but have ever come across a cake made of cucumber . We ate this yummy at home all the time. Doesn’t require any special culinary expertise or exotic ingredients ,. Well…this is what Dhondas is made of – along with jaggery and rava (sooji). And all ye veggies out there – this will gladden your heart as there is no egg involved! Dhondas is a traditional sweet made in most GSB or Konkani households from coastal regions of Maharashtra , Goa and Karnataka. It’s a huge favorite with every body from kids to grown ups., The cucumber to be used here is the large variety – which is at least a 3/4th foot long and a couple of inches in diameter. Try not to use the regular small slim ones that we use for salads etc.All this is mixed with dollops of ghee and baked or rather steamed in cooker to give it that spongy texture . In our home we had the traditional ring type baking container , the Dhondas coming out would be like a large doughnut with a hole in the middle. Cut into pieces and served to hungry kids with rumbling tummy. Bite into it as savor its taste as it melt in your mouth. No cream , no egg or any fancy ingredient but pure magic  . You absolutely MUST try this out….

Speaking of Dhondas another traditional sweet snack is the Bonda or Mulkaa . This is typical fried snack from coastal Goa and Karnataka . You can use over ripe banana mix it with jaggery and rawa (to make it crispy) make into a semi thick batter , made into small balls and deep fried to make these tasty fritters – bajji type sweet snack called the Kela Bonda or Mulkaa. Served hot with green chutney tastes like heaven. Sometimes these are given out in temples as Prasad . Even when cold they are yummy to taste and really filling.

One more sweet snack is the Buns , a popular breakfast and tea time snack in Udupi-Mangalore region. Buns are sweet, soft fluffy puris made using banana. Usually, served with a spicy coconut chutney and sambhar, but they also taste great without any accompaniment. They're amazingly flavorful & delicious.

They're super soft, super fluffy and is amazingly delicious with a hint of sweetness from bananas used. I obviously love them extra sweet.

To make them  mix plain flour along with bananas, sour buttermilk, ghee, vanaspati and let them rest overnight to give us a super soft fermented dough. So that when deep fried, they give you an aerated, super soft, puffed doughnuts or what we in India call, puris. 

You must have eaten the Ukdiche Modak during Ganesh festivals this again becomes a sweet snack but only on special occasions like Ganesh Chaturthi , Ekadashi or a Vinayaki. But there is one more similar dish famous among the Goans and Konkanis called the Patoli or Patoleo . The simplest version of the Goan Patoleo is prepared by smearing parboiled rice (ukadicha tandul) paste on fresh turmeric leaves (holdi pan) to which a filling of freshly grated coconut (choon) and coconut jaggery (maddacho godd) is added. Lastly, the leaves are folded, sealed and steam cooked, preferably in a traditional utensil known as chondro. These are served hot on a platter with the leaves on and eaten after peeling them off. Best eaten with a spoonful of melting ghee . Eat this ,I assure you Tum ungliyan chaat jaoge.. really a finger licking snack.

I started this blog with Sheera and I will end with a recipe of sheera but in a different Avataar. The Sheera Poli or Sanjyachi Poli or Sanjori as we call in my home. Sanjori is almost similar to north indian stuffed parathas. We can find the difference only on tasting as the stuffing in this paratha is sweet sheera (roasted semolina halwa). The outer covering is usually made of maida but it can be made even more healthy buy using wheat instead of Maida. You can make these polis more flavored and nutritious by adding cinnamon powder to plain sheera or adding drynuts like chopped cashews and raisins. You can also try adding some fruits in the stuffing eg mango sheera, pineapple sheera or apple sheera. A simple but tasty sweet paratha and sure to be a hit with the kiddos.

So go ahead eat these sweet snacks either in the morning or at tea time and make your day a little bit sweeter.

Just Walking Around

Vanishing Icons of Mumbai…

The other day I was thumbing through the newspaper “The Times Of India” in the late evening after a day long at office. Reading some interesting articles when my eyes caught an articles which struck a nostalgic chord.. The EROS theater one of the last remaining single screen cinema halls screening English Hollywood movies along with the usual Bollywood blockbusters is thinking of downing its shutters.Memories came swirling of watching movies here. We travel in trains as a group land up at the iconic and buzzing station of Churchgate come out through the subway onto the pavement staring at EROS Cinema right across the road. The building architecture being Art Deco type . EROS has been one of Mumbai’s most amazing movie theatres for people of all social classes

and sects.

EROS theater was founded by Mr.Shiavax S.Cambata in the year 1938 at Churchgate , in the middle of Mumbai’s (erstwhile Bombay) business district. Architects Shorabji Bhedwar designed the Streamline Moderne building, it marked the beginning of Back Bay reclamation in early 1938. The foundation of Eros Cinema was laid in 1935. The cinema opened in 1938 with a seating capacity of 1204 the largest ever for a movie theter of its kind.The construction of this building on the then newly reclaimed Backbay plot housing shops and other businesses, apart from the cinema, took about two and a half years to complete. Partially faced with red Agra sandstone, this building is painted cream. The two wings of this Art Deco building meet up in a central block. The foyer is in white and black marble with touches of gold. Marble staircases with chromium handrails lead up to the upper floor. The murals are in muted colours depicting Indian architectures.

It used to play the latest Hollywood movies from production house like Disney , New Line Cinema and Metro Golwyn Myer (MGM ) The movies transported the viewers into a magical world of action , adventure and thrills. I remember watching the Hollywood Classic “The Guns of Navarone” starring the greats like Gregory Peck , David Niven and Anthony Quinn , a story revolving around World War II  Battle of Leros during the Dodecanese Campaign of World War II. The movie was ibnspired by the book which tells the story of the efforts of an Allied commando unit to destroy a seemingly impregnable German fortress that threatens Allied naval ships in the Aegean Sea.A movie with twist and turns and lots of action and a grand finale in the form of a climax where when the hoist of the huge Guuns reaches a trigger set up the explosive expert, the hidden explosives set off the surrounding shells in a huge explosion  destroys the guns and the entire fortress paving the way for Allied Force victory. A great experience which is still remembered even today.

But all this is lost now with the Mumbai suburban district collector Ashwini Joshi sealing  the Cambata building which houses EROS theatre weeks after it filledd a frst information report against Cambata Aviation, and, Bird Worldwide Flight Service for allegedly refusing to cooperate with the government offcials who were confiscating its equipment on court orders due the lobour dispute and complaint filed by their workers regarding the pending dues not being paid to them. A icon falling into oblivion and will only be remembered by loyal patrons who experienced the magical world of the movies there.

Catch a cab or Walk down to Horniman Circle and in one of the old bylane you have another icon “The Strand Book Stall”, Strand Book Stall began as a book kiosk in the lounge of then-glamorous Strand Cinema in Colaba in 1948. Shanbagh had come to Mumbai from a hamlet in Karnataka to study at St Xavier’s College. After an of􀃗cious salesperson made him feel unwelcome at a bookshop, he decided to set up his own where customers wouldn’t be turned away for browsing and

books were affordable. The cinema manager had been so taken by Shanbagh that he had the shelves put up himself. Shanbagh got together Rs450 for his frst consignment. The earlier generations of the Tatas, Birlas and Godrejs used to come to the cinema. They started finding interesting books there and became hooked to his salesmanship and recommendations. The store kept its name when it moved in 1956, about a 10-minute drive away to its present rented address in a quiet lane in the business district of Fort. This is the bookshop that was frequented by India’s famous thinkers. Scientist Vikram Sarabhai introduced India’s missile man APJ Abdul Kalam to the bookstore owner TN Shanbagh saying, “Ignore his recommendations at your peril”. Author Khushwant Singh once called Strand the only “personal bookshop” in India. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh used to drop by often during his days as the RBI Governor. Former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was spirited inside one night after lock-up so he could browse in peace. When Shanbagh billed him the store’s standard 20 per cent discount and Nehru protested, he replied, “It is my duty to serve our leaders”. Shanbagh was known to offer customers who couldn’t afford a either a lower price or the chance to pay later.

Vidya Virkar daughter of the legendary Mr.Shanbagh ,initiated Strand’s popular annual book-sale festivals, and held book readings at the other outposts from 1995. The Strand never sold its soul. They weren’t a second-hand bookshop, They also didn’t want to  have a restaurant or stationery to offset the loss of the bookshop. They were purists, they wanted nothing but books. Strand’s many charms were the year-round discounts, the quick and able assistance, the mix of bestsellers and rarely stocked titles. But it could’t fight the onslaught of the Digital World. It couldn’t stand up to the increasing turn to online delivery and digital readers Earlier, they were the place that got books from the UK and US;  added titles from all thier customers to make a big lot so they could keep the price low, Now only Amazon and Flipkart can import as they get enough orders to make the air freight economical.So with heavy heart on 28 February 2018, Strand Book Stall will close shop, a day after the ninth death anniversary of its beloved owner TN Shanbagh.Another icon biting the dust amongst the wind of change in this new digital age. A great loss to all the readers and the world of the written word . A place where time stood still in the form books and the atmosphere filled with soft smell of paper and ink.

From the smell of paper and ink , I remember the smell of fresh coffee and hot refreshing snacka t another icon Café Naaz at Malabar Hill . A restaurant literally on top of the world overlooking the Mumbai city’s skyline. An unforgettable experience. From Cafe Naaz, one could see the  curvaceous Marine Drive beyond the lush greens of Malabar Hill. Or maybe it was company you kept there — Mahesh Bhatt, Shobhaa De, Sanjay Dutt, Sheetal Mafatlal, theatre personalities, artistes, writers, journalists, film-makers, this was where the hip crowd gathered. Vinod and Kavita Khanna are said to have thrown a grand wedding party here. A young socialite rented the threelevel cafe for a private party, liveried waiters setting up the food before she arrived, a rather elaborate affair for a solitary guest — a textile magnate she would later marry.You who this pretty socialite was non other than Maureen Wadia .

Over 100 Bollywood movies had scenes featuring Naaz. Naaz is the stuff of urban legend, as were its chelo kababs, succulent meat on a bed of rice fragrant with Iranian saffron. Cafe Naaz was for the guy who drove up in a Cadillac as much as for the handcart-pusher who would stop for chai,says  So if the Chelo kababs were priced at Rs 250 a plate, there was always a Rs 5 cup of tea to be enjoyed, the view came free. Whatever it was that drew them to this Irani cafe, it kept them returning for more.

The restaurant was started in 1944 by another generation of Iranis, when Malabar Hill was thickly forested with only a mud path leading to the top. In the late 1990s, following years of litigation, the restaurant had to fold up with the BMC ousting its tenant over an expired lease. The BMC had taken the land back ostensibly for its water works department. A few years ago, the authorities also floated the idea of an “observatory”, a vantage point to look over the city, for a fee. Now, well over a decade later, part of the property is used by a municipal union as office space, the rest of the once-bustling cafe and sit-out reduced to a large litterbin and an overgrowth of weeds.

Today there’s no signboard, no anticipation of a turnaround, nobody to claim the space as the city’s. Cafe Naaz keeps its desolate vigil over the bay, standing over interments of memories of a different city, a city which is loosing its soul to the Glitz , Glamour and Gimmickry.

Another icon which got lost a couple of years back was the mecca of Music , a shop for all genre’s – The Rhythm House at Kala Ghoda an important landmark in the Art disctrict of Mumbai. The store started out in the early 1940s, set up by a Curmally family friend, before Mehmood’sfather took over the business, and eventually passed it on to his brother, Amir, and Mehmood. In its early days, the shop sold imported 78rpm records. As the years went on, the family saw various mediums of recorded music come and go, as it sold jukeboxes, vinyl, then cassettes, before stocking the CDs and DVDs. They specialised more in imported western music at first and when the Indian companies came in and started manufacturing Indian records, of course they started stocking that as well. In recent years, the shop has offered a variety of styles from Indian classical music and Bollywood hits to jazz and the latest pop albums by the likes of Justin Bieber.

Bollywood music directors Kalyanji Anandji dropped in to get inspired, Shammi Kapoor and Pt Ravi Shankar were regulars. Jethro Tull, The Police, Peter Andre, Zakir Hussain and AR Rahman have all visited.

It was never “just a music shop” that sold records or cassettes . Rhythm House had a character of its own that defined it. Its USP was the knowledgeable and helpful staff and a collection wider and well curated that any other store in the city. That’s what  made it a winner.

But in 2016 it shut shop on  7^th March , after years of standing tall against the odds of digital streaming it was put on the block for sale. Due to its ideal location in the [posh and upmarket area of Fort and flanked by Jahagir Art Gallery and Maxmuller Bhavan , it was lapped up by the then famous diamantaire –Nirav Modi who tried to convert it into a Jewellery showroom . But never got around to it.

But amonst the despair there is still some hope left .With news headlines screming loud on the Nirav Modi Banking scam of more than 12000 Crores a small story got missed out  a Tweet by Industrailist Anand Mahindra putting out an idea of Crowdfunding to revive the lost icon of Rhythm House at Kala Ghoda and taking it over from the notorious Jeweller Nirav Modi and handing it to its patrons the new shareholders and owner .A great way to revive these iconic places.

As they say Umid pe duniya kayam hai .. So lets hope and pray that all these vanishing Icons are once again restored to their glory for the new generations to come.

Just Walking Around

Goa … The abode of the Gods   

What do you visualize when I say GOA .. 9 out of 10 will say Beaches , Booze and Babes. The priority and ranking will be different depending upon the person you are but given a choice chances are you will want to enjoy any one or all three.

But believe me there’s more to GOA, than just beaches and the now infamous rave parties. That’s just superficial to attract the tourist and cater to their indulgence. Dig a little deeper and you will find the real GOA. A beautiful scenic place with lots of traditional ethos and spirituality.

Goa has had a very long and tradition of Vedic and Sanskritic learning. Goa has the ancient site of Konkan-Kashi (at Diwar Island) considered by the Puranas holier than Kashi itself. The  institutions of Agrahara, Brahmapuri and Maths as eminent centres of learning which existed for Centuries . These were the three most important institutions consisting of communities of learned Brahmins whose profound scholarship attracted students from far and near. The Agraharas constituted the real universities of medieval India. Where as  Brahmapuris which were the settlement of learned Brahmins in parts of towns and the third agency that played an important role in cultural life was the Math. It was a typical Indian monastery with monks, ascetics and students living within its precincts which also served as a free boarding house.The Math tradition of Goa has survived with Goa having three key Maths of Goud Saraswat Brahmin community - Kavale Math, Gokarn-Partagali Math and Kashi Math. In order to enable these institutions to carry on their work, they were richly endowed by Kings, Chieftains and philanthrophic and wealthy citizens.

Historical records of the 11th century AD describe Govapuri “as beautiful and pleasing city, the abundant happiness of which surpassed the paradise of Indra”. The prosperity continued till the arrival of the Portugese in the 16th century. During the Golden Age, the indigenous architect found expression not only in mansions, houses and temples but varied complexes

like Agraharas, Brahmapuris and Maths”

Among the Brahmin communities of Goa, the Goud Saraswat Brahmins have always played a dominant role in religious, social, cultural and economic role of Goa. According to some sources, the first migration (700 BC) to Goa by Saraswats was directly from the Sarasvati river banks via Kutch and southwards mostly through sea routes. The three main groups who came to Goa were the Bhojas, the Chediyas and the Saraswats and maintained connections with the Kutch, Sindh and Kashmiri Saraswats. The second wave of immigrants settled at Keloshi (Quelessam) and Kushasthal (Cortallim) and were named after those villages as Keloshikars and Kushasthalikars. From here they spread to other villages. The main deities which also came along with them were Mangirish, Mahadeo, Mahalaxmi,

Kamakshi, Mahalsa, Shantadurga, Nagesh, Saptakoteshwar besides many others. Gomantak region is dotted with so many Kuladevata Temples of Saraswats which testifies to this fact

Did you know that there nearly 500 temples in this small state tucked away in each of its villages. Some operating out of old Wada’s or installed in community halls with manglorean tiled roofs. With so many temples in and around Goa is also referred as the Kashi of Western India. Most of the temples are in North Goa in the areas of Ponda, Bandoda , Cortalem , etc.

A case in point is the most famous temple of Lord Shiva the Mangeushi Temple in Priole near Ponda. Shree Manguesh temple was originally located in Kushasthali (Cortalam) and was a popular centre of pilgrimage till the Portugese destroyed it and on the original site of the temple now stands a church. In 1560 AD anticipating the onslaught of thePortugese, the devotees moved Shri Manguesh Shivalinga to a safer place in the Hindu territory of Sonde kingdom across the Zuari river. The Shivalinga was kept in a scenic surroundingson a hillock covered by forest, probably in a small hutment at a place now known as Mangueshi.

In the year 1739 AD, the Peshwas donated the village of Mangueshi to the temple. Mangueshi is still a small hamlet about 1,000 families. Subsequently, a proper temple was built around 1744 AD which was supported by wooden pillars which have been preserved even today. A new temple was built in 1890 AD which was again renovated in the year 1973.

According to Manguesh Mahatmya which forms a part of the SkandaPurana, Devasharma, one of the three later Gauda Saraswat emigrants, found the Linga near the river Agashi at Kushsthali. The discovery is a_ributed to a servant who appears to have seen Dev Sharma’s cow pouring milk from her udder everyday at the same spot and this happened to be a Linga. The word Manguesh is derived from another episode according to w hich Ishwara and Parvati were playing a game and the former lost the game and left Kailasa in a huff and wandered from place to place until he reached Gomant. Parvati went in search of him till she reached Gomant. Ishwara then assumed the form of tiger to frighten Parvati. On seeing the tiger she cried out “Trahi Mam Girish” (Protect me oh lord of the mountain). Thus the word Manguesh is derived from Mangirish. Within the temple complex there are shrines to Dev Sharma, Moolkeshwar who was the caretaker of the cow belonging to Dev Sharma and Shiv Sharma who identified the Shivalinga.The other ‘Parivar’ devata shrines are that of Virabhadra, Kalbhairav, Lakshminar ayana and Santeri. The annual festivals include the birthday of Sri Ram, AkshayaTritiya, Sri Anant Vritotsava, Navaratri (Dussera), Diwali, Mahashivaratri and Magha festival.

This year I was fortunate to witness the awe inspiring Magh Jatra Utsav , beginning on Magh Saptami withVijay Rathutsav and a grand finale on Magh Purnima with the Maha Rathutsav and Samuhik Prarthana.

On the day of poornima or full moon, the main zatra at Mangueshi is celebrated. The coconut breaking ceremony in front of the the chariot is held by the swami, followed by the mahajanas and devotees. This year, the zatra of lord Manguesh commenced on January 24 and concluded on February 2.

Every year the zatra is celebrated with great pomp and gaiety. Irrespective of their religions, a large number people participate in the annual zatras. This communal harmony has been the specialty of the region for the past several centuries. Lord Manguesh is one of such deity, whose serene temple is located at Mangueshi in Ponda, who is worshipped not only across Goa but but all around the globe. In front of the temple is a lake with a music house adjacent to it. The sangodd, a procession of the idol of Lord Manguesh in the lake during the day of Zatra is delightful and pleasing to the eyes.

The annual zatra of Lord Manguesh is held in the Hindu month of magha. A number of religious ceremonies take place during the festival. The procession of the deity on Vijayrath (chariots), Ambari (elephant) Roupyashibikotsav (silver palanquin), Rathosav are held on the occasion. On the day of poornima or full moon, the main zatra is celebrated. The path way leading upto Mangueshi Temple is lined up with shops selling various items like bag , toys , anodized silver trinkets , decorative items made of shells and conches . You have the usual merry –go-round and Giant wheels lit with neon lights sparkling away. As you near the Temple premises there are food stalls selling Garma Garam bhajji’s – Poatato and Kela and off course the Goan famous Mirchi bhajji.Eat them while they are hot and wash it dowm with Kokan Soda or the fizzy Limbu Goti Soda in those unique dark green bottles fitted with a marble for the cap. While walking towards the Temple you are awestruck with the lighting done to the entire Temple Complex. From far it looks as if the stars have descended from the sky. The Deepmala Tower with its lighting symbolizes the  guiding light one yearns for in once life. A light shining so bright it takes away the darkness and with it all the ups & downs in once life. There a huge serpentine que to have the darshan of Lord Mangesha and you move along to enter the Mangueshi Temple. There is a fore court and then  main temple. Inside One can observe the statues of Nandi, the sacred bull and Grampurush, the protector, inside the temple. The devotees request the Grampurush for granting of the prasad, through the medium of a bhat, the temple priest. Once you reach the front you are mesmerized by the flowere bedecked idol of Lord Mangesha. Such beauty and serene image , unkwoningly you feet come to stand still and palms get folded in a namaskar and a thought flashes through your mind  asking  the lord to bestow you and your family with Sukh Samruddhi Arogya and Ayshwarya  (Happiness, Abundance , Health &  Wealth ). You sit for some time inside the temple soaking in the vibrant but peaceful environment. You take the Lords blessing and move out of the Temple . Out side are again stalls selling local sweets like Khaja , Amba (Mango) vadi , Fanas (Jack fruit ) poli . Some are selling the Amsul ( cut and dried sweet sopur fruit ) used in the Goan Xacuti and fish curries .Theres also the Tirpal and pepper which are masala’s used in Goan curries.

The Maha Rathotsav is slated for 4.30 am early in the morning. This year I was fortunate to be a part of this special ceremony. A special thanks to Kamat Guruji my friend , philosophe and guide who offer me to stay at his place which stones throw away from the Mangueshi Temple. I am also thankful to Datta who accompanied me to the Temple at 5 am that early morning.

The Sun had still not risen in the sky and in the pitch dark sky you could make out the shining Temple from the approach road that we took. The Temple looked as if it was decorated with twinkling stars . In its pristine avatar the temple looked as if it was washed with milk , appearing bright white. In the Temple complex you could see nearly 5000 people queuing up for a the traditional coconut breaking ceremony.

The coconut breaking ceremony in front of the the chariot is held by the swami, followed by the mahajanas and devotees. Nearly  5000 – 6000 coconut are broken on the metal plate fixed to the Rath (Chariot) by the devotees lined up from 5am in the morning. It is said if the coconut breaks into 2 in the first throw , your wishes will be fulfilled . Mine did , hoping Lord Mangesha blessing will make my wishes come true . The ceremony is observed by GSB ladies decked up in silk saree’s and gold jewelery and other traditional fineries from the balconies of the Staying quarters / dharmashala built around the Temple. You can observe elegant old ladies seated at the balconies showering the rath with fresh flowers . Once the coconut breaking ceremony is over the heavy chariot weighing nearly a Ton and decorated with patkas and flags of red green and saffron and on which is installed the murti of Lord Mangesha is ready to be pulled by the assembled people. Yes the chariot is pulled with all the might by the devotees and taken around in a circular pradakshina around the Temple. Shouts of Parvati Pate Har Har Mahadev pierces the night sky and environment if filled with buzzing energy. The rath is accompanied by a brass band belting out fine bhakti music. 

The Rath is made to halt an 4 specificed spots where a brief puja is done and the chariot is pulled again. After two such rounds the Lord’s murthi is taken down palced in a Silver Palkhi and taken inside the Sanctum Santorum of the Temple .Where it is installed and a Samuhik Prarthana (Common Prayer) is made by the priest’s asking Lord Mangesha to bestow all those attending the ceremony and their families ,with his blessing. A  Prasad of fresh cut fruit in a dried leaf dron is distributed to all in the temple complex .

By the time I came out of the temple the sun had just risen in the sky making it a tinge of crimson. It was  as if Lord himself had used some brush strokes across the sky making the occasion even more divine.

Just Walking Around

Chatpata Chaat…..

I'm a big-time foodie and love anything chatpata.Name one person who doesn't enjoy chaats! I don't think such a person exists. So here goes my blog a dedication to the “Chatpata Chaat”

Have you observed during any of your daily shopping trips to the local market or even for the weekend shopping at say Linking Road or Hill Road Bandra , the first thing that your better half would want to try during one of the breaks during the shopping spree is the mouth watering and guiltily tasty food item .. it is the Paani Puri or the Dahi Puri at the local Chaatwala . Be it a small thela or a a hole in the wall shop selling the Chaat item you will always observe a small crowd of women buzzing around the Chaatwala bhai , asking for thoda theekha , thoda medium or ek meethi wali puri. Most often each one will have a full plate of six and then still craving for more will for “Aur teen  dena bhaiya” . To top it up a final –“Ek masala puri dena bhaiya” goes the order before handing over the money for the a scrumptious and lip smacking treate.

These typically spicy , mouth watering  all time hit snacks are known all across India by a common name “Chaat” . Each region has their own variations and unique items that are classified as Chaat. There is the Mumbai or erstwhile Bombay Chowpatty Chat . You will find a Bombay Chat counter even in as far as Bangalore or up west in Bharuch or Surat . Not to spicy not to sweet just right for the palette of the residents living in Mumbai. Though each locality will have a Chaatwala serving his wares some have become famous as the go to places for The Chaat.

Bandra Elco's ragda to riches story can be told in plates of Paani Puri made with Bisleri mineral water that to ice cold giving it a special cool quotient . Touted to be the ‘best chaat house of city’, this outlet in the famous Elco Market, serving Mumbai street food for eons now stated some where in 1970’s. It is known for creating a perfect balance between taste and hygiene. 

It's evolved into a full-fledged twin-level eatery, a Mumbai institution of sorts for chatpati chaat like delicious Dahipuri, delectable Paani Puri, Papadi Chaat and Bhelpuri still served with that irresistible cart-on-the-curb flavour. Ragda Patties (sometimes in whimsical heart shapes; "maast"), Pao Bhaji (served with brown bread) and stuffed parathas (Paneer, Gobhi, Aloo, Cheese and Garlic) are great. Desserts here are delicious - Rasmalai, Rabadi, Gulab Jamun and Kulfi are popular. Kulfi Faluda is an Elco special. Want to throw a chaat party? Call for they do catering as well and order new items like Dahi Ragda Puri and Capsicum Baby Corn Masala. P.S. It's Bollywood's pick for chaat — Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Boney Kapoor, Govinda's wife and Preity Zinta are all regulars.

During my Engineering College days we used to frequent a Sindhi Pani Puri eatery in Chmbur going simply by the name of Sindhi Pani Puri located at Navjeevan CHS, Next to UCO Bank, Vasi Naka Road, Chembur. The USP of this joint is that the masala for Pani Puri is prepared daily. You can savour this tangy, spicy treat till your heart is content and not be afraid of contracting infection; the hygienic environment here assures that.

If its Paani puri you seek but with a little bit of a twist you should try the Phuchkas in Kolkatta. The phuchkas are arranged on a plate and filled with a mix of boiled potatoes, rock salt, tamarind water, green chili and roasted masala. Seasoned with sweet and salty curd, chopped onions, coriander, rock salt, chutney and red chili powder, these phuchkas are to die for.Another specialty is the Ghoogni chaat. This one is sure to catch your attention. Soaked, boiled and tempered yellow peas are cooked with tomatoes, onions and spices. These are then served in a small leaf bowl garnished with chutney, lime juice and onions.Piping, hot and spicy -just perfect to beat the winter blues. If you like something spicy you could try the Raj Kachori a spicy kachori bowl filled with delicious A condiments like curd, papdi, chickpeas, bhujia, boiled potato, soft pakodis, sprouts, pomegranate, sweet tamarind chutney and coriander chutney. It's crunchy on the outside and soft and spicy on the inside that makes it a delicious snack. If it’s a tangy that you like you can bite into the PAPDI CHAAT Crunchy, tangy, hot and sweet flavours make it a perfect treat. The papdis are laid out on a plate and garnished with boiled potatoes, chickpeas, boondi, sprouts, chopped onions, tomato, bhujia, curd and sweet chutney. A sprinkling of rock salt, red chilli powder, cumin powder, chaat 

masala, lemon juice and coriander leaves make the snack really delicious.

Another trademark of Kolkatta is the Jhal Muri a type of bhel made from puffed rice or muri (kurmura )as they are called in Bengal. Preparation involves mixing puffed rice and chanachur in a bowl, along with onion, chili, lemon and frequently shaking the bowl. Sometimes it is prepared as a soup with tomato, pudina or cucumber. Generally it is served with thonga. Sometimes it is served with bowl.The taste is a little pungent and spicy which stays on your tongue long after you have eaten it.

Going northwards there region specific chaats like the Indori Chaat from Indore in Madhya Pradesh. Head to the Sarafa Bazaar late in the evening and you can see a burstling street with chaat wallahs and their patrons. Food vendors converge on this location to set up eateries along the road every evening. The variety is superb: samosas, kachoris, pani puri, pav bhaji, chhole tikiyas, sabudana ki khichdi, maalpua and poha to name a few. There are quite a few permanent restaurants too. Joshi Restaurant is very popular for bhutte ka kees. The Bhutte Ka Kees, which made of grated corn garnished with coriander leaves and grated coconut, just melts in your mouth. These guys also sell dahi vada, bhajiyas etc. And, yes, Mr Joshi will throw in some jugglery along with the food (you

have to request for it though). The famous khopra pattis (patties) can be sampled at Vijay Chaat House. The pattis, which are made of khopra (dry coconut) with a covering of potatoes, are fried right in front of you and served with khatti-meeti chatni.You may have eaten aloo pattis elsewhere, but khobra pattis are a must when you are in Indore.Vijay Chaat House also makes aloo mattar pattis. Pattis cost Rs 5 per piece only. You can also enjoy their samosas and kachoris.

Vijay Chaat House is a standing-only place, but I guess that is the best way to enjoy chaat.

And if you are on the topic of Chaat how can you miss the all time famous and the well known Dehli Chaat. If you are in Delhi head to Chandni Chowk to the Balaji  Chaat Bhandar also  known as Radha Swamy Chaat Bhandar, the place is so famous that when local shop owners want to eat some Chaat they only go to Shree Balaji Chaat Bhandar as their dishes have that traditional flavour that is not found anywhere else. Their Papdi Chaat which is garnished with Kaccha Aloo Chutney & Saunth (has a very unique sweet & sour flavour) makes all the difference. Another famous eatery here in Chandani Chow is the Natraj Dahi Bhalle Corner This popular joint in the bylanes of Chandni Chowk is particularly famous for its Dahi Bhalle,but its Aloo Tikki scores equally with its consistent visitors. A plate gets you 2 aloo tikkis that are prepared using potatoes, peas and gram flour and shallow fried in oil, till the tikkis are crunchy. Served with imli-gud, coriander chutney, yogurt, ginger juliennes and boiled chickpeas; the Aloo Tikki plate is absolutely divine.

One more Chaat specialist is the Ashok Chaat Corner . This legendary place is located outside the Chawri Bazar metro station exit and is known for its snaking queues and hordes of people visiting it on a daily basis for the delicious street treats. So what’s so different about them? Well their menu is quite unique in comparison to the other vendors found in the area and we highly recommend them for trying out things like Dahi Bhalle, Papdi Chaat and Kalmi Vada.

So next time you are in the mood for a little bit of indulgence on a light but lip smacking snack go for the Chaat .Not only will you mouth explode with the unique tastes and fill your belly with magical recipes it wiil also be very light on your wallet . And if you are the one who suggests your better half to cheat on her diet with a little bit of a Chaat expect that mischievious smile and a sparkle in her eyes and I guarantee you your evening would definaltely turn into a Romantic one.

Just Walking Around

I am reproducing an article written and published in my Engineering College Magazine Vishwakarma nearly 20 years ago but more relevant today more than ever…

When people find less time interacting with each other and are more on their mobiles and iPads and content at being in the Virtual World and measuring their lives with the Thumbs Up icon universal sign of Like.. So here goes a small blog..

The Art Of Small Talk

In today’s world of fast paced life no person has time for long leisurely talks with one another . Thus it has become important to know the art of small talk. The art can easily be cultivated if one knows the basic rule “act on opportunity”. The best issues on which small talk can be started are Politics , Sports and Films. Let us take these three subjects separately.

Politics as we know in India is a hotly debated topic. Where ever you go and at any time during the day. This topic is the most easy one to talk on .You need not be an expert in Political Science to talk about politics. All you need to know are some of the political figures both at the State level and National level and the latest hotly debated controversial topics related to our Neta’s  , their Scams , the Criminal –Politician nexus and such other issues. That’s all and you have a situation where in two persons or a group of people engaging themselves in a small talk about politics. But care should be taken that under no circumstances should you go into the details about this topic otherwise it may result in arguments and spoil the fun of the small talk.

The second most favored topic for small talk is Sports in broader perspective and cricket or soccer in particular. If you are a resident of Amchi Mumbai then it has to be Cricket . But to have a small conversation on this subject you need to be aware of the current series / matches being played at the time of the conversation , which part of the world they are being played . Also it’s a plus point if you know some basic Statistics such as which Bowler took how many wickets in how few balls , which batsman scored how many runs against the opponent team. What is his Strike rate and how he fares in International conditions viz-a-viz domestic flat pitches. As you know most of our Indian batsmen at Tigers on Indian brown and flat pitches and turn into meek cats when they bat on pacer friendly green tops.

But here again you need to be cautious to not delve deep into the Match history or you will be caught and bowled by a cricket crazy fan and an expert on Cricketing History who may throw Cricket statistics at you like bouncers from a West India Pacer like Ian Bishop or Curtly Ambrose. And you will bowled over in no time. Such an expert always relishes such situation where he can pounce on a gullible victims like a hungry Tiger on a meek Lamb.. Otherwise this is the safest topic to start a conversation even with a total stranger. Exchange a few lines and who know you will have found a new friend on the horizon.

I would have loved to tell you all on how to converse about film based topics but it has more gossip to it than any substance.

Anyways knowing these three subjects of Politics , Sports and Films one can easily start a small conversation ,any time ,any where and with any one ,even with total strangers . Just try it the next time you are in group and enjoy a one on one personal interaction.

Have fun..Conversing ..A real interaction than a virtual interaction.