“Dharavi is the largest slum in Asia,” our guide Jitu said, who had grown up in Dharavi. His hand moved wide to show the expanse and his words are laced with pride. This fact is no longer true, for a slum in Karachi, Pakistan* has overtaken Dharavi. But his pride made me look down at my feet enclosed in shoes to brave the overflowing gutters and … Continue reading boundaries of consent: a walk through dharavi
The annual Feast of Nativity of Mary is here and with it the Bandra Fest. If you’re wondering how you can be a part of it, without getting bogged down by the thronging crowds, stalls, noise… then check out this post. This is specially customised walking tour around Mount Mary Church in Bandra. Two birds with one stone – helps you discover old parts of this suburb before it became the hip-n-happening place it is today and experience the energy of the Bandra Fest. Follow the google map, or create your own tour. It’s upto you! Welcome to the Bandra & Bandra Fest tour! Continue reading bandra & the bandra fest: your walking tour guide!
If you’ve lived in Mumbai even for a short while you would have come across Churchgate station — that is the first stop on the Western line at the extreme South of Mumbai. But what many people do not know is the reason why it’s called Churchgate? Don’t we sometimes say words so often we even forget why they must have had an origin? What’s the ‘Church’ and … Continue reading the “church” in churchgate
An honest confession, I haven’t seen too many museums in India. And the few I have seen are mostly archaeological museums. I enjoy them, but after a point I get a little bored. I’m an interested but not a passionate museum visitor and I need more variety. A line of statues belonging to the same period, are great, but I am unable to see the differences. Imagine if … Continue reading Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum, Mumbai – main exhibits!
this piece recently appeared at thealternative.in. i don’t know how many of you subscribe to your facebook page so thought might make sense to paste it here too. let me know what you think. catch the original piece here: the pyaus of an erstwhile bombay. (yes, not everyone appreciates or understands my love for the democracy of smallcase.. so i listen. caps it is) The … Continue reading The pyaus of an erstwhile Bombay
my article: “6 water bodies with a story to tell” is now up at The Alternative. this piece talks about crocodiles, 17th c rain water harvesting and a bubbling tank – amongst other things! let me know other water bodies with crazy stories that you have come across while traveling or in your city. pasting the link and text below. 6 Water Bodies in India with … Continue reading 6 water bodies with an unusual tale
there are many buildings in india that could do with a little more attention, a little more investment and a little more love! one startling example is right here in mumbai. this was a glorious hotel in the heydays of the british empire here in bombay. it was the tallest building and it overlooked the beautiful bombay harbour. it was said that a ship coming … Continue reading abandoned
mumbai is a city that has a lot to offer. i really believe that, i’m not just partial. but it’s also true that a lot of people dismiss the city; seen that happen on thorn tree repeatedly. i think that largely happens because of three reasons: traffic, density of people and concentration of visible heritage sites only in one part of the city. and once you’re … Continue reading 4 things to do in mumbai that aren’t in a guidebook
yazdani bakery is an irani cafe. it was opened by meherwan zend in 1953, a parsi baker. the building was originally a japanese bank, but then later sold off. run by the third generation now, it had about it a quaintness… like all irani cafes it seems like a lack of maintenance, things just seem to lie about, as is… and as always was! i don’t … Continue reading irani cafes of mumbai: yazdani bakery, fort
there is this quaint part hidden in the midst of a large, hip suburb with big buildings on either side with a suspension bridge on the third stuck in time. between modernity. this little village. stays afloat. islamic architecture melts into christian porches crosses at every turn that date to the 17th century. drying teddy bears dot today’s presence graffiti welcomes in freedom of expression … Continue reading walking down the lanes of bandra…
merry to go around 