Zohra Sehgal

Zohra Sehgal .....completing 100 years of her life today! My respects to the most naughty woman of Indian Theater............I heard so may stories about her during my innumerable jaunts to Dilli .......in particular to SSP (Sujan Singh Park), Khan Market and Lodi Gardens. Witness of pre-independence era and witness to innumerable partition stories..........she is a living legend. Once gain.......respects to Zohra ji..........may you live long.

Jumma.........the bliss......:)

Jumma.........the bliss in city like Aurangabad......I never miss the Jumme ki shaam in the old walled city, whenever I am in Aurangabad on Jumma.......the aroma of traditional Itter ki Biryani all over........ filled in huge "Degs" added with carts and carts of Anda Bhurji/Omlette Paav Spots......mixed with the new phenomenon of Tawa Spots which are essentially various Chinese preparations modified for Indian taste buds :) If compared with the authentic Chinese preparations I tasted in country like Mauritius or in city like Kolkata. The Chinese will run away if asked to try this one!!! The Tawa Spots are purely Indian tastes served in the guise of Chinese food! But......... even then I accepted it because it really tastes fantastic!  Riot of garlic and onions in most of the preparations! Banged with cotton seed oil (Kardi ka tel) which is typical of Deccan (read Aurangabad and Hyderabad). :) To top all this.......there is Aurangabadi Paan..........yet another bliss.......:)))

U la la U la la :)

The grievance yesterday all over the social media was why a National Award wining film can not have national telecast? The legal answer according to me is....well....firstly we do NOT have clear definition of what is A, U/A, U and blah blah certification yet! The film has A certification..........now when entering inside the cinema hall, you need to produce proof of your age, if asked, to view a film certified as A, and then..... if it is aired on national or international channels............then??????? Who and How do you verify the age of the viewer??? The law is grey more than black and white sometimes :) Think on these lines. You will feel happy! U la la U la la............LOL..........

Mumbai in my mind

Mumbai....even today, in my mind, is limited from Colaba to Mahim and Ballard Pier to Sion only..........and not beyond. Because I was essentially a Matunga-Dadar guy for good number of years. Bandra, Andheri, Goregaon and Thane were the local stations where you get down from train only to watch movies when the tickets were not available in any talkies in Mumbai...........Today??? Well, the whole concept and geography has changed!!! The movies are available on your TV screen right in your home. No matter where you live! Technology..........you should only know.... how to use it!

Chicken Baida Rolls

What is known today as Chicken Baida Rolls.....are all together different in Mumbai, Aurangabad and Dilli. In Mumbai....though it tastes good, it is mechanical. There are joints in Mahim and Colaba. But to be honest, they all are just mechanical. Routine. In Aurangabad......the truly Mughlai city even today......it gives the taste of Jannat.... yes, just heavenly......the secret lies in the herbs which are added in it. And the herbs are available.... luckily even today....... in the mountains of Ajanta and Ellora......the traditional Mughal era route to Dilli from Deccan. In Dilli.....the authentic ones are available even today.....only at Urdu Bazaar, (opp. Red Fort). Above all, the purpose of writing all this is that, I found the authentic ones with herbs et all today in Aurangabad itself.............and just half a kilometer away from my home!!! There is this old Urdu saying....though it is in respect of a girl, I can't resist quoting it for these rolls "jisko dhund rahe the gali gali........woh makaan ke pichwade nikli" :)))

Samosa

Samosa......the great Indian snack.....seamlessly adopted throughout India except in South. When inserted in your mouth by yourself via pudina and then in imli chutny......it creates ripples inside. In Mumbai, in mid 1980's, it was divided, as Patti Ka Samosa and Punjabi Samosa. Of course, for ppl like me, patti ka samosa was the ultimate word. In the months of winter, patti ka samosa filled with fresh green peas and aaloo with sumptuous secret masalas or finely minced mutton kheema mixed with fresh green peas and occasional aaloo with secret masalas, was the sight and feeling of heaven! Just imagine, early morning cool breeze of humid Mumbai and patti ka creaspy samosa.....with riot of chutniys....topped with masala chai with still warm paav fresh from  bakery! The simple remembrance is just divine even today!