Hyderabadi Manse

Reading "Hyderabadi Manse" a book on the history of the men in the Court of last Nizam of Hyderabad in Marathi, including the last Nizam himself! I know many Hyderabadi personalities from the Court of the last Nizam of Hyderabad who left indelible impression on my mind while I was growing up. Then, I did not understand their importance or significance in the life of my forefathers. But since last 30+ years, I started to understand what they did to the lives of my forefathers. And the study still continues! So fascinating and exiting!

The grand old man of SSP-Khushwant Singhji

Khushwant Singhji is no more! He passed away today at the grand age of 99. I got the news on my mobile app when I was in the High Court. Suddenly, my mood changed. Went in deep sorrow. Luckily, my important matters were over by then. Couldn't resist myself reading Urdu poetry this entire evening in the memory of my dear Khushwant Singhji. Urdu poetry, so near and dear to him. He was my inspiration to read and enjoy Urdu poetry besides Gulzar sahab. I learned to read and write Urdu many years back because of my admiration to these two towering personalities and of course towards Ghazals. I must add other two reasons. One, my passion for history of Nizamshahi, Hyderabad and Berar. Two, my passion for history if partition of India, especially Punjab Presidency. I am fortunate, for the last 5-6 years I could live, whenever in Delhi, at the same colony where he lived; Sujan Singh Park or simply SSP for all Delhiwalas. The colony established and constructed by his father in the name if his grandfather! RIP Khushwant Singhji. You added colours in my otherwise black and white life. 

Mishti Doi of Calcutta

Mishti Doi, for quite some time, in fact,  I mean for years, I was under the impression that it is just sweetened curd. But I must confess, I was wrong! Mishti Doi is something entirely different! Oh! it is an institution by itself! To realize what it is, you must visit one of the authentic and traditional Mishti Shop in Calcutta. It is suckled not only at dinner time but before lunch too! And not in those ugly plastic jars what we use in Maharashtra, but in real earthen Kulhad! ( I prefer to call it Kulhad as it used to be in erstwhile Bengal Presidency, rather than "Bhand" in pure Bengali) I have myself seen many Bong ladies having it directly sucking from the Kulhad or rather "Bhand" just before lunch time at Gariahat in Calcutta! The only regret, I could not click them in my camera for obvious reasons! (Though I was carrying my camera with me at that time) But believe me, the expressions on their faces were just divine! Oh, one of my friend just triggered the recent experience in my mind! Thank you my dear friend.  

Jorasanko

I am still deeply immersed in the area of Jorasanko of Calcutta. So much of original material written in the early as well as middle nineteenth century is available with me! In the mean time, I ran into the meaning of the term "Jorasanko". The book says, Jora, in Bengali, means Two and Sanko means wooden bridge. It actually refers to two wooden bridge which may be in existence much before the Tagore family built its Thakur Badi in the vicinity. Today, as I found, is the most fascinating area of Calcutta; especially at evening time! The tract between Marble Palace and Thakur Badi within Jorasanko offers the most exciting history and the buildings associated with it. Only thing is that, you should know it!     

Prince Anwar Shah Road

Recently came accross some paintings in oil paint, depicting departure and reception of sons of Tipu Sultan by Lord Cornwolis, the then Governor General at Calcutta, as hostages. The sons were initially kept at Vellore prison and then shifted to Calcutta. Today, one of the main road connecting Gariahat corner to Eastern Metropolitan By-Pass is named as Prince Anwar Shah Road; one of those sons of Tipu! I used to pass through that road almost every day during my recent visit to Calcutta and have decided to find out everything about Prince Anwar Shah, which I did!