Memoirs of mother

"I don't want to eat usal...I just don't feel like it...it tastes just a bit too raw...why don't you make a goan style curried pulse?" was the retort I gave my mother one fine Monday. "usals" or dry pulse vegetable gave me hives always, as the individual smell of the pulse actually got accentuated when pulse was prepared in such form.This especially held true for pulses like "matki" or moth beans. They always managed to give me hives. Lunch time came and I dreaded what lay ahead. There was salad, hot chapattis, cabbage dried sabji and a liquid something, which was blackish in color.definitely not goa style curry. the first thing where something seemingly insipid is seen by me, I smell it. from the smell I understand if it vegetarian or non vegetarian (advantages of non vegetarian turned vegetarian), if it can be palatable etc. Now this blackish green beauty (?) had a lovely burnt coconut smell.


I like coconut. as garnish,as curry (goan veg curry), in sweets, in chocolates (bounty...I love you) as base to cook a green vegetable or banana chips fried in coconut oil, or munching it just like that in form of prasad. it shows how coconut has seeped into my coastal influence. incidentally my better(?) half hates coconut. now can you understand why I don't cook that well at my place? no motivation at all (jis dish mein coconut na ho balama us dish ko chakhna nahi hehe) here I drift again.


So this dish had a burnt or shall I say roasted coconut smell.garnished with finely chopped coriander (an art I have never mastered...what I cut looks like mowed grass hehe...here I go again) with goda masala,chilly pwd, turmeric and a hint of tamarind...the taste was divine...needless to say I finished to sabji and later had a misal of it at tea time..its flavours more intensified...and the overall content truly divine...Jai jai aai:)

After a real real long hiatus:'arrival of sid'

"baby",the word evokes thousands of images. for me though it evokes images of my lovely small devil called Siddhant.

Since the day we understood that we are going to have a lovely addition to our family, things have been a real roller coaster, with my better(?) half going to USA for a real long term...and me staying at my best friend's (read mothers) place. travelling daily for 2 hours to and from office, and mr/ms(didn't know that yet) baby making me want to throw up a lovely breakfast at the drop of the hat...things that were relished earlier were promptly gave nausea...
even before the baby arrived, my lifestyle changed completely. it became more healthy and wholesome. now came the difficult part. the delivery. it was not as bad nightmare as people had magnified. and "siddhant babu" (as his paternal grandfather lovingly calls him) arrived in this papi duniya...robustly crying the moment he arrived.
my life revolved now 24 hours around him. the lovely 8 hour sleep and afternoon nap was given a "dicchu" but happily. it gave me less time to call friends or even pick up their calls, run errands or even check mails, leave alone blogging. one roar from the sherkhan and we were ready to duck in. Things started settling after a month and they are still settling.
In spite of all this, my blog will still continue. its the same as my not that shapely self will come back to its "long legs" proportion. it will just take some time. maybe not every week, but surely will strive for once in a month affair.it will give me more zest and vigour to handle "sid".
Btw, if you are wondering who is that, that's him, the second man in my life :)

I am not loving it...at all:(

I was seeing this advertisement flashing…for spicy delights on hoardings by the roads or in newspaper…making a seemingly normal food affair tempting and just out of the world.


I never fall for this evil and nothing in McDonalds please me anyways. It tastes downright bland, tasteless and Yuk…and not at all appetizing. But I thought something really good. Especially when the TV commercials said that it’s downright spicy, I somehow thought why not try it. And the Sunday promenade with momma dearest gave me an opportunity to taste it. I shelled an exorbitant 95 rs. for the a ‘mc spicy paneer’. It should have rung a bell of alarm but unfortunately it didn’t. But yes, coldish parcel did. I wondered if the burger was directly from the freezer. We came home, amidst of drizzling rain. And I opened the parcel first, mainly because of curiosity and later wondering. The closed pizza of merwans left behind. A mistake made. A brown bag gave way to white pristine hard cardboard gift like box, my self anticipated more. But perceptions can be misleading. The bread was fresh which was a relief since once my better(?) half and I had stale bread burgers in a McDonalds in thane. I bit in to it. And please give me a break; it didn’t take me to 7th cloud or rather even to first one. The first bite did not resemble ambrosia or a delight. It was cold tasteless stuff, sprinkled sparingly with a spicish sauce .the only thing that was required and which was in such a less quantity. The lettuce lacked the crunch and cabbage or mayonnaise. The fat wedge of paneer which was sandwiched between the two buns was cold and tasteless. It looked fiery red, but the color had little to do with bland taste. It lacked the soul of tandoori paneer or paneer tikka. The smell…no smell at all…the hybrid kind…nothing of its own. The paneer was just a piece of “staedler” rubber. A cold paneer pakoda or bhajias would have definitely tasted better. I have tasted the rubbery kinds of paneer in our office canteens and luscious heavenly paneer in some curries in good weddings. And mind you, this reminded me of the office canteen stuff. Strictly avoidable. I don’t know about the non vegetarian stuff, bur definitely the vegetarian stuff was out of the world. This new addition McDonald’s list was definitely a punishment from hell and if you are a glutton for punishment, go ahead and have it. I am always happy with my garam vada pao …at least its Indian spicy and warm.

Pintya

This song is from the movie shaitan, having some other such good (I mean different) songs. A twist from the usual lovey dovey songs. When I first heard of this song , it was through a colleague who was humming “pintya chi handi phutli re pintya gela re gela”, I thought that he had lost it, since he was under tremendous work pressure. I started laughing “ Nice combination mota bhai (he is a guju)” I said sympathetically. His mischevious eyes cringed at the corners “abbey..ye sacchi mein gana hai??”, I looked at him puzzled, “haan baba. Ye gana “shaitan” mein se hai…its used as a chase song…between an honest and corrupt inspector”. I didn’t say a thing…but my food oriented antennas suddenly sprung to life. Those who have been following this blog dutifully (excluding Umang ofcourse ) must have come to know till now, that unless a lovely song actually holds my attention, only weird songs can rouse me and make me taptaptap on the blog (except lovely food…but I am not very keen in turning my blog to food blog yet) so “pintya” stayed in my mind. Refusing to go. The first thing that I did when I returned after break was download the song. But earphones not in sight. Finally a day later, having loaned them from a colleague, I heard this song. The start brought a tingle down my spine, and I knew instinctively that I will love this song. One more addition in my overflowing basket of sidey songs 
The song starts with an “aroli/ a sudden shrill and loud shout” , that is very typical in folk music in Maharashtra.and later with rythmatic beats on dhol and “peep/pipani” , the song starts “pintya chi handi phutli re pintya gela re gela”…guitar comes a bit later, the electric beats mingling with the desi instruments making a lovely “bhel” that is not quiet Indian nor western. A totally folk music bhanang/bhel. Spicy but not overly..with a dash of lemon. If you have heard the song “govinda re gopala” on gokulashtami, you will somehow find this song very much close to that song, and a part of which is also included in the song. (you can actually visualize the chase) The voice of the singer has an apt rawness , no refinement and technically rightness. A more simple voice which still has that rustic innocence.
I don’t know how many of you actually know laxmikant berde, one of the best comedy actors of his time. There was a movie of his which came called “hamaal de dhamaal” in which there was a song called “Dhakkumakum - Govinda Re Gopala”, now in this song not only there is pintya, but the song also has govinda re gopala…some similaries, the music being a bit similar, pintya is still unique in its own way.
This song definitely makes me feel like dancing like I have lost it…has anyone seen “balya” dance, then maybe you can understand what kind of dance this song requires.
As always “pintya” is reigning in my now playing list to be heard again and again

Current obsession

Mangoes are long gone…esp. my love hapoos but new obsessions come and go. With medu vada making me sick this week, making me regret of not eating veg/vegetable cheese sandwich instead, I finally turned to chutney sandwich today. Having lovely fluffy soft idlis and Sāmbhar with bobbling tomato bits but at 7.30 am in the morning and with the “chotu giant” in my stomach, I managed to get famished by 10.30 am. Our office has a completely forgettable canteen (which incidentally had only one good item which was medu vada…that monster which made me sick for two days) and an OK lovely sandwich corner. The reason for this compliment is that since this sandwich corner came to existence, my remaining ties with the dreaded canteen got severed. If no lunch, there is veg/vegetable cheese club sandwich, and breakfast usually is a veg/vegetable cheese toast or sandwich (cheese n veg/vegetable constant ha-ha). Evening again sandwiches of above kind. But today I was not that in a mood for a toast or a heavy veg/vegetable cheese (strange but true) and I thought of chutney sandwich (not existing in menu) “chutney sandwich milel kai?” (my love for ma langue maternelle crops up at moments when I see that the person serving is Marathi speaking, be it the lovely lady who is assisting in the rest room, or the gentle security guard who greets me good morning every time I give my bag for scrutiny in the office or the BEST bus conductor or driver or a rickshaw driver a shopkeeper in vile Parle, I feel really encouraged to use Marathi…and in this case the sandwich maker…now this is the height of digressing ) after paying a real modest 10 rs, I caught hold of the plate having a simple yet amazing fare. What it would do to my taste buds was yet to be experienced.
The bread was brown (real brown bread since this one crisps when toasted/grilled and not turn to be chewy, which a white bread slice does) and there were three slices of bread ,quartered, neatly arranged one upon the other. Non toasting had kept the bread moist and soft. The edges removed (a waste). A bite sent me to fluffy cloud 7. The slices abundantly buttered…diet may be damned (and currently not required), with a thinner but adequate layer of fiery green chutney. Each bite was fragrant and soft as cotton, flavored with garlic, ginger, coriander leaves and green chilly chutney, salty with addition of a bit of salt and pepper for taste, and of course the slippery, smooth saltiness of yellow amul butter. The quarters got over just a bit soon, leaving me satiated only physically but mentally I wanted to have just one more bite of chutney sandwich

gaiir dekhne mein gair kya hai

Marathi/ regional language movies didn’t give me hives, but I managed to see them half heartedly leaving aside some precious gems like “ashi hi banvabanvi”, “gammat jammat “and”gupchup gupchup” and more recently “aga bai arrecha”“jeta”,”mumbai-pune -mumbai” end now “gair”

I am not allergic to comedy, but recent comedy definitely never ceases to give me hives.(pls mr bharat. Mr siddharth and mr makarad I am not ur ardent devotee) so when I came across premire of this movie on “star pravah” I was skeptical. Mom and I wondered if its next agnisakshi kind of movie. The movie started and half hearted with a book I started watching. Within half an hour I kept a marker in the book and started watching the movie closely. The songs were forgettable and forgotten soon. But yes, they were well placed and not too many crammed, cropping up at inopportune moments.

The movie was pure suspense and if you have not seen it, it’s definitely a two time see. Once to get the feel of the movie and next time to enjoy the feeling. The story is classy, and suspense is not revealed an ounce till the end. Not many complications, but the way of direction is great with no stretching the story and an apt end.Definitely, Gaiir is now in my list of all time watch moviesJ

On first rains of the season

Its u...the much awaited monsoon.
Fooling day in day out with black fleece in the sky but not once yeilding.
The earth gaping wide wouthed at the sky...wondering when tiny blobs quench the thirst.
Then one fine day...you came for the first time.
In a hurry...as if you are late to go somewhere.
Your visit was harried and hurried yet you came.
The earth relaxed with the clumps of droplets,your scent a tella tale sign that you were there
The flowers gurgling in laughter with the sudden treat.
The grass lush green and fresh
The feeling was good...the first rains in season ...here you come

Dhila character haha

Loved you. That’s all I can tell about this song. Sidey songs I love you. The song begins with a shehnai? Neeraj sreedhar starts with the preppy tune…”main karu to saala character dheela hai..” now “ishak ke naam se” had me wondering what the hec is the word…the mouth formed an oh “accha …ishq”…the song is good…foot tapping kind. The same way as was “I hate love stories” title song..The lyrics are good and especially a funny note to something deeper…what actually love boils down to JJ
Not much to say about the music of the song. The song has no bends, nothing special per se in music except the omnipresent shehnai in the background. Peppy definitely, long remembered…definitely notJ another “shilla” and “munni”
Unfortunately I didn’t manage to see the song on screen. But heard there is the “pyar hua ikraar hua” scene from shree 420, and a mogul-e-azam scene with anarkali and salim…now that seems to be a lovely visual parody…
Definitely after the song ends for a long time my mouth hummed “main karu to saala character dheela hai”

Long time and absolutely no blogging

Long time and absolutely no blogging. Life without oxygen. But nothing good came out of my not that good head. But yes I do have some things to think about.
I was wondering about children and habits and how molding really makes them or breaks them. If the molding is right and proper, not too constricting but at the same time not a free style.
The topic came to my mind because of some disturbing factors. I won’t go into the nitty- gritties of them. But yes I can definitely quote some incidents as and when they come.
I always like polite people not servile(=willingness to please others, http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/servile ) definitely. And that applies to children too. I am amazed when I hear a 1.5 year old girl blabbering “thanku” each time a potato chip is offered to her and best, gives the current chip when she is offered a new one. Amazing isn’t it? I am amazed at how children at that small age learn to say a sorry or a thank you. But yes one of the reasons is definitely the environment in which the child has grown. If the environment is conducive and if the caregivers knowingly or unknowingly imbibe such values, then definitely such children grow up to be better individuals.
Now came the part 2 of the thoughts. An 8 year old child “for fun” knocks an elder. There is no remorse in his actions just plain pleasure. No guilt on causing pain to another, no sorry, just plain happiness. And the parent just asked what happened. And after knowledge, just feigned indifference. No guilt over the child’s actions, not explaining to the child that whatever the child has done is wrong. Now that was something.What do we exactly teach our children at such times? That hitting is OK? It is cool? That you don’t need to be sorry? That if someone is in pain be happy? What will such children be when they grow up? Thankless? Insensitive? Or a start of antisocial behavior. Is it the duty of the parent to stop such activity when it happens? Drilling some much required sense in the child or just like an ostrich refuse to hear anything negative against the child? Over nurturing the good and over nurturing the bad? What will be the future of such child? He may be successful in his/her profession, but will he/she will be a successful human being? Questions and questions. Now the quest lies in finding answers to such questions and trying to implement those answers for future.

The life’s experiences.

There comes a patch in your life. It can’t be exactly called as rough but definitely eye opener. I cannot call it bad. Since there is nothing called as bad patch in our life. It can always be called as good patch when everything is smooth and then there is bad patch where we learn. Honestly do. Deceptions, lies and nonsense. If you are a hard core straightforward who doesn’t understand politics then you are all confused but if you are straightforward, it’s hard to keep the mouth shut without gagging.
I like such patches in life. I won’t say I love such patches, but I like such patches because they have never ceased to teach me something. It is through such patches that I have learnt “never say die” attitude and “try everything at least twice before quitting ” attitude.This time however I got the best lesson in life. “people who are there with you through the toughest situations are actually your friends”.I got a few jolts and my mouth dropped open at times. Friends whom I considered as “mine” actually turned out to be strangers. But yes I found a few genuine gems, and with them in my life, I think all the other “fauxes” can be tolerated. With maybe a bit misty eyes and an understanding smile on the lips. To all of you who have always been with me, I am forever indebted to you

The hiatus ends with my love mangoes

Hope to continue writing...Umang...pls ping once in a while to promt me to write:):)

As the summer starts, my heart waits for the first bite of luscious mango. “hapus” or “alphonso” to be precise. The perfect ripe shapely fruit, wrinkled, slightly freckled at the stem,The Silken, firm orange-yellow flesh, sweet as nectar and fragrance like ambrosia. Eating an “alphonoso” mango is experiencing heaven it self. A visual, olfactory, tactile and gustatory experience.
Mango in any form is welcome in my heart. The current next best form (the first form is bites of ripe orange fruit itself) is milkshake. As milk is currently required in my diet and milk in itself tastes pathetic…a combination of both as milkshake is a boon for me. Cold with ice water, a bit of sugar , chunks of un pureed mango, yellowed concoction surely opens the paths to paradise. The glass just gets over too soon. You close your eyes and the tongue greedily licks those last delicious dregs…

The road to paradise

I have never experienced that feeling before. Of utterly wanting something, and at the instant.I resisted it. it was a small voice at first. But then my self, wanted it, and I couldn't wait for another 2 minutes let alone the next day. I had a heavy dinner of rice rotis and sabji but this want which was nagging, was nagging for a real long time. a germ of an idea first which blew out of proportion. I just wanted sweet sheera and I couldn't wait for another minute. "I am making sheera just now" I told my mother whose eyes reflected open mouthed surprise wondering what has really gone wrong in her normally sane daughter.I took a kadhai, heated some ghee, roasted the rava, and almonds (these delights taste divine when crispy and in halva they taste good). when rava was brown I added twice the milk, sugar, a mashed smallish banana, and a spoon and a half of drinking chocolate. the concoction formed. Barely covering for a few minutes for most of the rava to cook, i had the mix in the plate, with some for my mom n dad. "you should have allowed rava to cook for some time" my expert mother said as a matter of factly. but I was not within hearing distance. I was already climbing my steps to heaven with the bowlful of choc halwa

Hit me baby one more bite

Now I was way back home, waiting for the bus. it was late but the bus was just around the corner. a turn, and it would come to the stop where I was waiting. I had my "chota" tiffin of grapes and sapota (chickoo). But anything and everything authentic still holds my attention. but there was nothing that could hold my sight. Chats (nah...never that inclined), samosa and vada (night time so no acidity...I love my sleep) and then I saw it.it seemed to be roasted peanut stall at first. after 3rd and 4th glance I went and i saw it. it looked different. I steered my self away from it. the bus would be there at any moment. but my eyes strayed again at the stall, I went and I finally asked "kitneka? (for how much)", the vendor nonchalantly replied "5rs" "ek de dena" I said. now I wondered what all will he add. this was a typical open stall, with no frills, the kind which is used for selling vegetables..it had soaked brown chana (gram) in one cane basket, and soaked green peas in another. there were shelled non roasted peanuts in another. some poha (beaten rice) in the next and mamra (puffed rice) there was strictly one metal dabba (box) which I later understood held utterly fiery chutney. then there were his meagre tools of trade. an iron wok (kadhai) filled 1/4 with hot sand that stood on makeshift chulla (stove) that got its fuel from small thin blocks of wood, an iron jhaari (slotted spoon) and a strainer to strain the sand. the vendor first added a handful of chana and green peas in the hot sand and started tossing the whole mixture. I desperately wanted him to finish his work as the bus was almost coming. he patiently half roasted the chana and peas he then added the ground nuts. and after a few minutes added the puffed and beaten rice. he continued roasting. n my patience was slowly wearing. "teekha ki saada (spicy or plain)?" he asked. "teekha" I said, my eyes at the bus. I almost told him to keep the mixture to himself. but then he was done, loading the mix in a thonga /pudi (conical paper makeshift container). the container was hot and steam wafted from it. I took the bus on time and took the window seat. it was only after I seated and the smell of garlic and green chilles could not hold me any longer that I started devouring the stuff. the chana and peas needed a bit more roasting, as I never prefer pulses cooked medium or rare (almost not cooked) the puffed and flattened rice added just the right crunch that was required. but what added the zing, minute spreading of gustatory bombs on the poor tongue, was the "chutney" that was added. made of roughly ground green chillies, garlic and a hint of ginger...it was lovely. Ambrosia definitely. I was happy that I didnt let this experience go away not saving it for tomorrow.

The display window

This is for you...the person, just so instrumental in making me continuing with the blog, (always asking...have you written anything recently??? and bookmarking my blog) which would have faded out after a while. I never really dedicated anything for you. But today and for this memory I dedicate this to you. Thanks Umang :) hope you keep me encouraging as much as you have before. Even if you are only one who reads it and sends a lovely opinion. Thanks again, and pls pls pls keep reading:)

I am a libran and I love color. color and variety in every form. But what actually holds my interest are display windows.
I like to see clothes display so that I get a hint of current trend and colors. I see Saree display at some of the shops, and when I find a "piece" I can buy for my mother or MIL. I love to see shoe displays as even if I am not shoeholic...I do love to see different designs and trends in shoes. what really holds my interest are small display "dabbas" at the local biscuitwala or grocery store. it is from these shops that I got my first taste or kasuri methi and kalounji... supermarkets hold less appeal to me. I try to but they just seem so cold.
I remember now defunct shop in the market near my mother's place. it was a real "4by4" shop that sold biscuits and farsan of all kinds.I didn't insist my mother or grandmother (on Saturdays when we had weekly "chutti" from school and I tagged along with her to the nearby temple)anytime but yes when she asked it was always "AA sweets kaju wadi (again defunct)". There were tangy small spheres coated in red/maroon or black and insides was surprisingly tangy. there were "extra strong" big and small coins , then there were multicolored or peppermint pellets (insides of mint with a hole), there were ravalgaon toffees and milk "golis" and who can forget "zebra" golis which had black and white stripes all over, tasting pepperminty.
Coffee bites were rare and so were catburys eclairs (which came in gold,orange and brown cover then) they were that rare treat but yes these chocolates were at our disposal and always confused libran asked for all...a small bit of this and that. There was jeera goli and "badishep" which was fennel seeds/saunf encased in hard boiled colorful sugar, there were "goldcoins" of caramel and "cigarette boxes" with long sticks of peppermint with tops in pink, and which had some kind of cartoon photo as free gift (without that advertised, on the small rectangular carton or otherwise). there were long thin plastic packets which contained red, green and yellow sugar balls and "paan masala", the yellow and red transparent covered white lollipops of some nameless company..the "parle" rose mint and peppermint (incidentally most or all of these toffees or chocolates (we called all candy as chocolates whether they had chocolate flavour or not) are now extinct, except rose mint that I tasted recently, some of the biscuit types like "top" or "embassy cream" biscuits too are no longer existing). there were animal shape/ ramakada biscuits and those which had alphabets written on them, then there were small button biscuits ... there were long ribbons of red fiery spicy banana wafers, a bit milder miri wafers and tasty "kela" wafers. though all three were made of kela or raw banana...we had names to distinguish all three."miri" never held much interest but "kela" and "tikhat(spicy)" wafers still hold my sister's and my interest. next was farsaan and "bhavnagri" gathi which were fried snacks with lots of ajwain or "jaadi/fat" gathi, which I still love with spicy chilly garlic sauce. There was "tikhat/spicy" or "saada"potato sali and of course some unknown company's potato wafers, which then came only in classic salted flavour, and without the frill..."Lays" somehow didn't make an entry in the market and minds till then.
Display windows also take me to see punjabi ghasitaram "anarkali" and "chumchum" and all such decorated bangali sweets of punjabi ghasitaram...again I could never make a choice here. and though I took something very preety I could never bring my self to eat it, that delicate confection.
it was then. but now I see these and such display windows for sole reason...to find some such gems which are somehow lost in the history of time...just to give a hint of what a simple childhood it was then...minus demands, minus brands and minus a lot of cartoon network.

Another delight in my life

Seasonal delights. thinking of them bring smile n "raal" on my lips. my love shifts but I don't forget my old love. come the next season and I again fall in love with the same delight. my love affair with hapus aam is world famous. or at least family famous. come summers and I enjoy not only Alphonso mango, but also lovingly blushing juicy peaches, lychees giving their juice ...m simply delightful (that applies to all fruits...I love fruits that are naturally sweet n don't have that sick starchy taste that old apples get...I love apples that break with a "tac") rainy season and its time for vadapavs (whose daily indulgences continue anyways...monsoon to bas bahana hai) and of course bhutta and come winter its time for lovely nagpuri tangy sweet oranges (which got conveniently got replaced in the market with US stamped orange sweet limes...only they are worse...orange in color but taste overly sugary and smell not even remotely orange) and of course wet chana or solana or harbhara. come winter and some simple poor looking vendor at normal market (not nirmal life style) sit with these harbharas/chana/wet grams. at times with their foliage at times without. the foliage if fresh can be made into lovely liquidy green vegetable. but usually its fed to horses :)
these harbharas or solanes come with their outer waxy cover (of no use) or nicely peeled and ready. (nicely peeled are definitely more costly) my mother used to get these peeled ones at times in winters when I was small and used to make a lovely fried chana with it. but this time I tasted something extraordinaire...I had roasted wet grams.
It so happened that weary and exhausted I got down from the bus from office, and dragging already weary feet home. this person would have gone unnoticed but I saw him. nonchalant, he was roasting something which from far looked like peanuts. I am not fan of peanuts, though I like them as a snack...esp rajkot peanuts...(I am digressing from the topic again). something made me glance again as I neared the vendor. the smell was divine and what was roasting were not peanuts but wet gram, with skins on. the smell was wet and salty...the person was roasting them in salt...such a lethal combination that I came to understand later, after almost being addicted to the daily fix. for trial sake i had a packet of 5 bucks.small but felt sufficient for the amount, I paid and carrying the hot packet, trudged ahead. some grams could be eaten just like that...with skin and all. the skin and the green gram inside were just so young that a brushing of salt made them utterly delectable. roasted not till charcoal but just to cook the chana. somehow it was salt that brought more flavour to the chana. Freshly sweetish and salty, a bit warm having distinct roasted smell. The first bite had an oomph. caring a damn about what people though, I engrossed my self in eating chana and trudging ahead. The journey home never felt just so short. the last chana ended, the mouth still had the taste. a daily fix definitely till the last one is eaten :)

Currently listening…

“tera bimar mera dil”, “naam mera premkali (usne mera naam liya...taotaotaodio...maine jiya tham liya taodaio tio diao { ahem..tio dio is music})”, “na jane kahan se ayi hai”, “gadbad ho gayi” and “bhoot raja”.
You must actually be wondering what am I talking about. These are the songs from the yesteryear movie of absolutely gorgeous sridevi in double whammy, called “chaalbaaz”.
It starred some of the best comedian villans in form of shakti kapoor as balmaa and anupam kher.
The weird voices in “gadbad ho gayi” and the filming of “na jaane kahan se ayi hai”. Sridevi looks amazing fresh in the movie but rajnikaant, totally underutilized. Hearing “gadbad ho gayi…chutti mil gayi” still brings a smile on my face. A definitely worth hearing songs…

Esp.dedicated to you on valentine's day:)

The initial years I will always call my teething period as we fought and mostly never called a truce. battle of titans shall I say? both stubborn and sticking their guns when opportunities called for. but the three years tamed the wildest of animals. and yes attimes I actually wonder if I never really appreciate you bieng in my life...its for you my always misunderstood better(?) half...hope this conveys even the half of what I wanted to say.

kaise mujhe tum mil gayi, kismat pe aaye na yakin
utar aayi jheel mein, jaise chaand utarata hai kabhi

houle haule, dheere se

gunguni dhup ki tarah se tarnnum main tum
chhuke mujhe gujari ho yu
dekhu tumhe, ya main sunu
tum ho sukun, tum ho junun
kyun pehle na aayi tumkaise mujhe tum mil gayi, kismat pe aaye na yakin

main toh yeh sochata tha, ke aaj kal uparwale ko fursat nahi
phir bhi tumhe banaake woh, meri nazar mein chadh gaya

rutbe main woh aur badh gaya

badale raaste jharne aur nadi, badale dip ki tim tim
chhede zindagi dhun koi nayi, badali barkha ki rimjhim
badlengi rituye ada, par main rahungi sada

usi tarah teri baaho mein baahe daalake, har lamaha, har pal

jindagi sitaar ho gai, rim jhim malhaar ho gai
mujhe aata nahi kismat pe apani yakinkaise mujhko mil gayi tum

Courtesy: Film:Ghajini

Song 2

i' ll be all right, i' ll be all right

tu hai to tedhi medhi rahein, ulti pulti baatein seedhi lagti hai

tu hai to jhoothe muthe vaadein, dushman ke iraade sacche lagte

in hainjo dil mein taare vaare de jaga, woh tu hi hai, tu hi hai

jo roote roote de hasa tu hi hai wohi

jaane kyun dil jaanta hai, tu hai to i' ll be all right - (2)

saari duniya ek taraf hai, ek taraf hai hum

har khushi to door bhage, mil rahein hai gum

but when u smile for me, world seems all right

yeh meri zindagi pal mein khil jaaye, jaane kyun

jaane kyun dil jaanta hai, tu hai to i' ll be all right - (2)

yeah yeah yeah i' ll be all right, i' ll be all right....

chhote chhote kuch palon ka dostana yeah

jaane kyun abb lag raha hai jaana maana yeah

cos when smile for me, world seems all right

yeah saare pal yehi yuhi tham se jaaye, jaane kyun

jaane kyun dil jaanta hai tu hai to i' ll be all right - (2)

tu hai to tedhi medhi rahein, ulti pulti baatein seedhi lagti hai

tu hai to jhoothe muthe vaadein, dushman ke iraade sacche lagtein hain

jo dil mein taare vaare de jaga woh tu hi hai, tu hi hai

jo rote rote de hasa tu hi hai wohi

jaane kyun dil jaanta hai, tu hai to i' ll be all right - (2)

Courtesy: Film:Dostana

The ultimate nectar of summer.

I never liked fizz and fizz drinks...they never really quenched thirst, especially in the summers. To tell literally your body "mange more”. The thirst just does not end. This always makes me resort to nimbu paani or shikanji (ultimate and all time favorite) cold chaas/buttermilk, kokum sherbat and aam panna (the weakness) and of course "usacha raas" or sugarcane juice. Incidentally my better (?) half loves sugarcane juice and whenever we would venture out in sultry afternoons we would always stop for this “ganne ka juice”
It was this nectar that brought my mother and me to its solace after trudging a bit to get some weekdays preparations done on Sunday evening. After contemplating between half and full we had two full glasses. The first sip was honey, the next heaven. The natural coolness of the juice (minus the ice), the delectable sweetness of the greenish concoction and a remote tang of lemon. The glass got over just a bit too soon, and we trudged home, satiated and fully replenished with energy.

The rock of my life

This is for you my better(?) half...part anni, part valientine's day gift:) leaving aside the shattu n amavat by airmail parcel ofcourse :):)
I have always been a drifter,
drifting and floating in life,
some times here, sometimes there,
no aim, no direction,
just swimming with the tide.
And then I found an existence, the rock solid one.
It when I rested for the first time in my life,where I took breath ,
I shared my joys and my sorrows, my hurt and my emotions.
Your my dear rock, just stood by me, just so unmoving, strong and silent.
you made me laugh, you wiped my tears,
you shouted at my mistakes but showed me the right path.
its coz of u that I settled, its coz of you that I lived...
its coz of u, the anchor of my life

The taste of ambrosia…fresh baked bread

I love passing by the bakeries. Especially in the mornings. Enjoying the aroma that tantalizes the taste buds, for a bite into one of the warm gutlis or kadak pavs. Now on one of the Sunday evenings my mother and I strolled to one of these bakeries that sold lovely kadak pavs. Just like sourdough or French baguette in texture but shape like a gutli, these breads were ambrosia, with melted salty amul butter and creamy cheese. But these were made only in the morning. We understood a bit too late. So I kind of compromised on sesame decorated burger buns. From the feel they were cotton. Which meant fresh. The smell. good, the color, rosy brown.We came home. And I broke open the bread (I didn’t use knife) and slathered one side with some salty butter, cold from the fridge. Not in mood for cheese (for a change) I almost thought of eating them JLT. Till I remembered some of potato chips that my mother had got from the store for her fasting pet pooja. One thing layer of handful of wafers and my wafer sandwich was ready. The creaminess and light saltiness of the butter complimented the crunchiness of the plain salted potato wafters, cushioned in softness of the pavs. The minimal sesame added the required nuttiness. The first bite was heaven and the remaining the steps to paradise. Needless to say, the sandwiches got over just a bit too soon.

A trekker’s paradise: Matheran

I have been meaning to write on this trip since ages but some how found time and inclination to do that today.
Whenever I think of Matheran, I remember the long walks or treks…and scenic beauty.
When Muharram came joining Saturday and Sunday, it was a long weekend. A dream come true, for extra sleep and peace and relaxation, extra chores done, extra guitar practice, extra reading and extra studying. But who knew that these plans would go for a full toss.
Fully drained after dinner making and winding up chores, a brush to clean teeth and warm bath finally found way to the cool bed. “shall we go to matheran?” was the question my better (?) half asked. Disinterested and a bit irritated I almost said no. but then I saw his enthusiastic face and said a sleepy OK, sleeping catching the weary body a bit too soon.
Something rude woke me up. It was morning already. “What?” I barked sleepily. This was not the time for pleasantries. “We need to take the train to neral…from there we will go by car to matheran and we need to catch the train in ½ an hour” “what…” all the sleep left my eyes. “The packing is not done…and I need ½ hr to do puja and bath…I am not going without it” I said angrily. “We just need do jodi kapda and your bath and puja will be done within no time” he said calmly. Grumblingly I got out of the warm bed. No time for warm water, I hurriedly had bath and did puja…with mantras continuing as I packed do jodi kapda. I wore the tennis shoes and trudged behind him.
“I will punch the tickets and you proceed in the direction of the platform…else we may miss the train” and without waiting to hear my question on train timings he went in search of ticket punch box. I saw a train from the “fast” train platform leaving. Almost panicking I called him. “I guess we missed the train” I said. “no…the train still has ten minutes to go” he said calmly “OK you come here…I guess I have less amount of tickets” furious I climbed down the bridge. Anger slowly building in my head. “you didn’t even tell me the train time…how am I supposed to know” I said. After a bit of arguments, both of us proceeded in the direction of the platform. A chai was what I needed. But a few sips later some one pushed and the tea graced the floor. Trying to maintain calm we boarded the train. We reached Neral and searched for an ATM. A single one graced some distance ahead. Now the misfortune started. It didn’t accept my card nor my better(?) half’s. we tried and tried. For few others it did. But we were not so lucky. After a lecture of how we should have withdrawn money at thane etc and me insisting to go home. We took train back to badlapur where we finally could withdraw the money. Grumblingly we finally took train back to neral. After booking a medium priced ‘hotel’ and car to matheran, we set our journey. The “zup and zaaap” of the swift turns at the curves of the Ghats. My mind refused to dwell on what would happen if…
Getting down at “dasturi naka” (the start of matheran), we trekked our way to “railway station” (the main point of matheran), paying less heed to the insistence of horses and that the distance was huge. I enjoyed the feel of cool air on the body and how sun didn’t make me perspire or seek cover. We followed the rail tracks. And in some time reached the “railway station”. A quick lunch of strictly OK biryani, we met the escort who would take us to the hotel. Now hotel would be a misnomer. It was more like a lodge or a house, converted into something livable. “who is going to stay here…we just need it for the sleep” I said consoling my disappointed better(?) half. After taking our forty winks, we started our exploration on feet. Taking backside road parallel to the station, we walked ahead, clicking photos and chitchatting, the earlier big fight totally forgotten. The roads were red and dusty and uneven and definitely not tarred. But that was OK. the scene around was too gorgeous to pay attention to roads. Dense trees on both sides. We first went to charlotte lake, that provides water to whole of matheran, and where swimming and rafting and boating is not allowed. The expanse was beautiful, and so was the steep cliff at almost another end of the dame, which served its purpose mostly in the rainy season. We walked back and saw echo point where no echoes took place. The navigation was a bit tough since everywhere there was lack of signboards, but it was OK, since the localites where helpful enough. The walk was hectic for us city people and we dragged our selves back to the market place. A bit of rest and parcel of food and we slept like logs on that night, after having a whim of ice-cream. The bed bugs drinking to my blood with their natural straws.
The next day we got up early and refreshed, we started our trek again. This time to Alexander point (my favorite), rambaug point, onetril ( one tree hill) point, little chowk and chowk point. Alexander point was my favourite as roads were wider and better. There were ancient houses from British era that we saw as we passed the road. There was so much air that it made that it made that typical “ghu ghu” in the valley. The view was fantastic and I believe the best in whole of matheran. We took nimbu pani at little chowk point and after seeing onetrill (one tree hill) point which was actually a small shrub, we walked back in search of civilization. We had piping hot “kanda poha” and adrak chai (finally) which refreshed our senses and soul and headed back to our “thamba” or stop. Refreshed , we changed to our early afternoon trek. Before trek we took a “real” heavy gujrati meal at gujrat bhavan. After this, the trek resumed. This time we saw a so-so lousia point ,coronation point, lords point and lastly porcupine or sunset point. This place buzzed with activity and we saw the sun setting in absolute V. we saw a complete baby green peak amidst all dusty browns. And before the sun completely set, we trekked back to the market. Completely sapped out. After having an OK Chinese starter, soup and palak paneer at a joint we headed back, feasting on fudge. Sleep already on our eyes. The next day we took our sack and overnight case. I had a “kadak pav”, for my small hunger. We unexpectedly went to garbut point, and later took return car and after feasting on garmagaram vada pavs, we took return train back home. Totally refreshed to start the daily life again.

The book that impressed me.

I feel this has always been with me. Books that never seem to cease satisfy me and music that never seem to cease to elate me.
This is one of such books. A must keep of all sorts. I have read “Tuesdays with morrie” of Mitch Altbom and ofcourse “five people you meet in heaven”
I have always been a buyer of books. Something itches when there is an exhibition in the office (and there are many) and I don’t buy a single book. But yes. For me mostly its never read once and finish it off and never touch the book again (you should see the well worn volumes of the knitting circle and PS I love you). I love such books that I read again and again. (Madhur Jaffrey’s climbing mango trees).
Tuesdays with morrie never ceased to elate me. I was a bit doubtful about “five people you meet in heaven” I didn’t want preaching (the monk who sold his Ferrari has enough) nor very light reading.
It is this book that has it all. Small pieces of advices sewn together with a lovely story.
It recounts the life and death of an old maintenance man named Eddie. After dying in an accident, Eddie finds himself in 5 other heavens of the 5 people he will meet in heaven, where he encounters five people who have significantly affected his life, whether he realized at the time or not. A book that actually made me stick to it till I finished it. A keep definitely.

Another addition in my "sidey song" list

OK, now I downloaded a classic song along with this too (mere sang sang by kishor Kumar)
The first thing that puzzled me about the song. what exactly instruments are used except guitarisque use of harmonium.now this novel use of harmonium where I always viewed it as classic, for classical songs or practicing singing...honestly according to me a bit bland musical instrument, but it sure received a mindblowing makeover.
The lyrics have a perfect mélange of english and hindi lyrics. The songs starts with harmonium madness then english-hindi lyrics…a bit low…then a pause with “whats my name…whats my name” then some music and “my name is Sheila…”. The music is good , the foot tapping kind..and so are lyrics…so much that I mostly hear the same song again and again …I just saw trailors of the song on TV with Katrina kaif sizzling on the screen. I am almost scared of singing the “Sheila…sheila ki jawani” aloud. Not a classic definitely…but worth a mention

After a long hiatus

After a real long hiatus, I have managed to get some stuff for month of January,(which turned out to be february mid 2011) something to breathe on…One more year ended one more year started. Year 2010 brought heartbreaks and joys…I am hopeful that 2011 will be same “imli chutney” experience