Magnificient Mumbai

Categories: Eco & Environment, Travel & Transport

Published On: Sep 14, 2010

Last updated on:: Sep 14, 2010

If you are hearing any of these- “Cutting Chai”, “vada paav”, “Khaoo gali”, “jhakkas”, “Boss”, “ Aye Aunty zara baju hat na”, “Saab (Sir) yahan se left maaroon ya right”, “ abe chalta hai re” you have definitely landed up in Mumbai. - The Indian financial capital city.

“Aye dil hai mushqil jeena yahan …zara hatke zara bachke yeh hai Bambai meri Jaan…”( Oh, My dear Heart, please be a little cautious, its difficult to sustain in this city, so please be careful as this my Mumbai my Dear) is how Majrooh Sultanpuri, one of the greatest lyricists of all times superbly described Mumbai in the year 1955. What Mumbai was then is no different now. Perhaps far more complex to be understood!

Ironical but true- it is a city which is mesmerizing, tempting and at times extremely provoking. Mumbai is an Island city with an ever inviting formation and a prime target of the terror mongers.

The home of Bollywood, the den of the Dons and a roof for millions is what Mumbai has to its credit; a city overflowing with an ocean of humanity- of all shapes, colours and sizes; a true portrait of cosmopolitanism. A million dreams thriving, millions crashing and a million about to be seen. Mumbai will never stop dreaming and it is here where dreams are realized… inviting more and more dreams every single day. “All are welcome here”, this is what this great city says.

A crazy city overflowing with an ocean of humanity…people people people every where! One can find women almost performing a weird kind of a martial art everyday to find shelter in the thronging local trains only to reach their work stations on time! Jam packed streets, suffocating public transport and sky scrapers with slums adjacent to them is what makes the imperfect picture of Bombay…oopssss Mumbai perfect.

The dhobi ghat (the famous laundry), the chowpatty (a beach) and Flora Fountain are just awesome. The Kolis and their fishes, the dabba walas and their home cooked food serving millions and the Poli bhaji(Indian bread and curry) Kendra(center) of the Marathi Manoos(Marathi people) are all worth a mention. The invincible spirit and the incredible nature of this stupendous city is what make it truly an outstanding platform for people to survive. At the end all one can say is a heart felt “Salaam Mumbai” (Hats off Mumbai).

***

“Cutting Chai”- Half a glass of Tea…

“vada paav”- Indian Burger

“Khaoo gali”- A lane in a Commercial locality with mediocre food joints

“jhakkas”- Awesome

“Boss”- Boss

“ Aye Aunty zara baju hat na”- Madam please excuse me

“Saab (Sir) yahan se left maaroon ya right”- Should I take left or right

“ abe chalta hai re”- it happens buddy…

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David Einert wrote at 03:19:14 AM on Sep 15, 2010

Gayatri "Jhakkas... Interesting the word "Boss" is no better a word there than here. I've seen pictures and during our State fair have an idea of waves of people that are wall to wall and it would be hard to fall as most of the time there would be no room. I am not sure if I like being in places that are that crowded and thankful when I get out where there is more room.
Dave

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gayatri sankar wrote at 03:29:24 AM on Sep 15, 2010

A very good morning Dave...(its 8 in the morning here)...well even I am quite paranoid about the waves of humanity...but being an Indian I have no way out but to get adjusted to it...I feel incredibly happy to be a part of a crowd which is probably the boldest ever...you know this great city has often been a prime target of the terrorist outfits...the true fighting spirit of this city makes it adorable no matter what...

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ian russell wrote at 08:59:11 AM on Sep 15, 2010

Hi Gayatri. I've noticed here, in England, the use of the words Aunty and Uncle for older people who may or may not be related. I wonder, is it impolite to call a woman ''Aunty'' who is not your parent's sister, or is it a term of affection? I know traditionally in Britain some folk might speak to an elder stranger and call them ''Pop'' or ''Ma'', but it is quite rude to do so.

Also, I'm curious you don't appear to have words for left or right.

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gayatri sankar wrote at 10:15:33 AM on Sep 15, 2010

Dear Ian,

thanks for your comment. Well here in India, we do not take names of elderly people. Traditionally we do not have the custom of addressing someone as Mr. and Mrs. We usually address them as Kaki/ Masi in case its an elderly woman and Kaka/ Chacha in case of an elderly gentlemen.

Nowadays people address elderly strangers as Aunty or Uncle with a mark a respect. It is in no way treated impolite.

In Hindi Right is Dayan and Left is Bayan....

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Karthik Swaminathan wrote at 01:06:10 PM on Sep 15, 2010

In response to Ian - English has caught up at a frenetic pace; so much so, that its effect on indigenous languages is blatantly evident.

This has been exemplified in Gayatri's composition: “Saab (Sir) yahan se left maaroon ya right”

I am not just referring to Hindi, here.

Peace.

PS: Nice recounting, Gayatri. My memories of Mumbai, though, are limited.

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gayatri sankar wrote at 01:41:50 PM on Sep 15, 2010

@ Swaminathan- U are bang on...and thanks

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Karthik Swaminathan wrote at 01:46:40 PM on Sep 15, 2010

Karthik, please.

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