Tags:
Journalism of Courage
In this fast-moving island city, landmarks change their character as often as the Sensex fluctuations
Concrete takeover
Khotachiwadi
With the shadow of high-rises looming over this urban village, its quaint charm and beauty are under threat. The 19th century settlement8212;one of Mumbai8217;s most-visited heritage precincts8212;is a fine example of Portuguese architecture. But the picture postcard look of the wadi, with nearly 30 wooden bungalows, now has concrete structures in the backdrop. Sharada Dwivedi blames the government8217;s skewed policy for distorting the old-world beauty of the area. 8220;It8217;s horrible,8221; she reacts to the pulling down of some century-old buildings in the area. Most of the Khotachiwadi residents, like 70-year-old R B Fernandes, proclaim to be in love with the tranquility that this place offers. They attempted to restore its familiar charm by organising a festival three years back. But it hasn8217;t rendered much dividend like the citizens8217; movement for Kalaghoda. Still, a walk through its narrow and winding lanes and a meal at Anant Ashram remain a rewarding experience.
Kala ghoda
MUMBAI8217;S art district owes its present swanky look and heightened heritage appeal to the city8217;s conscious and active denizens. They rescued the tony area, nestled in South Mumbai, from the brink of dilapidation to make it vibrant. Both Dwivedi and Brinda Chudasama Miller rave about how the historical precinct is now abuzz long after the official hours. 8220;Since this area mainly has offices and galleries, in the evening it used to be deserted,8221; says Miller. New restaurants have ensured that there is a steady flow of visitors late into the evenings. The lighting of the area has contributed to its bright evenings while spruced up pavements and the new amphitheatre have proved to be additional crowd-pullers while its famed art galleries remains star attractions. The Kala Ghoda activitists plan to instal some modern sculptures, including that of a horse, next.
Taste of Mumbai
Prithvi Theatre Cafeacute;
THE Prithvi Theatre Festival last year had double surprises8212;the musical extravaganza and its renovated cafeacute;. If the festival was a hit, then the cafeacute; seems to be a runaway hit. Juhu8217;s most-loved hangout joint8212;now run by Riyaaz Amlani8212;has the best of Mumbai on the menu. Sample a few8212;firni from Suleiman Usman, kebabs from Noor Mohammadi, sandwiches from American Express Bakery, samosas from Gurukripa and mawa cakes from Merwan8217;s. Actor Trishla Patel names Suleimani chai as her favourite. The space, decorated with colourful paper lanterns, can now accommodate nearly120 people. Still, finding a place there in the evening, even on weekdays, has become tough. 8220;After the cafeacute;8217;s renovation, the number of visitors here has increased a lot,8221; says Akarsh Khurana of Akvarious.
The cafeacute; crowd was earlier dominated by theatrewallahs. Now, families, youngsters and friends turn up there too. The theatre is now gearing up for its 30th annual festival too seems to be having a good run. The 8216;House Full8217; sign was spotted a good number of times this month. And with theatre personalities like Satyadev Dubey and Makrand Deshpande still remaining familiar sights there, it looks like its pull for theatre-lovers remains undiminished.
Price of popularity
Siddhivinayak Temple
TO begin with, it was a nice roadside temple, consecrated on November 19, 1801. But it attained stardom when the biggies from the film industry began their nocturnal treks to the Prabhadevi traffic-stopper, with a wish on their lips. In the 1970s, it started its rise to stardom. Now, there stands a huge edifice, which has been often criticised by heritage activists and architects on its kitschy aesthetics. The mushrooming kiosks8212;selling garlands, modak and other puja paraphernalia8212;have given them more excuses to complain. The fortress-like enclosure that8217;s stolen space from a traffic-heavy road, erected nearly a year ago, has further intensified it. But devotees in never-ending queues, waiting for a darshan of Lord Ganesha, don8217;t seem to mind this.
