Mumbai Musings

Last month my HR manager sent a very sweet mail congratulating on three year completion in the organization. It struck me then that that meant three years completion in Bombay as well. Three years sped by and I didn’t even realize it. If time flies, then it most definitely has very large wings to brush under its span 1095 important life-days.

If reader’s recall one strong reason for opting for Bombay (I still cannot get over calling it by its old name) was to understand what makes the city tick; to comprehend & appreciate its pulsating energy; to feel that radiance which seems to make a Bombayiite so uncomfortable elsewhere; to unravel its various layers that compel writers & lyricists to pen novels & songs on it.

Honestly, I will confess I am nowhere close to grasping any of the above. Perhaps I allowed myself to be sucked in my work’s unavoidable vortex which left me very little residual time to mull & ruminate on the city. Or perhaps, I am now one with the city’s electrifying intensity so much so that I didn’t realize that three years have gone by and that is the sum total of my years of stay in Nepal and Agra put together. The gypsy in me seems to be finding a city anchor. Frankly, I do not like it.

But I will park the thought to shift base (once again) for a few more days.

Rewinding back let me run past a few memories now permanently associated with this city. I landed here on 5^th September 2007, sans a house or even an inkling of an idea as to where I would stay. It took me three excruciatingly long months (and numerous extended approvals to stay on in the company guest house) to mentally adjust to the house dimensions here, and learn the language of BHK and deposits (which I felt were impossibly high). However, soon I understood that housing is such an important factor in an average Bombayite’s life that there is a well-oiled machinery to cater to all its needs. This was a huge contrast to my previous experience in Agra, where I had just made a loose agreement with the owner (that too, done via the building office & who collected cash rentals every month); and of course, a deep disparity from Nepal where even that loose agreement was done away with.

Discovering Bombay was fun because of its sheer size, though I feel it s a pretty easy city to explore, due to its longitudinal geography. Actually, the city allows you to lose yourself rather than your way. No one bothers what you do and why you do. There are no nosy neighbors at home & no prying eyes on the road. Privacy is respected; each one on his own. Early on, when I was still at the guest house, I returned very late to find the doors locked. Having no other place to go, I roamed around a bit (hiring an auto); since it was a festival month & a weekend, there was pretty much traffic and crowd on streets. Later I went to the airport, bought a few magazines and sat in a cafe sipping coffee till the sun rose. I returned to find a Ganpati on its way to visarjan , followed it till the beach and finally came back to the guest house. In that whole night, not once did I feel uncomfortable (what will they think of me sitting idly in an airport cafe ?) or scared of being stranded in middle of the night or any apprehension or fear of any untoward incident. This kind of security is something that Bombay should cherish & always nurture. Bombay s true charm lies not in its outward beauty (which, admittedly is lacking to a large extent), but in its inner resilience; in its innate strength.

Having seen them in films, visiting areas like Fountain or Town Hall or Gateway of India provided an unmatched thrill. Of course, add to this passing by a celebrity s house (for example, Peddar Road, where Lataji stays) was (or rather, is) definitely exciting. I have already recorded my visit to the famous Chor Bazaar.

Bombay s festivities are unique. Ten-day Ganeshotsav is a mind-boggling & unparalleled array of sound & color & joy & music, and to see the sea of people throng the beach took my breath away. It s a sight to be savored, enjoyed & participated in. It s as if the entire city converges into one large fair. Other than this, Janamashtmi (or Gokul Ashtami) is celebrated in a unique manner where dahi-handi competitions are held at almost all areas. Real fun!

Of course, most of the discovering happened in the early days first via the city’s ubiquitous trains, and later (when I purchased it) my car. I still cherish moments when I would step out every weekend to visit a new place; and sometimes with hilariously disastrous results. For example, I can never forget the painfully long drive to Aksa Beach; which I undertook at a whim, seeing a signboard on the Link Road, and hoping it to be just round the corner ; only, it turned out to be after several corners, and in end a pretty much disappointment.

In those initial days, I used to even enjoy the repeated trips to any beach Juhu or Bandstand, largely, though sometimes to Versova as well. For a Delhiite, watching the sea (and especially the gorgeous sunset) holds high premium. It is soothing & inspiring to observe the rapid waves roll to the shore & lose their energies only to recede back and return with a new force.

Gradually, I too seemed to have rolled over to a comfort routine (which just oscillates between home & office) & have dissipated my energies. Now I barely step out on weekends. I am too burdened by the thought of traffic, which honestly speaking is as good or as bad as any other big city. I think I need to reorganize my strength. Once, I had planned to photograph & archive all the musical legend roads & landmarks. I never could start it. Perhaps, I should try to give it a shot again now.

Anyways, Bombay (or Mumbai) will have to bear with me for some time. I hope it continues to accept me and provide me its radiance & brilliance.

Other posts to read – Myths & Truths – Bombay; Finding A Doctor; Eating Out In Bombay -1 & Eating Out in Bombay-2

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