Spent a whirlwind 4 days in Mumbai during Diwali. This is what my schedule was like:

* Eating
* Shopping
* Chatting with friends (actually trying to above the loud cracker bursts)
* Eating some more
* Shopping some more
* Chatting some more!

Mumbai looked pretty, especially during the night. All lighted up, decked in her most resplendent jewellery, she shone and sparkled. In fact, flying out on Sunday evening, I looked out of the window and the usually lighted city looked even brighter, and with the crackers going off at regular intervals, it made for a pretty sight indeed.

I found it unusually hot. I think I’ve got a little spoilt after the cooler climes of Bangalore. I also realized that there is no city like Mumbai for shopping! So I made the most of my trip, with a willing friend who kept telling me how much she misses all our shopping expeditions.

Visited heaps of old friends. Spent some precious time with them. Eating. Chatting. Catching up. It was hectic all right. The highlight however remained binge eating. To kick-start the visit, I visited my favourite fish place in Mumbai – Gajalee. After that a good friend treated me to a meal of yummy mustard fish and delicious chicken. Evening, it started with chicken and paneer appetizers at a friend’s place followed by dinner at Peking Tom, where we decided on prawns, since all of us had already had too much chicken! Then another round of Gujju oondew oondhiyu (it was delicious, though I am sure the spelling is wrong!) that my art sir’s wife cooked up for lunch.

If I ate anymore, I was sure they would not allow me on the flight back on one ticket!!

Boy, was I was relieved to get back to my cat on Sunday!

Vaish gave me the good news that I had passed 1a of my French. Meaning I can now go onto the next level. Of course, I have to thank this brilliant woman, the topper of 1b, who went over the basic fundas and helped clear my million doubts just a few days before the exams and saved me from getting really dismal marks!

We watched a play called Marathon, on Monday at the Ranga Shankara complex, Bangalore’s answer to Prithvi Theatre in Mumbai! Vaish could not stop raving about how cool the place was (a hop, skip and jump away) and how the suburb of JP Nagar had finally arrived!

It is a really nice complex with a small, but cosy auditorium, coffee area and a bookshop. The centre stage itself is designed so that you get a good view of all the seats. It is a 300 seater complex, which means that nearly everyone gets a clear view of the stage.

The bonus of watching the play was that not a single cell phone went off during the whole performance. Thanks to all the volunteers and Arundhati Nag herself who made a personal appeal to shut them off. Actually, it’s rather sad that they have to resort to begging people to switch of their cell phones. People should shut off their phones automatically when they enter cinemas and plays. Not only does it disturb the audience, it’s a real menace for the actors who I am sure can do without the disturbance. IMHO, if people cannot live without their phones for an hour, then they should not go for a play in the first place!

I have watched a few plays with cells going off every 10 minutes and it’s so irritating that I wouldn’t mind it if they ban phones during performances.

The other interesting thing about the play was that the protagonists actually jogged and acted through the whole 62 minute performance. It wasn’t called ‘Marathon’ for nothing! Coming from someone who can do neither, that was real impressive! I am definitely looking forward to more of such experiences. And with the complex pretty close to home, I hope my life will get a little more culturally enriched now!

17 thoughts on “Marathon (eating sessions and a play!)”

  1. If Only I knew Her Highness was visiting Mumbai..I’d have got her blessings 🙂

    Do let know whenever U r visiting next time.. we can discuss my Painting Project As Well

    Reply

  3. I once had the privilege to land in Mumbai bang in the middle of Diwali, on Lakshmi Puja. And it looks gorgeous during Diwali from top. All the fireworks and lighting and lanterns, oh amazing! You won’t believe, the slum areas look especially bright & prettier, because of the high density.

    Gajalee is one of my favourites too…slurrpppp…! 😀

    That’s more like undheeo (the gujju dish).

    Reply

  4. surprising u didnt click a pic of the lights from the aircraft..

    BTW I commented on ur sunset post yesterday & I guess it was just at the same time as you updated ur blog.. another BTW -> you could have gotten that pup back home.. ur cat wd have gotten along just fine ;-).. ever read “bimbo and topsy” by Enid Blyton?

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  5. Nilesh: Yes, its probably the only time when the slums looks nice. Usually, in the day, since they’re next to the airport, all you see are miles and miles are low roofs. At night, it was a different sight altogether. You like Gajalee too? Most Mumbaiites seem to prefer Mahesh, but I found it both overpriced and not so hot. Yes, that’s the Gujju dish! Was trying an innovative spelling!

    Twilight: I was tempted but clicking is not allowed in domestic flights 🙂 And I am a law abiding citizen! Saw your post too! I once brought a kitten home from my neighbourhood and Kit Kit hid behind the TV the whole time making awful hissing sounds. I was so scared, I went and kept the kitten back! Can’t dare imagine what will happen if I bring home a pup! Besides looking after a cat takes up too much of my attention 🙂

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  8. Mahesh dishes out average fare. It used to be good. But now I find the taste too ‘common’.

    BTW, I did photograph that Diwali view from the aircraft. Although I am never going to commit the mistake of posting it on shutterbug. But you can certainly find some innocuous aerial views.

    Reply

  9. Hey, where’s gajalee? I’ve been in mumbai a few months and have’nt been there yet. Pointers for good food always welcome, especially fish…

    Watched the Diwali fireworks at Worli seaface… was great.

    the prithvi theatre anniv fest has been good. watched 2 so far. dont think i’ve the time to go watch more.

    Reply

  12. hi anita,

    juss dropped to say hi… i was crawling on google.. Was actully having an argument wid a colleague of mine so i put a search request ” why do women watch saas” serials .. it threw up r blog written sometimes in 2003… really funny stuff…

    cheers n have a nice day

    satish

    Reply

  17. Hey there everyone i actually purchased this e-book and have been useing it over the past few months to earn some cash! I figured with the current state of the economy everyone could use this book so im shareing it for free and you can download it right here!

    http://tinyurl.com/GetGoogleSniper

    Reply

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