*Courtesy Sheela

It’s been a while since the Chandni Chowk visit to the paranthe waali gali happened. Paranthas just shot over and fizzled since then. Until now.

Outside Gate No. 4, Amity University, Noida, buzzes a habitation of ‘tapris‘ (small stalls). Covered with blue tarpaulins, the three stations are busy tossing stuffed paranthas and egg rolls on huge round ‘tawas’ (frying pans). The smoke might sting you momentarily but you will inhale delicious fragrances once it clears off. Have the tongue buds started watering already? From egg paranthas to paneer paranthas and rolls that will make sure you come again, this small arrangement is just the getaway for the college students. Need a break from the usual food items that you get in the food court inside? Come to this place and gorge on the different variety of Maggi noodles and momos. Want to down it with a drink? There’s the usual soft drinks and chai that you will relish even in summer. And if you want to beat the heat and cool down, the ice cream vendor’s waiting for you too! This place is indulgence in disguise.

All the paranthas come with special condiments and cost between 15/- to 30/- only. Make sure you carry your ID cards to gain entry back into the college, though

Some would choose to silently lie down and sleep for their Shilpa Shetty Power Yoga CD workouts the next day. Some would be travelling in the gushing metal tube to silently fall back later. The ones watching the skyline would be thinking to themselves about the pink tinge. They have every right to question what it means to them, their lives. Only, they won’t be getting any answers. The essence of the changing colours of the ever-growing sky seems to have died with the bling of the effervescent cars and cloth draped over the eyes rather than bodies.

Delhi succumbs to the monstrosity of the high and the snobbish with alarming ease with every passing day. The rich are the rich and one can bear with them till the time they keep their noses up in the air that doesn’t really touch me much. But it becomes a tad bit suffocating as I see the laden (in various senses) women from the very middle class trying to fit onto the ladder of the upper class, cramming into the very few inches left. Not only does that upset the balance of the ladder, it makes them look like, well, wannabes. When has one learnt to be comfortable with what they have, really? Competing with the cheetahs by wrapping black and gold ropes around them, doesn’t guarantee them a win, but. It makes me sad, all the consumerism, the commercialization. Living in Delhi used to fun, so much fun. Then it became the atrocity it is now. It’s good, all this wonderful boom of economy, rise in the status of living. The only downer being that more than half of it is the walking oddities of fake everywhere, the rush that pushes people to sell their souls for Ray Bans and Mercs, and the loneliness that hits the wannabe anorexic girls so they can fit into tiny self esteems. The mall explosion is eerily helping all of this while the very evident divide between North Delhi and South Delhi is becoming even more profound. You can’t go from one to the other without noticing the difference. Eating an ice cream has become a matter of prestige and I can’t help but wonder about and pray for the ‘rediwallas’ that sell the not-so-much-in-demand-anymore street food and the like. Moreover, the worst that hurts is my friends in other cities literally looking down upon and passing it off as a ‘poser’ city. Not the best booster, you can say.

That’s it. That’s the thing. A playlist and a ride in the metro had me thinking about the sad state of the city I live in. An immense appreciation for the wonderful global way it is going but an even greater disappointment for the sad state of minds that just aren’t comfortable with what they have or are. And of course the fact that we have drifted so far away from nature that no man made ship can get us back to the shore.

No, Delhi doesn’t do songs on ambling walks on early foggy mornings in the woods anymore or at all.

The wailing of the sirens

Shooting red across the black

Boons turning banes

Ropes more than ever go slack

What more did we ask

Other than what we deserve

The essence of us beings

Mindlessly shot and served

Ashish Chhabra

Standing in the crowd, all you can think of doing is waving your hands up in the air or jumping up and down as the music sways you in directions you’d had no idea of. If someone knows how to impress and amaze a crowd, its Ashish Chhabra; the manager of his project Jazba. A balanced mix of pop, rock and sufi, the work of Ashish and Jazba never fails to escalate one’s heart beat; be it a LIVE performance or the new single, Love Story.

I have been fortunate enough to be witness to a lot of their gigs at venues of wide diversity and not once have I felt a slack in the energy of the band or the audience. Ashish bursts forth with the attitude of a person in full possession of vigor and passion that constitutes his singing. The music scene in Delhi right now sure is ripe with more than a bagful of musicians struggling to make it to the top but also it is to be observed that English lyrics are taking an increased foothold. Among all this and budding to carve a niche, Jazba shines like a new star that emanates the message that its here to say and how.

The new single Love Story is a very soft, romantic track that has eveyone who listens to it smiling ear to ear. The music complements the lyrics in a way that is natural, to say the least. Also, the amount of passion Ashish sings it with, leaves one with no choice other than to put it on loop for at least the next two to three times. With a base in lyrics that everyone can relate to and music that encompasses a myriad of instruments, this song sure is a very good start to a very hopeful future.

Among a sea of musicians straining to catch my ears and steal some appreciation, this band, this amazing singer has surely managed to do the works. I can continue praising and it won’t matter one bit because you have to hear it to feel it.

All the best to Ashish and Jazba.

Love Story by Ashish Chhabra

It’s not very impressive at first glance, let me tell you. Of course that is only until you have reached the glass counter, pressed your nose against and looked at the live salad/pasta bar. Then you will want to grab the menu and will be surprised by the number of options you have. You thought they didn’t serve variety eh? So well, you choose the most scrumptious sounding dish on the menu which could be anything from a sandwich to a pasta in red or white sauce, a salad with sausages and salami or a pizza with cheese dripping in plenty. Being aroused by the wonderful smell, you will plunge into the dish fork/mouth first and decide to stop only when you’re done eating. Did you order the lemon soda along?

And while you’re at it, go ahead, doodle using that bottle of sauce at the table-it’s fun you know.  

The money will have to flow out of your wallets a little but you won’t mind. In fact, vowing to come back again, you will go back there again. If not to indulge yourself in the cheese that settled over your food, then to surely sit back, have a coke, a live salad and talk. You have found yourself  a new joint to hang out at after all. Aren’t you proud now?

Location: A10, NN Towers, Opposite Fountain Chowk, Pitampura, New Delhi

-Leo

Oh well, it crossed the pleasant wind blowing across your face and it crossed the ‘button up your blazer up to your neck’ and it crossed the part where you done two pullovers. It started biting. Ouch. Now that’s harsh, I agree but yes, it’s true. It was something that we have experienced before but no, not so much that we remember it. But this, this we will remember.

Temperature dropping down to a whopping 3 degree Celsius and winds as cold as from an Air Conditioner and more, drove Delhiites to seek comfort in their double layered quilts. Of course all the weather couldn’t stop Universities from inflicting upon students the horror and the freezer that is exams. We got through them too, though. It’s called ‘survival instincts’.  Eh.

It’s going down, the temperature is and the cold wave is receding with a 20 degree yesterday. Seems like a  nice thing with the sun all bright and shiny. But beware and  be careful Delhiites, the MET Dept forecasts an icy week head yet again. Buckle up those coats and zip up those boots; you’re going to need every inch of that clothing.

So amidst it all, some respite was brought to homes in the avatar of Lohri. Fires cackling off wooden planks put together in a pyramid and popcorn and peanuts bouncing off the flames,always had our Dilli wallas dancing around the sacred yellow and orange. A celebration that has its roots in many stories and myths all over India, never fails to delight frozen hands and covered heads. Yes, I have an idea that terrorists can’t keep away shoppers in our country and well, you dear cold, won’t be dampening the socks of our spirits any soon too.

Happy Lohri and Makkar Sankrant =)

-Leo

‘A sombre tree with a bark just the perfect size stands in the middle of the corner of the street; encircled by a bench of many colors. The chipped paint shines in places as water slides slowly off the seat. It is raining. We look around at the traffic, waiting for the rain to stop. An umbrella that we don’t feel like putting over our heads but in front of us. A police ‘chauki‘ right opposite us; the gentleman taking refuge from the incessant downpour.  ”Look up, it’s beautiful.” The canopy filters sunlight through and the water drips down in semblance of time weighing itself. Looking up, we both stare in fascination; one wondering about the longevity of the drops, the timing of the rain. So hassle free an activity.

Such silence and so unsure. . .’

-Leo

The first time Rizu and I went there, we were served ‘chai’ by the friendly old guy who roves the place beaming warmly. I thought it was for free. You would think so too; that kind of hospitality, you don’t find anywhere anymore. Soon we indulged in stuffed paranthas and the ‘meetha samosa’, downing it with good tea. Didn’t pay more than 32 Rupees that day. It was a treat, trust us.

Since then, we have been taking people there-introducing them to the wonderful small world of cane stools and stone benches. Comfortable hospitality and small town warmth. A connection to the whatever past we can look back to and ‘mithai’ that reminds us why we love India.

A lovely get away for a rainy day or a pleasant afternoon. So light on the pocket, you won’t even feel the strain. The buzzing flies only add to the atmosphere and the bottles full of red and green ‘chatni’ make you feel welcome for yet another visit. With yet more friends.

Had been hearing about it since the past week and yesterday finally took us there; a group of 6 students, hungry and broke. We parked our cars in whatever shade we could find and picked up menus neatly stashed in a glass. Consisting of only two non-vegetarians, we ordered one plate of chicken momos, chilly garlic noodles, honey chilli potatoes and spring rolls. Accompanied by a thumbs up and two bottles of water, we had an awesome treat. The spring rolls were slightly sprinkled with chaat masala and rested quietly on a plate half filled with veggies of the likes of carrots, cabbage and onions. They set us off when had with light sauce that he generously poured for us out of a large ‘pateela’ (container) full of the same. The momos were graceful- 8 pieces per plate- and the honey chilli potatoes emptied on the plate straight from the cooking vessel. The noodles turned out to be a plateful and a little too much to handle; but good nevertheless.

Everything had just the right amount of spices and the right amount of Indian touch to the Chinese. the van itself looks like a friendly little abode of people come to Delhi to make a living out of what they do best. The ‘manager’ couldn’t stop smiling and the ‘employees’ worked with an air of contentment. As if, nothing could keep them happier if they tried. That kind of dedication wants you going back- no matter what the food says-which is good too in this case.

All in all, an experience that was a little cute, a little too sunny and fulfilling. One more eating spot near college. Ah. Thank you Chayan. =)

Location: Take the second right from Keshav Mahavidyalaya, Pitampura and continue on the road till you come across the Van on the right hand side. It isn’t too far in.

-Leo

My mother was never a ‘serial-watcher’. In fact, she and I used to make fun of  dumb manipulated men and the gorgeously dressed women hovering over the screen, sleeping in sarees weighing 50 kilos and jewelery that would drag me along if I wore it. We used to smirk and make comments on the other family members who were definitely hooked and engrossed in the pitied lives on screen. When one of the above mentioned would make a sympathetic remark or ‘tut-tut-tut’, we would roll our eyes and go all, ”Really?” It used to be fun-sniggering over drama that was overwrought ladies running amok among wilderness that is so easy to come by for them.

All that is in the past now though. I realize,- as she moves on in years and gets a little extra time home from her hectic self- that she enjoys them too. Overheard her abusing a certain vamp in a certain tv show today and I couldn’t help wondering about how the human mind just blatantly craves drama-no matter how lame. She gets simply immersed and curses and ‘aww..’s at the right moments. It’s not funny any more though (for me). Maybe because I lost my partner in ‘smile’ or maybe because its clearer than ever-the plight of these women who thrive on these distractions to keep distance from the stressful ongoings in their own lives. But I’m in a way happy for her.

I think after all, they deserve a break- however lame or interesting. =)

-Leo

Arts.i, located on the first floor of Scindia House on Kasturba Gandhi Marg, Connaught Place, is an initiative of Religare. They started this in an attempt to spread and support art and budding artists of India. This white painted complex of a place houses an art gallery, a shop and a cafe. Rizu’s digging up and hunger pangs are what got us there. We were fascinated by the display of huge paintings, miniature canvases and sat in the cafe trying to decode what each of them had to say. We ordered Honey Chilli Potatoes and the ever desired tea and found out that the small menu offered much delicious food and beverages indeed. The prices will strain your wallet a little. But not too much I would say. Then there are the delicate spring rolls and the fresh ice tea. All make for a wonderful visit. It is sparsely dressed by 5-6 tables and opens up to a terrace that offers a view of Connaught Place and its vastness. The walls of the terrace are splashed with cool funky art and play in a riot of colors. A white painted rikshaw rests displayed on one side-as if signifying a truce between the present and the past using art as a mediator.

The shop is stocked with hand painted and interested artefacts ranging from silver figurines to truck art trays and kettles.  They are a treat to look at. Even the gallery is a different sphere altogether. It transfers you to a delicately carved world of art.

The cafe houses a workshop on top of it where artists work on canvases-spilling out their imaginations and creativity as they strain to express what they feel. Comfortable at work, they are free to order from the cafe below and paint in peace and wonder.

One longs for places like these and Delhi is opening up its arms to them. It’s only fair we grace them with our minds and absorb as much as we can.

-Leo