Colaba Causeway (Sreshtha Chatterjee)

The hub of splashing fabrics, kurtas and stoles; an assortment of the trendiest jholas, mojris, lamps, antique clocks, showpieces and wall hangings; a colourful mishmash of oxidised and silver junk jewellery, off-beat earrings, rings and trinklets, Colaba Causeway is a complete winner on the list of any adolescent girl’s dream shopping destinations! As one perambulates across the ‘anaconda-ish’ street, even with a few measley bucks inside her pocket, one cannot help perking up with interest, knick-knacking and picking up these charming and alluring articles as one goes along the way.
A melange for touching base and having the most wonderful time with friends; Be it with Soccer and Expresso Coffee at Café Mondegar or the staple Chicken Chilly and a tower of beer at The Leopold’s, Colaba Causeway is perhaps the most perfect reflection of cosmopolitan Mumbai, and taking stalk of the number of foreigners who are unfailingly seen dotting the place; This Mumbai icon is certainly a progeny of the phenomenon of globalisation.
Situated in the affluent piece of the city, South Mumbai, downtown Churchgate; Colaba Causeway is unmistakably one icon for the city to boot, and praise in glowing terms. Striking in the most unconventional kind of way, and certain to hoist anyone’s instant attention, loud yet muted, pricy brands juxtaposed with the typical Mumbai street shops, that are mushroomed one after the other, colourfully punctuating all the big eateries, food stations, pubs and brand outlets, effortlessly beckons the shopper in you, and gives you enough of a fillip to become a patron of the place, and return to it, several times again. Colaba Causeway certainly exudes that quintessential flavour of the city in more ways than one, and is truly a cultural melting point.
The place is frequented by locals and tourists alike, to procure the best stuff at the most reasonable prices, through prudent bargaining, pushing and plugging. Causeway stretches for approximately a kilometre, and is piled with stalls on both side-walks, displaying attractive scarves and stoles, trendy chappals and bags and a whole galaxy of accessories. It is the one of the places in Mumbai, where you possibly cannot go wrong with trends! It exhibits and garners the right colours, right style, right elegance one needs for that season.
“I love the Causeway culture. It is light on my pocket and right on my attitude,” exclaims Radhika Puri, a 22-year old engineering student.
The most popular amongst these kiosks of accessories, are the ones which sell semi-precious stones and beads, because they customise and cater to their buyers in a way that they can create their own pieces of jewellery, by choosing the beads and stringing them together, helping them create their own fashion statements.
Just congruent, are the shops of meticulously woven shawls and stoles, which are undoubtedly difficult to miss. Also strewn along the stretch are the chappal stalls, which keep themselves abreast with the latest fashion trends, and have an overwhelming range and variety in styles and colours.
“Sometimes it is so difficult to choose just one. There are wonderful designs at such affordable prices. I spend nearly thirty minutes at one stall to just pick up one,” seconds Rashi Bose, business journalist based in Mumbai.

However, it is not just women one sees shopping and patrolling the place, but also, men bargaining at the accessories outlets for metal bracelets, belts and other articles. They are also customers at the stalls selling glares and cheap stylish wrist watches.
“I come once in a while to Colaba to know of the latest trends and of course, I do pick up an accessory or two, on every visit,” says 22-year old Vedant Jhunjhunwala.

Another conspicuous element of Causeway is that these stalls march bang opposite the expensive, sophisticated branded stores, like Nike, Adidas, United Colours of Benetton, Levis, etc, and it is rather interesting to see both co-exist and manage a camaraderie, which perhaps results from a healthy competitive set up, and makes the place ever so endearing.
However, it is not just about the good experience, or the pleasant vibe of the place, Causeway also teaches you bargaining skills (if you are among those who cannot negotiate prices!) or refines it (if you are among those who is an ideal accompaniment for friends on their shopping expedition!).
And what is a shopping spree without some gastronomic adventures? Colaba is also, of course, loaded with the best food courts and dessert bars, to salvage that ravenous sweet tooth and satiate those inexplicable cravings for lip-smacking fast-food!

For a relaxing chat over some beer and relishing snacks, Café Leopold and Café Mondegar provide an ideal setting. For Italian indulgements, Café Churchill is the place to be. If one wished for a delectable dig in chicken, Bade Miyan, situated behind the Causeway is a must-visit. Also, should one chose to buy the most obnoxiously delicious North Indian grub, Delhi Darbar is an absolute must. And to end on a ‘sweet’ note, a visit to Theobroma and Mad Over Donuts(M.O.D.) placed right next to each other, are basic rituals one must follow!
Certainly, all these incredible facets have made Causeway transcend all class, age and gender divides and become a classic icon, the city can certainly boast about.