Udupi Restaurants (Brenda Barnes)

If you ever passed by an udupi restaurant chances are that you’ll be tempted to have a bite of mysore masala dosa or onion utappa. These restaurants, while may not have the decor and ambiance of a Taj or Gaylord’s, still have the power to attract a large crowd any given time of the day.

They are not located in posh areas but conveniently positioned near stations, bus stops, etc where they can feed a large crowd at minimal prices. The love of Mumbai with these restaurants is due to common culture and heritage.

Udupi restaurants, as the name suggests, are set up by migrants Kannadiga families from Udupi, a town in Karnataka. The delicious taste of idlis, upmas and dosas that only they can serve, giving you a taste of South India can be attributed to handing down of traditional recipes by word of mouth and informal lessons to the cooks by those before them. Not only food, but the service too is exceptional. Importance is laid on cleanliness and hygiene. Food is cooked in clean vessels and even cleaner kitchen; even the tables are kept clean. This is typical south India, where cooking does not start until the kitchen is scrubbed clean and a pray is offered to God.

The restaurants are run by a close knit community of Kannadigas. Waiters, cook, and small boys employed, belong to Karnataka. All are provided permanent shelter; most staying in the premise itself, and permanent jobs. Since most have left their villages to live here, they form a bond with regulars and new comers alike. This is where they spend more than half their lives, occasionally visiting their families back home.

Early kannadiga settlers came and set up their business in Matunga hence this place boasts of a plethora of udupi restaurants; the oldest and famous ones being A. Rama Nayak’s Udupi Shri Krishna Boarding, Idli House, Mani’s Lunch Home, Cafe Mysore, Sarada Bhavan, Anand Bhavan, Ram Ashray, Amba Bhavan. Some of these are more than 50 years old with the same unique taste in the south Indian fare.

Earlier the customers would usually be a south Indian but with evolving times the tyope of customers have changed nd with it the menu. Most restaurants will now offer apart from the usual fare of idlis and dosas, mughlai, chinese, Indian Chinese, Bhelpuri, and other chaats.

Here is an overview of the food you will get in one of the coolest and oldest udupi restaurants in Mumbai

• Rama Nayak’s Udipi Shri Krishna Boarding (1st Floor, L.B.S. Market Building, Matunga (C.Rly); 10:30am-3pm, 7-10pm )

Two cups of rice, three puris or two chappatis, one curry, one raita, one pulse dish, pappad, buttermilk, sambar, rasam, dal, pickle and cur.it will be served either in thali(plate) or in a banana leaf.take your pick.

• Idli House (Next to Vasant Breezy Chamber, King Circle, Matunga (E))

The menu has a variety of 16 idlis with coffee and other accompaniments like sambar, rasam and coconut chutney, khotto served in cups of jackfruit leaves and mudho. Try it with some mulaga podi (dried spicy chutney), coconut chutney and sambar.

Rava idli to the sweet, tangy cucumber idli to the spicy masala idli are available .

• Modern Hindu Hotel (12 Wallace Street, Apeejay Chambers, 4th floor, Behind Excelsior Theatre, Fort. Lunch: 12-2:30pm; Dinner: 7:15-9-pm)

lunch meal consists of bhaji, sambar, dal, rasam (different everyday), pickle and gulab jamun to wrap it up. The specialty here is that their rice is cooked in copper vessels to add that extra zing to your serving.

 

• Mani’s Lunch Home (153-C, Mhaskar Building Matunga (C.Rly); +91 (0) 98 2412 7188; 6:30am-9pm, Monday is a holiday.)

Idli, medu wada, potato wada, upma, sheera, pongal, in the morning session and in addition kela bajji, vegetable bonda, dal wada, rasam wada, dahi wada, onion pakoda, Mysore bonda, in the evening session and vast varieties of crisp dosawith limitless accompaniments of chutney and spicy delicious Madras onion sambar. In addition, during the afternoon session varieties of rice such as curd rice, bisibellabath, tomato rice, lemon rice and tamarind are served. On Sundays, Mani’s prepares a special southern dosa called adai

____________________________________________________________________________

References:

1. iguide.travel/Mumbai/Eating/Udupi_restaurants

2. www.cnngo.com/mumbai/eat/simply-southilicious

Beyond Iconic- Bombay Stock Exchange (Chetna Agarwal)

                     

Bombay Stock Exchange has entered into third century ever since its formation 133 years back. It is the oldest stock exchange market of South Asia and the first one on the country to be recognized by the Government of India under the Securities Contract Regulation Act 1956 and the second in the world to get an ISO 9001:2000 certification. It has been awarded several recognitions over the years due to its performance such as The Golden Peacock Global CSR Award, ICAI awards for excellence in financial reporting, and Asia-Pacific HRM Award to name just a few.

Most conveniently referred as the BSE, it is an icon of the Indian Capital Market. Every company and corporate entity gets itself listed on the BSE to raise capital resources from the market. In the present scenario, Bombay Stock Exchange is world number 1 in terms of the number of listed companies and world fifth in transaction numbers. BSE extends an easy and transparent market trading system in equity, debt instruments and derivatives. The system and processes are in par with the international standards. An investor can choose from 4700 listed companies categorized into A, B, S, T, and Z group. BSE Index, Sensex has an index of 30 stocks representing 12 major cities.

BSE has laid the groundwork for the development of the Indian securities market. It is surely BSE's and thus Mumbai’s pride that almost every leading corporate in India has sourced BSE's services in capital raising and is listed with BSE. Apart from the Bombay Stock Exchange, the city also houses the National Stock Exchange of India. They are together responsible for most of the share trading volumes in India. Abhishek Kiran Gupta, Head – Research, Jones Lang Lasalle Meghraj in his article, “Mumbai – An Icon in Indian Real Estate” makes a statement on Mumbai’s iconic status. He says, “Today, the city is home to major financial institutions and the corporate headquarters of several Indian companies and multinational companies. It is for this reason that Mumbai maintains its iconic status as the country’s most vibrant real estate market.”

Alongside its dealings in the financial sector, the Bombay Stock Exchange also engages itself into community service. BSE has been undertaking Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives with a focus on education, health and environment. BSE has been awarded by the World Council of Corporate Governance the Golden Peacock Global CSR Award for its initiatives in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

The BSE is a 28 storey building in downtown Mumbai, at the intersection of Dalal Street, Bombay Samachar Marg and Hammam Street. Outside the building is a large screen which displays the stocks of all the listed companies to indicate the increase or decrease of the particular stocks for trading purposes. The trading days are Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 3:30pm. On trading days, brokers, traders and investors crowd in numbers outside the building for performing various transactions. This manner of trading is unique to Bombay Stock Exchange and happens nowhere else in the world. The site is full of anxious looking men and women. One can clearly look through their anxiety when there is bull or bear in the Market. The ups and downs in the Sensex bring a gamut of emotions together. The securities/insecurities come inescapably with this game of trade.  For many people it is an obsession. Making money is the primary obsession but more importantly it’s the obsession with ‘gambling’. It’s a gamble with both time and money. Essentially, the stock exchange, decides the fate of an individual, because either you rise or you fall deep.

The BSE, in this sense of the world is truly iconic and will continue to remain an icon in the Indian capital market.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1.      Gupta, Abhishek Kiran “Mumbai – An Icon in Indian Real Estate”. Retrieved on 02, August, 2010 from http://www.accommodationtimes.com/real-estate-news/mumbai-an-icon-in-indian-real-estate/

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.

Bollywood (Manasvi Ghelani)

Movies, Camera, Lights, Dance, Glamour, Actors, Characters, Film, Colours, Locations, Industry, Box office and one can go on and on with words that start moving around ones head when the word ‘Bollywood’ is taken. But above all is Mumbai. It houses Bollywood and its characters.

Just recently I was reading an interesting book ‘Film as Art’ by Rudolf Arnheim and it kept me glued to it until its last word. Soon after that I watched Inception and Once Upon a Time in Mumbai.  My whole idea towards watching films changed and I started treating it as Real Cinema. It became Bollywood for a reason.

           

I was then eager to know the history of Bollywood. So for starters I googled and realized that India leads the world in the output of films, with more than 800 Indian films produced annually. Our first hindi movie was "Raja Harishchandra" by Dadasaheb Phalke and our first film with dialogues remains "Alam Ara" by  Ardeshir Irani in 1931.

           

My dad always spoke about Raj Kapoor and his films like all hindi movie lovers. So I thought I should watch a couple of them too. I got dvds for “Mera Naam Joker” and “Bobby” not only because these were easily available but also because I have been a Rishi Kapoor fan myself as a child. Raj Kapoor, I saw has brilliantly directed the two movies and taken Bollywood at another level. His contribution to cinema is prestigious.

Needless to say as to why was he honoured with “Best Director of the Millennium” by Stradust Awards and was named “Showman of the Millennium” by Star Screen Awards in 2002.

Then came the Amitabh & Dharmendra phase. I was in awe of Gabbar though. The duo created history and their all time famous Sholay ran in theatres like forever.

Since I have grown up enough to acknowledge movies, Shahrukh Khan was the king of Bollywood. I was also a part of the audience that watched his happy ending clichéd movies. But then it was all about the beautiful destinations Yash Raj Films and Dharma Productions shot at.

Some renowned directors like Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Rakesysh Omprakash Mehera, Madhur Bhandarkar, Mani Ratman came with a bang and gave us some brilliant movies. Some dealt with love differently, some had mythological concepts while some displayed reality. All have come up with never ending series of hits at our box office.

  

Film story, characters, costumes, production are not the only components of a Bollywood film. They require soothing music and melodies voices. Sincere gratitude towards, R.D. Burman for his amazing contribution to music composition and our nightingale, Lata Mangeshkar who lent her voice to our Industry. Then Lataji and R.D. Burman pair was loved by one and all.  The rest then followed the lead gave us some beautiful songs that we can go hummmmming all day.

Bollywood, is the home for talent and money. Many individuals each day come all the way to out city of dreams, Mumbai from various locations just to make it big in Bollywood. It gives genuine talent a chance to prove and that’s what makes it attractive. To top it all, each year we have several award functions, that motive the existing talent and urge new talent to take a step towards it. Bollywood gives artists opportunities, unemployed the work and economy the money.

Just yesterday I was wondering why did I take this long to decide and take a stroll down a place which is located just 10 minutes away from my place, Bollywood a.k.a. Indian Film Industry. Its called the Film City. Amazing movie sets, costumes and characters were all over the place. Directors yelling on top of their voices, stars taking like forever to get ready for their shoots, camera man adjusting the lens and praying that the rain god takes the rest of the day off, troops of dancers rehearsing. It was indeed a colorful sight. This was the real world that made Real Cinema. I thought to myself, that it was a very good idea to study Bollywood closely and let my delusions of Hollywood taking over our Bollywood eyeballs away someday came to a rest.

References:

www. google.co.in/images