For those visiting Cairo, they will get to see a bustling, modern, shiny metropolis whilst traveling on the elevated roads which make up almost the entire city. Venture off these elevated sections of the road and you will be hit hard by a dingier, filthier, congested version of city full of squalid living conditions that makes you rub your eyes to check whether you are in the same city. Reason I give the Cairo analogy is because last weekend I was on the original Mohammed Ali Road. Around two and a half decades ago, the topography of the original Mohammed Ali Road changed forever after a multi-kilometer elevated road-over-road was built. Being a thoroughbred Mumbaite, I have been pretty much aware of, and frequented the original road - it never was, and hopefully never will be, as bad as the ones I experienced in Cairo. Just that once a speedier alternative was available, there was no reason for me to travel through all the traffic snarls. But last weekend the prospect of saving a tidy sum of money for a project the wife is exploring forced us to abandon the speedier alternative for the snarling one. And I got a chance to veer off into a couple of the many by-lanes that dot the road after almost four decades. Which is when nostalgia hit me like a brick.
This blog of yours hits straight on the heart . From bringing back memories of an era gone by to the concluding review of Gulmohar , it was awesome to read. I get my share of nostalgia from facebook which brilliantly shows me a lot about the films and music of 80s and 90s . And man , its so enjoyable.
Thanks a lot, Swapneel. I haven't explored FB as much though. YouTube too gives its fair share, especially through individuals who take the pains to put together some awesome content.
your article got me all nostalgic about Mohammed Ali Road
as a kid , I used to frequent Nizam Street, which was off Mohammed Ali Road once a week along with my father late in the evenings ( to avoid the traffic)when we used to visit Aryan bakery ( our customers ) for payment collections.
This was also the place that exposed me at a very young early age to the labor community from Uttar Pradesh, who toiled so hard in these bakeries in order to provide bread or pow to the poorest in Bombay.
Aryan bakery closed down a couple of years ago, as the next journey of Parsi owners did not want to continue in this trade.
By the way, Mohammed Ali Johar, which was his full name was a great freedom fighters from the subcontinent who let the Khilafat movement along with his brother Shaukat Ali . He was an AMU alumni, of course. The great Ali Brothers👌🏾
Nice one buddy....Mohammed Ali Road...haven't been there for ages. But its such an important part of Bombay and you do get some really amazing stuff there. But going there is a pain man. But i hope you got what you wanted from there :)
Shukran habibi … of Md Ali Road … you’ll not last a minute there now. Even if you just decide to stay put in one place, you’ll find yourself a few metres away from your spot within a few minutes … without you actually walking. ‘Dhakka-bukki’ to another level.
This blog of yours hits straight on the heart . From bringing back memories of an era gone by to the concluding review of Gulmohar , it was awesome to read. I get my share of nostalgia from facebook which brilliantly shows me a lot about the films and music of 80s and 90s . And man , its so enjoyable.
Thanks a lot, Swapneel. I haven't explored FB as much though. YouTube too gives its fair share, especially through individuals who take the pains to put together some awesome content.
Try FB. It's customized
What a lovely piece Shantanu,
your article got me all nostalgic about Mohammed Ali Road
as a kid , I used to frequent Nizam Street, which was off Mohammed Ali Road once a week along with my father late in the evenings ( to avoid the traffic)when we used to visit Aryan bakery ( our customers ) for payment collections.
This was also the place that exposed me at a very young early age to the labor community from Uttar Pradesh, who toiled so hard in these bakeries in order to provide bread or pow to the poorest in Bombay.
Aryan bakery closed down a couple of years ago, as the next journey of Parsi owners did not want to continue in this trade.
By the way, Mohammed Ali Johar, which was his full name was a great freedom fighters from the subcontinent who let the Khilafat movement along with his brother Shaukat Ali . He was an AMU alumni, of course. The great Ali Brothers👌🏾
Wow! Didn’t know any of this at all.
Also I knew you would pick out the bit on Md Ali Road given your affinity to the city, to the road, as well as all things Islamic!
Nice one buddy....Mohammed Ali Road...haven't been there for ages. But its such an important part of Bombay and you do get some really amazing stuff there. But going there is a pain man. But i hope you got what you wanted from there :)
Shukran habibi … of Md Ali Road … you’ll not last a minute there now. Even if you just decide to stay put in one place, you’ll find yourself a few metres away from your spot within a few minutes … without you actually walking. ‘Dhakka-bukki’ to another level.
OMG...not that im dying to visit that place :)
Im happy to use the overhead bridge.