Khot Wadi + Pydhonie

 

Sandhurst Road: Seasonal street food from Mumbai

Correct Food Series: Seasonal Food.

I recently read a book called FAT: The Body, Food and Obesity written by two doctors from Mumbai. I had the chance to meet one of them, Dr Kalpana Swaminathan once thanks to another writer friend Ajay Kamalakaran. Her co-author is Dr Ishrat Syed.

Between them, the two of them explore the lifestyle of the typical resident of Mumbai in detail, thrash and trash what we eat and drink. To be honest, the book is funny. The doctors have the humour of the well-meaning but strict family doctor who knows more about you than yourself.

However, I am not reviewing the book here. I am just sharing a few images of the types of food I encountered in one of the poorer parts of the city in Pydhonie. In a short stretch I saw this wide variety of seasonal food being served on push carts. The reason I am showing them is because, if we look around, there exists not-so-unhealthy food options on our streets that is affordable.

But don't get fat by 'gluttoning' healthy food.

Read a review of the book in Livemint.

From my point of view, the one reason to read the book is to look into how, what and why Mumbai eats.

And some not so healthy options

Kika Street

Horniman Circle + Pydhonie

Pydhonie

Colour Coded Medicines.

The colourful medicines at the Unani medicine store in Pydhonie reminded me of my first GP visit in Mumbai some years back. I was given medicines in small paper envelopes. The medicines in each packet had a different colour and I had no clue what the medicines were.

Pydhonie

Mumbai 3.
Pigeon holes and wide open skies.

Pydhonie

There are a number of bands that operate out of Pydhonie, in South Mumbai. Some of them have been performing at weddings and functions from as far back as 1840! Each of these bands have their speciality and perform for specific communities like Muslim, Punjabi, and Gujarati. These bands play more than just music. They rent out horse drawn carriages, decorations and in the case shown above, mythological style clothes for Gujarati families celebrating a family event with a procession from their home to the hall where the event is being held.

Pydhonie

The Sikandari Hotel, Opposite Pydhonie Police Station.

There's a special aroma when the meat curries simmer slowly over hot charcoal. It draws you into the soot darkened walls of this tiny restaurant. Yum!





The hotel is situated next to a mosque and there is a crowd of people seeking alms outside, hoping that a kindhearted worshipers would buy a meal. Sikandari is very affordable and their wish is very likely to fulfilled.