by Rushina Munshaw-Ghildiyal
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The monsoons are here! Its been raining for the last two weeks here in Mumbai, India. The first couple of days it was great to have the monsoon finally here but now... ever been in a swimming pool and had it rain on you? That’s how it feels.
Clothes won't dry, hair is damp even the air is damp! (and redolent with the moldy smell of wildlife flourishing in sun deprived corners...).
Life as we know it in India, rush-rush-rush, run-run-run and stop-to-breathe-only-on-Sunday suddenly comes to a standstill as the railway system that connects the city -- comes to halt. Lucky people who have not left for work settle down to enjoy a sudden guilt free holiday with their families. Those that were on their way on trains, in buses and cars, sigh and settle down to wait.
Everywhere there is a feeling of resolution, "we cannot change it so let us make the best of it...".Slum dwellers will matter-of-factly elevate all their possessions from floor level as they leave for work in anticipation of flooding. Housewives tuck in their saris and prepare for days when there will be no maids/vegetables/electricity or sometimes all of those together and make arrangements for the comfort of their families through the season.
A season of unexpected guests knocking at your door dripping wet, stranded by rain. A season of budgets going out of the window (have to take a cab/ fix that leaking ceiling...) and barriers coming down as people are forced to accept a helping hand from total strangers. The season of romance (like in the movies) and urchins dancing in the spray of broken pipes. It brings out the best and the worst in its citizens (cabbies that play on the misfortunes of commuters and double their fares).
But .... Yeh mumbai hai ... (This is Mumbai) and I would not want to be anywhere else.
The endless curtains of rain outside my kitchen window have inspired some thoughts...
Chai
There have been many influences over the ages on the Indian way of life including the cuisine. Madhur Jaffrey, culinary icon, once commented “Nothing was ever discarded.”{In India} “It was made Indian”. “Cha” (tea) might have originated in China, The British might have added milk to it, but India in her inimitable style spiced it and served it up as “Chai”.
“Chai”, awakening in the morning, rejuvenating at days end, comforting in times of strife, an excuse for a break, a bond of affection…synonymous with the feeling homecoming…of completeness… Indians the world over love their Chai. We are incomplete without it…
Today chai has evolved to become a symbol of tradition in the homes of millions of families in India. It is part of the daily ritual of their lives. There are no formal ceremonial ways of preparing chai, and there are as many recipes as there are people in India but the majority of Indians imbibe it after tea leaves have been brewed for a while with ginger and spices that results in a smooth-textured, subtly-flavored, fragrant drink.
Pakoras - favorite fritters?
Last evening as the rain came down a great debate raged around our dinner table (the place where most debates rage). The all important question was Chocolate chip muffins (made by young "hip" daughter of the house (and my youngest sister) or "pakoras" made by north Indian "passé" son in law that loves to fry (my husband). Each maintained their suggestion was more appropriate to the sign-of-the-times/health./weather and god alone knows what else.... While this debate raged around me I found myself musing...
Something about the word fritters is there that does not do justice to Pakoras. "fritters' brings to mind insipid UFOs (Unidentifiable fried objects) whereas say "pakoras" and it brings to mind chunky, crispy, spicy .... I could go on and on ....
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