mumbai nights

People seldom know Mumbai as the city of stars. It is clarified that by stars i mean bollywood stars, which are one of the prominent attractions which attracts every teenager squatting in some village far far away, up or down, dreaming of being the next Shah rukh khan. Stars as such are very difficult to find in this city where population and pollution is at the verge of spilling over. The old mumbaites say that this city used to be cold once. So cold that you had to take blankets to sleep at night. These days even wearing the least possible clothing on the skin can produce emmense quantity of perspiration.

This is just a jist to welcome you to mumbai: A city in constant turmoil, a city of conflict and tolerance, a city which has no memory and a city with its eyes only on the future. There is no place for the past in mumbai. There is just too much to forget, too much to forgive and no time to do so. The city teaches you to move on. Until you are moving here, you are safe.

The locals bring you literally close to people. Really close, so that you can even smell their efforts which they have digested or perspired through the day. I am lucky to be in the first class compartment, for i get a hybrid of this and the deodrants, which are so easily available these days. On the streets of mumbai, everything in the world is sold. You just need to be in the right place at the right time.

At night the scene changes slightly. The knights of the day, who have been fighting tirelessly, begin their journey back to their humble abode. Nothing seems like home after a tiresome day. This fact is made so real and probably that alone makes you forget the other minor things such as how big your apartment is or what other problems are there everyday. As a adult maybe that must be an added thought on your mind. No wonder my parents seem happy once they come back home and so tense when they are outside.

The sun sets on the marine drive before an audience of hundreds of people. It doesnt know the fact that very few people are observing it and understanding it. Instead most backs are turned towards it and people are busy staring at the other beautiful things around. I in my office, i make it a point to see it everyday. Not that i dont have other choices. Its just my way of saying goodbye to another day which god has let me see. The night grows darker as the lights in my office are put on. Busy with my work, it amuses me to observe this subtle change. Its 10 at night when my phone rings. Dad is calling, i know its time to make a move.

Its my fantasy that i want to roam at VT one night till i dont tire myself out. The broad open streets beckon me to walk on them. At night most buildings have lights which highlights all the corners of the building. The british architecture amazes me to think how a generation has passed. As i sit in the taxi, i observe how a vada pav wala washes his stall, A sandwich wala is still busy selling sandwiches to some people who are chatting merrily about the sudden disappearance of the rains this season. The traffic moves on to the station as I make my way from the city of the old to the city of the new. A continuous transfer yet the same mix of people.