I have childhood memories of Hyderabad; my aunt and uncle were stationed there. Besides being my favourite aunt’s home, Hyderabad to me meant a whole lotta things – Juicy mangoes, matka kulfi, Ganna juice, the ubiquitous chilli bajjias besides the crispy cotton clothes! There is this place called ‘Charmas’ from where I was once gifted a purple colored frock and I felt like a princess wearing it! I clearly remember my cousin taking me (triples) along with his friend on a TVS 50 around the city… with his friend getting off at traffic signals to avoid the cops’ glare!
Cut to the last decade…Hyderabad …from once being a city that brought a twinkle to my eye….now left me hurt and totally disillusioned. It was here that I had my tete-a-tete with …despair, deciet, insecurity, and more wounds to nurse; in short a place I lost myself completely. I had begun to detest people from Andhra, the telgu language and anything remotely to do with the pearl city.
Couple of days ago, I had this oppurtunity to have an impromptu visit to the city again! I am glad it was a trip where I had very little reaction time to think about my past experience with the city. Just out of the airport, I was kissed by the crisp breeze blowing on my face. The roads were like magic…havent experienced flawless roads in a long long time now!
Whoever said Ahmedabad was a foodie’s paradise, I beg to differ. Hyderabad’s Arrived! Its no more to do with just the ..Mirchi ka Salan or the signature ‘Hyderabadi Biryani’! Wanna spice it up with an array of tongue tickling chutneys…then ‘Chutneys’ is the place you are seeking. Want a peshawari ambience in a low-lit setting, with men in khakhis taking your orders…Check out ‘Guffa’. U have the romantic bone in you …take your girl out to ‘Mehfil’. An ambience that adorns the sparkle of the golden sun, and the warmth of your love… transpired through the melody of a live-ghazal…a perfect combination to get her melt in your arms!
An early morning drizzle and I got to smell the raw earth, that got me take on to my feet…to dissolve in the redness of the reddest (I know such a term doesn’t exist!) flower in the garden. I had a huge ganesha smiling at me as if to wish me a good day ahead…cleared of all obstacles that I would have to face!
Come evening and I loved to watch the city adorn the twilight. Here I was looking at huge LCD screens, displaying colourful Ads from pension plans to the latest fruit drink in town. I have always noticed this thing about Hyderabad. People there try to ape the USA in whatever way possible. May be because a whole lotta people from there have their beta-betis-bahus living in the once-called Land of Oppurtunity! (I’d believe India’s the most happening place to be in right now!) For a Beverly Hills in the USA you have a Banjara Hills in aka-hyderabad; Missed visting the Universal Studios? A detour of the Ramoji Film city helps tickle your buds of imagination, if not completely satisfy it.
They say…Everything in life comes a full circle…and I cant agree with this any better! I had closely watched the city blossom into the Cyberabad...If you think India’s Shinning now…I’d say…Visit Hyderabad…its Celebrating Life! And for me it’s a mental battle I’ve own*!
* This little piece of cluttered typing is dedicated to those ‘S’pecial people who have made this possible by putting up with me even when I have been a such a pain to be with!
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