Dabeli had a different name in its previous birth in Mumbai

The city of Mumbai is getting overcrowded with more and more restaurants. But its roadside food culture is showing no signs of dying down. In fact, the street food stalls are also growing at a numerous rates. Needless to say, most of them serve Mumbai’s traditional favourite Vada Pav and Bhajji Pav.

But another dish that has risen to fame over the last decade or so has been Dabeli. It is a variety where brown coloured potato masala is tucked into the Pav and is filled with pomegranate seeds and spicy peanuts. The Pav is then fried on a pan with butter and served with shev.

But it would be wrong to think that Dabeli has acquired fame only since last 10-12 years. If you happen to be a youngster who grew up after the 1990s, you might feel this is true. But that is not the case. The dish has been satisfying the tastebuds of Mumbaikars before the mid-1990s.

The only difference, however, was that it had a different name. In the early to mid-1990s, Dabeli was called Double Roti. I clearly remember buying Double Roti on various occasions then. It was only known by this name. The word ‘Dabeli’ was never heard of.

But then somewhere after the early-2000s, people selling it started calling it Dabeli. Obviously, the buyers also started addressing it with the same name. It tastes exactly like what it was called before – Double Roti. The only difference was that earlier the Pav wasn’t fried while now it was and it wasn’t served with shev. All other ingredients remained the same.

Recently, I and a friend got curious as to how the name of a popular dish got changed over the years. I tried asking a few friends who were well-versed with Mumbai’s street food culture but even they didn’t know an answer.

We were clueless until I struck up a conversation with a Dabeli wala at Versova in Andheri recently. The guy told me that the Dish originated in Gujarat. And he and many others like him migrated to Mumbai and, obviously, started selling it with its original name – Dabeli.

Also read: 5 types of Chai available on Mumbai's streets

This guy further said that he came to Mumbai around 16-17 years ago and has been selling Dabeli ever since. In other words, he has been doing this business in Mumbai since the early-2000s. This explains how the name changed from Double Roti to Dabeli from that period.

Curiously, I did a Google search to know the history of Dabeli. I came across a newspaper cutting in Quora. The article claims that the variety was invented by the late Mohanbhai Nathbava in Mandvi village in Kutch, Gujarat in 1964. It says that he started off by selling mashed potato Bhaaji in Pav and slowly transformed it into Dabeli, which translates into English as ‘pressed.’

So, we can assume that some fellow from Mumbai got inspired and started selling it as Double Roti.

But call it what you want, it won’t change the fact that Dabeli is delicious!

By: Keyur Seta

Also read:

Bombay 1960s: When this govt card was mandatory to buy milk

How Bal Thackeray's 'Marmik' magazine looks today

Shiv Sena Chief Bal Thackeray started a magazine to publish his cartoons called 'Marmik,' which translates to 'from the heart.' As most of us from Mumbai would know, he started off as a cartoonist with the Free Press Journal.

But he later felt the need to start his own weekly for which he got his father Prabodhankar Thackeray's support. This is how Marmik was born on 13 August 1960. It was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister Yashwantrao Chavan at Dadar's Balmohan Vidya Mandir.

The main aim of Marmik was to publish Thackeray's Vyang Chitra or Satirical Cartoons on the current socio-political scenario in Maharashtra. Along with that, he also used 'Marmik' to propagate his political views and to trigger protests on issues close to him.

'Marmik' turned into a full fledged political weapon, naturally, after he formed his political party Shiv Sena in 1966. Now, the magazine became all the more fiery with political cartoons and views. What started as a satirical cartoon magazine now became a mouthpiece to publish Thackeray's views for and against anyone or anything related to Maharashtra.

Old Marmik dated 1970 when Shiv Sena called for Mumbai Bandh

Much later in 1988 Thackeray started Shiv Sena's Marathi daily newspaper called 'Samana.' But he continued 'Marmik' simultaneously. From here onwards, Thackeray's views and editorials started appearing in 'Samana' more than 'Marmik' as the former was a more ideal place for such write-ups.

Despite 'Samana's popularity, the editions of 'Marmik' were continued non-stop. But somewhere down the line, the popularity of the magazine decreased. This didn't have anything to do with its quality or content but with 'Samana' becoming a stronger mouthpiece for the party.

This one was published when the textile mills in Lalbaug and Parel area were shutting down. 

In the last decade or so, we have witnessed the decline in the sale of magazines which is multiplying with every passing year. Some of them are shut down, naturally. Hence, I thought the same whould have happened with 'Marmik' too.

Also see: Photo tour of Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2020

However, last month when I was just walking past a newspaper vendor, I just stopped and was pleasantly surprised to see the latest edition of 'Marmik.' I bought it instantly. It costs only Rs 5.

I then realized that a lot of my near and dear ones were also unaware that 'Marmik' is still coming up with newer editions and is very much active. Hence, this blog post.

Here's how 'Marmik' looks today, 60 years after it was launched:

In the edition I got, I could not find too much of political stuff except a dig at India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for the state of the economy and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Chandrakant Patil for his comments on Maharashtra's Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.

Here's an interesting article on how the names of various places in Mumbai were derived from.

'Marmik' is not devoid of cartoons. Apart from the two political pieces, I could find few political sketches and a section on political one-liners which, obviously, in Shiv Sena's favour.

This is a coverage of the annual fruits and flowers exhibition in the famous Ranibaug of Mumbai.

Apart from these items, 'Marmik' has sections on recipes, devotion, astrology, short stories, experience articles, jokes, etc.

By: Keyur Seta

Additonal reading:

Play Review: Manshaa Ki Shaadi 

Bombay 1960s: When this govt card was mandatory to buy milk

Manshaa Ki Shaadi: Hindi Play Review

As per the title, Manshaa Ki Shaadi is about Manshaa's wedding. The stage is set for her to marry the guy chosen by her parents. Like every mother, Dulaari (Aarti Tiwari) is hell-bent in ensuring that everything goes as per plan.

Hence, she personally checks every development, right from the decorations to the food arrangements to the stay of the large number of guests. In other words, it is impossible for Dulaari to stay at one place, although her husband and Manshaa's father is taking things likely.

But just moments before the wedding, a shocking twist takes place which freezes Dulaari. How will she solve the problem? The bigger question is, will she be able to?

Written by Ketki Pandit and directed by Zameer Kamble, Manshaa Ki Shaadi, which is a solo act, starts off with the wedding festivities. Despite the stage being almost empty, the scene of a wedding house is brought alive in front of you. You feel the presence of a very Rajshri Production-like scenario in front of you.

But of course, it all changes after the major twist. If by the title and the promotional material you felt this is going to be a wedding play, you will be mistaken pretty quickly.

The shift in tale and its consequences are handled with finesse as Dulaari struggles to improve the situation but doesn't give up.

Much to your surprise, Manshaa Ki Shaadi ends with a progressive message. It tries to bridge the gap between the older and newer generations. But more importantly, the play encourages one to come out of the 'log kya kahenge' syndrome.

Although this is a story of a mother and daughter, it will be relatable even to the duo of father and son simply because Indian parents are obsessed with the wedding of their child or children.

In a solo play of around one hour, it is of utmost importance for the script to not only be watertight but also gripping. This is exactly what writer Ketki Pandit has brought to the table here. As mentioned before, the wedding scenario is brought in front of you despite it not being there. The icing on the cake is the continuous humour.

No matter how great the content is, a solo act depends wholly on the actor to do the final justice to it. Aarti Tiwari has done that stupendously. She has literally lived the character and the different emotions that come with it. Her way of interacting with the audience deserves special mention.

As far as the minuses are concerned, Dulaari should have shown a degree of shock when the twist occurs. Although the idea is to keep the play light-hearted, a little moment of shock could have been gelled in.

This is not a major issue though. Overall, Manshaa Ki Shaadi is entertaining and thought-provoking, especially for parents.

Writer: Ketki Pandit
Director: Zameer Kamble
Cast: Aarti Tiwari

Review by: Keyur Seta

Chembur Festival 2020: Photos

It has barely been days since Mumbai's Kala Ghoda Arts Festival (KGAF) wound up and another part of the city is already been celebrated. The 9th edition of the Chembur Festival 2020 is currently on in Mumbai and will remain so till Monday 17 February.

It is an arts festival, very much on the lines of KGAF where an entire street comes alive with art works and stalls. The one artwork that caught everyone's eyes this time was the selfie point where some pretty-looking post boxes are installed. This makes you realize that we hardly use post these days.

You will also find stalls selling a wide variety of items. But what makes the Chembur Festival stand apart is that it has a much larger space. So much so that they have a separate lane for food and beverages. They serve Chaat, Dabeli, Pani Puri, cakes, soda, ice gola and some heavy food items too, both veg and non-veg.

Also see: Photos: Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2020

Today the Chembur Festival also saw a musical concert by singer Amit Kumar, son of the legendary singer and actor Kishore Kumar, at the Chembur Gymkhana ground. Along with singing songs, he also kept the audience in splits with his funny acts.

There was also an display of dance with weapons by people from a Sikh group.

Here are some more pictures from the Chembur Festival 2020:

Also see: Bombay 1960s: When this govt card was mandatory to buy milk

Amit Kumar performing

Dance with weapons by a Sikh youth

The same post boxes at night 

By: Keyur Seta

Bombay 1960s: When this govt card was mandatory to buy milk

Over the years we have gotten used to using cards to buy a wide range of items, especially since we understood the importance of going cashless. But once upon a time in the state of Maharashtra way back in the 1960s people used to buy milk through a card.

No, this wasn’t a cashless transaction as the term itself was unheard then. Actually it was mandatory for people back then to get a ‘milk card’ in order to buy milk, as per the rule imposed by the then Maharashtra Government. In other words, you wouldn’t get access to milk if you didn’t have a permit in the form of this card even if you had money to buy it.

Yes, you read it right.

Somehow, my family in Mumbai has preserved this card over all these decades. I can’t thank them enough since I haven’t found anyone in the city who still has this card. Even after Googling about the same, I am unable to find anyone to have mentioned this anywhere on the internet.

As you can see in the picture, this is a simple card made of aluminium. It mainly only consists the words ‘Govt of Maharashtra Milk Scheme, Bombay.’ The name of my grandfather ‘M V Seta’ indicates that it belongs to us.

Back then, one could buy milk only from government milk stalls that are still called ‘Doodh Kendra.’ They used to provide milk in glass bottles.

My father tells me that the mandatory rule of getting milk only through this card was done away with somewhere in the 1970s. From then onwards, anybody was able to buy milk without any card. However, it was mandatory to provide empty bottles in exchange of bottles filled with milk.

I clearly remember in the early and mid-1990s going to buy milk in exchange of empty bottles. Today, people might find it difficult to believe that there used to be a long queue as early as 5:30 or 6 am back then to buy milk in our area in Dadar west.

We have come a long way now when anyone can order home delivery of milk literally by just a few clicks or swipes.

By: Keyur Seta 

Photos: Kala Ghoda Festival 2020

It's that time of the year again when the arts enthusiasts and aficionados of Mumbai gather at an iconic place in the southern part of Mumbai for the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival. This is another reason why this period is loved by a section of the Mumbaikars. The other being the winter; a respite from the terrible heat.

So, like every year, the pretty Kala Ghoda street is made prettier with a number of artistic works not limited to sculptures, paintings, sketches, photographs, etc.

Kala Ghoda Festival also offers opportunity to plenty of businesses to put up stalls to sell a large range of items from clothes to art items to food.

The festival is an ideal place to click photos. We did the same.

Here are some colorful glimpses from Kala Ghoda Festival 2020:

Also see: 5 types of chai available on Mumbai’s streets

5 types of chai available on Mumbai’s streets

Mumbai is known for its rich culture of street food with Vada Pav being its more famous offering. But not much is spoken about the different types of teas available on the roads of this city. One might feel all roadside teas might taste the same but that is far from the truth.

Mumbai’s streets offer wide varieties of teas and they all vary in terms of the taste, ingredients, ambience and experience. If there is something like tea versatility, it’s in Mumbai.

Here are 5 different types of teas you can find in the city:

Cutting chai

People who have been living in Mumbai need no introduction to the city’s special cutting chai. But for the uninitiated, ‘Cutting chai’ is the measurement for tea which is not too much or too less. You will find countless tea stalls or tapris, as they are locally called, in every nook and corner of the city serving tea in such quantities in small or medium-sized glasses.

Their tea is strong with ginger or elaichi or both. You may find stalls putting only ginger but you will seldom find a stall that puts only elaichi. On days you are tired with too much running around in the city, one or two quantities of cutting chai can work wonders. If you don’t like your tea to be strong, there are other options below.

Price: Rs 6 or 7

Nagori tea

Around 6-7 years ago, Nagori brand of tea stalls slowly started cropping up in the city. An expert told me that they are mostly Muslims from Hyderabad who have settled here to sell tea. Slowly, they have broadened their reach in the city.

Their tea is for those who prefer tea with more milk [paani kum, as it is called here]. What makes their tea special is the generous amounts of elaichi they put. Nagori is also for those who can’t have ginger tea at normal tapris because of acidity issues.

Price: Rs 8

Sophisticated tea stalls 

Over the last few years, unique tea stalls like Saiba Amrutalay have emerged not only in Mumbai but also in other places in Maharashtra. Another recent name is Premacha Chaha. They all have specific hygienic interiors and they serve teas in those white cups [it’s difficult to fit your finger in their handles but that’s okay].

Their tea is delicious to say the least. They only add elaichi. But they are different from Nagori as they don’t make their tea too milky. Unlike other stalls, one is required to take coupons here.

Price: Rs 10

Copper tea

This entry will be a surprise even for most Mumbaikars. A tea stall in Dadar (west) serves tea made in copper vessels. You might feel, what’s so special in this? Well, making the tea in copper gives it a different taste altogether. This is exactly the reason why they don’t add any masala, elaichi, ginger or anything because there is just no need. Plus, having any food cooked in copper also has health benefits.

The stall is called Ambaji Tea Stall and it’s on Gokhale Road (north).

Price: Rs 10 for cutting and Rs20 for full

Irani cafés

The Irani Hotels, as they are called, don’t exactly fall in the roadside category. But we have included them since their quality of tea and their target audience is the same. These cafes are simple with their retro-styled interiors and sitting arrangements that bring back memories of the old, uncomplicated Bombay.

The tea served here is not strong but impressive enough to satisfy a tea lover. And if you are not calorie-conscious, you should try the combination of their tea with Bun Muska [big bread with loads of butter]. They also serve ‘Paani kum chai,’ which translates to tea with very little water and more milk.

Price: Rs 20

By: Keyur Seta