Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Bagh-e-Aam


Public Gardens aka Bagh-e-Aam was built by the Nizam regime in 1920s. As a kid I remember going to a place with my family which was full of greenery, flowers, fountains and never ending view of the sky. While my parents and relatives settles down with their irani chai, osmania biscuits and the overload of gossip session, we kids, myself, my sister and brother, sometimes cousins, used to run in the huge never ending garden of tiny mountains of lush green grass, screaming, dancing and singing until the lunch is ready to be served. We used to climb the mountains and roll down like a dice. There was so much to do in one whole day that it used to feel like just few hours. Later as I grew up, my dad enrolled me into this Saturday Art Special class conducted by Mr T. Vaikuntam at Jawahar Bal Bhavan. Although I had attended the class only once it's still embedded in my memory like a seal.

And how can one forget Lalitha Kala Toranam, the open theatre, inaugurated by the then CM Mr NTR as a service to general public to watch some beautiful telugu black and white movie of NTR, ANR, Anjali Devi and Jamuna, and many more, under the full moon night for free? Nostalgic.

Having completely lost touch with it due to my education and growing up, i re-discovered this place in early 1990s all by myself and was amazed. The State Archeological Museum is a delight for art lovers. The museum boasts of one of the richest repositories of antiques and art objects in the country including the Buddhist gallery, Brahmanical & Jain gallery, Bronze gallery, Arms & Armour gallery, Numismatics gallery, Ajanta gallery and more. Adjacent to the State Museum is the Contemporary Art Museum where i got introduced to the original watercolor wash technique art of Chugtai. Also this is where I first had a closest look of an Egyptian mummy. Brilliant!

This was 80s and 90s.

The new millennium saw a radical change and development in the nawabi city of Hyderabad. Most certainly this place also got affected.

2015 gives a very different picture altogether. Today whenever I visit Hyderabad, i make it a point to go for Friday prayers in the beautifully peaceful Masjid at the entrance of the garden. After finishing my namaz I just take a leisure stroll across the garden to see if something new has come-up. Definitely things are different now. Clearly this place is becoming more of political leaders set up (due to its adjacent Telangana Legislative and Assembly office) and for some stupid reason there are more and more concrete structures being built by the government than preserving its flora and fauna. Last I heard the locals have filed a case in the High Court to stop further construction of any sort of building in the gardens. Bravo!

But all said and done nothing actually is lost in the end. One can still spend a few hours lazing around doing absolutely nothing. Now won't that be so much fun!



















Monday, February 23, 2015

Mr Turk

Men's Fashion at Mr. Turk is always a continuum from the very simple, some might say boring, to the outrageous. While I must say I enjoy seeing some color on guys that interests me more is the less costume-y but interesting and creative looks.

As the saying goes, real men aren’t afraid of startling color, graphic prints or crisp tailoring, all elements that define Mr. Turk Menswear to a ‘T.’ Supremely comfortable tees, stylish polos or plaid long sleeve shirts (along with fall’s cargo shorts and five-pocket jeans), Suits or Underwear will have you well-kitted for the next stylish adventure—or lounging opportunity.

Color, texture, and pattern were seen in all kinds of stylistic choices. Here are some of my favorites of Mr Turk. Couldn't resist including them.

Don't forget to check out his mens jumpsuits in full and half length. Sexy!

If I have my way then its only Mr Turk for me everyday.























Thursday, February 12, 2015

Tea Pot cafe

Menu. Notice the stunning table cloth!

You will easily miss this blink-and-gone cute little cafe if you do not know the lanes of fort in and out and that's a task. Look at this, I cant even able to direct the lane myself here. Try google please.
This okey-dokey looking place from outside has some old world charm about itself from the inside. You feel like you've entered into someone's living room when you step inside. Old tiles, couches, mismatched chairs, curios and teapots! Tons and tons of teapots wherever you look. The set up gives you a very Himalayan-Dharamshala-look and feel. Beautiful soothing mint blue walls are very welcoming. Excellent arty-facts makes you feel at home. Well decorated windows takes you away in some Portuguese setup. Trust me this place will leave you saying aww for most of your time.
There is much to see around while your order gets ready. Handful of fashion, travel and film magazine kept on the table for you to browse, although they claim to have free Wi-Fi, it apparently was not working the morning we went. Luck?
The menu covers snacky dishes such as burgers, subs, sandwiches and meals such as pasta, salads, and a few Parsi dishes which excited me.
But then it was breakfast time and we settled down for Masala Omlett, Chocolate, Strawberry Pancakes, Masala Chai and Chicken Sausages. The service was fast. The food was delicious. The cutlery was to die for.
But the service I am sorry was very awful. The three ladies serving us were rude, loud and kept on talking some nonsense amongst themselves at the adjacent table while we were wishing to enjoy our meal at 11 in the morning. If you call them out asking for something, you were seeing as a culprit who is seriously disturbing their rendezvous.
The Teapot Cafe may not serve excellent food and beverages but it is reasonably good considering their prices. Don't have too high expectations and you won't feel let down.
One of the window display

Main sitting area

Another sitting area

Special of the day

Interesting quotes, arty facts and frames

Soothing sea blue walls

  1. Address: 15A, Homi Modi Street, Opp Bombay House, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001
    Phone:022 2265 4030
    Hours:
     

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