Indian Authors - Book Review of Mrs Funnybones byTwinkle Khanna

I was recently introduced to this book by one of my colleagues.   I had never read any article of Twinkle Khanna earlier.  It would be better to say that I didn’t even know she could write.   So, when I saw this book, I was quite intrigued and wanted to know what the famous daughter of star couple Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia had to write.   It was with a mixed feeling and misgivings that I opened the book.  But the first page I skimmed kind of arrested me and riveted my attention.   I finished the book in about 6-7 hours of non-stop reading.    more..  

Read my review of the second book of Twinkle Khanna : The Legend of Lakshmi Prasad

Qutub Minar

It was my third visit but I am still quite awed by the magnificence of this edifice along with  all the other ruins and architectural marvels spread around it.   I wanted to go slow and cover each and every curve and the angle of the place but we were in a hurry.   I felt a tinge of disappointment when we had to finally turn back as the sun was setting upon it.  Click for more..

For other monuments at Mehrauli, visit my blog on Zafar Mahal,  Alai Minar, Sanderson's Sundial, Tomb of Iltutmish

For other tourist attractions in Delhi, visit my blogs on  Humayun's Tomb, Safdarjung's Tomb, Lodhi Gardens,  Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Lotus Temple

Bhul Bhuliyan - A tomb of Akbar's Foster Brother

It was a chance meet.  We went looking for something else and this fell into our lap!

We were out looking for Zafar Mahal and we came up on this lofty structure.  While it was a complicated exercise locating Zafar Mahal, Bhul Bhuliyan as it is popularly called, was standing tall right in the middle of the Mehrauli Square. more...

For other monuments at Mehrauli, visit my blog on Zafar Mahal,  Qutub Minar, Alai Minar, Sanderson's Sundial

For other tourist attractions in Delhi, visit my blogs on  Humayun's Tomb, Safdarjung's Tomb, Lodhi Gardens,  Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Lotus Temple

The lost glory of Zafar Mahal

I had never heard of Zafar Mahal till some days ago when my husband brought it up as one of the places we should be visiting.  And to know that it was in Mehrauli which is about 15 minutes from where we live was even more astounding. more..

For other monuments at Mehrauli, visit my blog on Qutub Minar, Alai Minar, Sanderson's Sundial

For other tourist attractions in Delhi, visit my blogs on  Humayun's Tomb, Safdarjung's Tomb, Lodhi Gardens,  Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Lotus Temple

Who was Safdarjung and what is with his tomb?

The Safdarjung Tomb stands majestically at the Lodi Road T-point intersecting with the Aurobindo Marg. I always wondered at the name Safdarjung. We had a Safdarjung Hospital, the Safdarjung Airport, the Safdajung Enclave, the Safdarjung Road, but if you had ever asked me who Safdarjung was, I would have given you the proverbial side eye.  more...

For other monuments at Mehrauli, visit my blog on Zafar Mahal,  Qutub Minar, Alai Minar, Sanderson's Sundial

For other tourist attractions in Delhi, visit my blogs on  Humayun's Tomb, Lodhi Gardens,  Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Lotus Temple

Delhi Haat - Chaupal at the Town Square

Delhi Haat or “Dilli Haat” as it is popularly called, is an interesting amalgamation of a set of people coming together to buy and sell fabrics, crafts, art, food, and small things that are cute and interesting.   There are 3 of them in Delhi but I have visited only the one near INA and as far as I have gathered from my friends and colleagues who have visited the other locations (Pitampura and Janak Puri), this one is the best. more...

The Iron Man of Kerala

It was when I was last visiting my mom in Kerala, I got to see him in person.   My mom used to tell me that he comes every fortnight to see if they need his services.   

But nothing had prepared me for this!

This was a completely new concept! 

In earlier days, we used to do all our ironing at home.  I only remember the good old electric iron and then came the steam irons which were a little more comfortable and helped us get a wrinkle free appearance.  Once we came to Delhi, there were people doing the ironing for an entire colony.  They would come and collect washed clothes from our home and take it to their shed which was usually in one corner of the colony.   They would  iron  all the clothes and keep them separate – house by house so it is easy for them to take it back.  And they would charge some money for this service – it started off from Rs.1/- per material to now almost Rs.10/- per cloth.  One gets to know the rate of inflation from these price rises!!

In Kerala, when we used to go as children, I remember having seen this iron metal box.  My grand mother and Aunts would put hot coals into this box so it heats up.   And this was used to iron the clothes then.

So, this complete transformation from ironing at home and then giving it to someone else to take the clothes for ironing to now a person coming with all the paraphernalia to your doorstep to do the service for you, was completely new to me.

It is a complete set.  The iron, the iron board, coals, etc.  The only thing he would need is clothes that my parents were ready to give and some water so he could spread it on the clothes for the steam effect.

Once he got the clothes, he would fire up the coals, and transfer them into the iron and then get busy with the work.   Once done, he would handover the clothes and collect his money and leave!!