I Love You Hyderabad

Hyderabad the capital of Andhra Pradesh is a quaint village that suddenly became a mega city and later a megapolis bigger than the state of Goa. Old timers of Hyderabad still remember with nostalgia the good old days when things used to move at a slow pace (if they moved at all).

Hyderabadis are a class apart. The best of them are the local mechanics. The mechanic summoned frantically to the house would saunter in and nonchalantly examine the defunct electronic appliance and would announce “Mai Kal Avounga….” and go away leaving the customer in a lurch. This means that he might turn up again. . “Parsun” if uttered would mean most probably he would never come and “tarsun” means that he would definitely not come at all.

Ask any one who visit Hyderabad what he likes about the place and the prompt reply is Hyderabadi Biryani. This mughlai dish has won the hearts of food lovers in the world and no decent party is deemed complete unless a sumptuous portion of Hyderabadi Biryani is served and relished with lots of gusto. Hyderabadis are so fond of food that it is rumored that in wealthy Hyderabadi households the Biryani eaters would sit 5 inches away from the table and would only stop eating once the stomach touches the table. What if the foodie pushes his/her chair off by 2 or 3 inches when the stomach reaches the table? The traditional Hyderabadi valima reception costs lakhs of rupees but is hosted and enjoyed with  enjoyment and pride.

Haleem a traditional dish served during the Ramadan time is a hit with all the section of the society. Many non muslims have become die hard fans of Haleem and it tastes so nice only when it is prepared in the Ramadan season. Haleem prepared in off season does not taste the same. Pista House in old city is flooded by customers who don’t mind waiting in long queues as long as they can lay their hand and savor their favorite Haleem.

Irani cafes are very close to hearts of Hyderabadis. No day is deemed complete unless one goes to an irani café and has a extremely sweet irani tea and that too 1/2. The matter of fact waiters would dump the cup and one empty (cup) on the table and promptly disappear. One could argue and while away as much time as possible with out being bothered. As many Samosa or biscuits can be had one wishes. What is not consumed is cheerfully taken back. Beware of the smart waiter who would always jack up the bill by a few rupees. Those extra rupees if paid would be pocketed by the waiter.

One of the lank marks of Hyderabad is “Famous ice-cream” at Nampally where mouth watering seasonal Ice creams like cheeku, mango, sapoto etc are served at jaw dropping low prices. Famous Ice-cream (Now sadly spilt among the brothers as Shah and New Famous) is the only place where you could eat like a king and pay like a pauper.

Ganesh chaturdi the big Indian festival is a sort of carnival at Hyderabad. It is a time for local urchins to collect money (sometimes forcefully) to set up a pandal and then proceeds to enjoy themselves for ten days. Every thing is fair including raunchy remix songs and record dances with ear spiting sound. Thankfully the old funnel speakers have been replaced with box speakers in the recent times.

A Hyderabadi was driving in USA and a car overtook him and passed him very closely. A choice Hyderabadi gali was thrown at the offender who screeched to a halt and forced the Hyderabadi off road. The Hyderabadi was scared. He did not want a panga (a fight) with the foreigner. The FOREINGER excitedly crowds the Hyderabadi and questions “aap Hyderabad sey hai kya?” The gali was the trigger. Any Hyderabadi any where in the world can recognize another Hyderabadi by their peculiar lingo, slang and the galis that Hyderabadis flung at each other with gay abandon.

Second hand/Old book stalls from Abids to Koti on a Sunday are a treat by themselves. They are equal to hundreds of libraries. Strolling the roads of Abids is the best way to work out the slumber out of a heavy Sunday lunch. The book sellers are a cheerful merry lot who don’t mind a nice slinging/bargaining match. What the hell, after all it is a holiday and one can loosen up at least on a Sunday. An ode to Hyderabad. Thus goes the saying “Jo Piya Gandipet ka pani, woh ho gaya Hyderabadi”. You can take Hyderabadi out of Hyderabad but you can’t take Hyderabad out of a Hyderabadi.