Comments on: Khotachiwadi – a slice of history

By: tathagata

tathagata — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 06:59:37 +0000

PP, I think politics and democratization certainly have a role to play here.

Slum rehabilitation is a case in point. A lot of places like Khotachiwadi (not Khotachiwadi itself though) are being classified as slums, places like Koliwada, Cuffe Parade, Mahim, which are primarily fishing villages. These being ‘redeveloped’ will cause a part of the ethos of Bombay to disappear.

It is sad but as I replied to Zishaan, I hope these continue to survive, and our children will not miss out on all such things.

And, the seafood place (Anantashram) is very fundoo. Great food, no ambience, and rock-bottom prices.

By: tathagata

tathagata — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 06:42:52 +0000

Thanks, Kirti, PP and Neeta. I am glad you guys liked it.

By: neeta

neeta — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 04:07:40 +0000

Nice post, TM! Yes, its expensive to maintain these old houses. The 2-day Khotachiwadi Festival occurs every May (i hope they havent discontinued) to keep this 200-year old village going. During the festival, the houses are decorated & some shining examples (the house opp Anantashram) are kept open for visitors. Mind you, it feels quite odd to be traipsing through an occupied house. But the people here are very warm & welcome the urban hordes during these 2 days. They also put up food stalls offering authentic, home-cooked Goan & Maharashtrian fare. Hope you are putting up the Anantashram post soon!

By: Pratyush

Pratyush — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 03:40:25 +0000

Man in Bombay – Nice post. I am sad to hear from Zishaan and you about the state of many of the buildings there. I think crass commercialization, politics and mass-democratization (I dont know whether I love or hate this) are killing many aspects of our culture.

I think when our children grow up, they will think our traditional songs are bhangra, information is google search and books are boring. I shudder at the thought.

Interesting to note the seafood place – hmmm.

By: Kits

Kits — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:04:31 +0000

V nicely written. Bhalo aachi

By: tathagata

tathagata — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:24:25 +0000

Thanks, Zishaan.

This walk happened way back in April, and since it was my first time in Khotachiwadi, I had nothing to compare it against. But I remember that there were stretches where it just didn’t feel right – ill-maintained houses with paint peeling, newer constructions happening etc.

I think you are right – it is becoming tougher day by day to maintain those houses as they were. And that is tragic. The local residents and NGOs committed to preserving these spaces are fighting a losing battle. I sincerely hope that I will be proved wrong though.

By: Zishaan

Zishaan — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:43:39 +0000

Nice post, Tathagata. When I walked in Kotachiwadi in 2004, it looked very quaint and beautiful. I was there again in Aug 2009, but everything looked dilapidated and rotten. I noticed that the ‘The Assisi Mansion’ houses the Bhatijas. ‘The Shelter’ is now home to Shindes. A collapsed bungalow is now a (political) slum.

Is it just my memory failing or is it indeed an uphill battle to maintain those houses as they were – I don’t know.