Danny Lea Photo Studio

Daniel Hsiung(popularly known as Danny) resident of St. John Baptist road has opened up his own photo studio near Bandra station where you can get your passport picture clicked and developed in just 5mins without a dip in quality. “Being a professionally trained photographer, I like people to look good in their pictures and so I creatively use studio lights and techniques to make a great picture”, says Danny. At his studio you can get all your run of  the mill photo requirements met and he’s also known to take out stunning portraits of men, women and families, and in case you want to go all out he even shoots portfolios for upcoming models.

Where: Opp. Jumbo Xerox, near Bandra station, Contact: 26434323/ 9820143323

Bandra: A Shopper’s Paradise

To me Bandra means many things: a gourmet suburb where new eating joints are always opening up; an art-attuned place that showcases diverse talents in the open air and in its auditoria for a knowledgeable audience; a cultural melting pot that communal disturbances have always left untouched…. and a Shopper’s Paradise.

Shopping is serious business in Bandra. Shoppers generally wait until the worst of the day’s heat wanes and then head for either Hill Road or Linking Road to begin their hunt. From 5 pm onwards the crowds begins to throng along the roads, riffling through hangers of shirts, pants, capris or ethnic wear. Some stalls just pile up clothes in an unruly heap and leave it to the browser to sort through for a matching set. The low prices of these stalls are what make the clothes irresistible.

But shopping here is only half the job; the other half is the bargaining. You are not worth your salt if you do not haggle over the price of every garment bought. If you find the vendor regarding you with mild contempt as he hands you your change, it’s because you have been insane enough to pay his asking price without bargaining!

Evenings on both these roads are a driver’s nightmare. Determined shoppers spill out onto the road space, turning a deaf ear to the honking traffic as they shop for that elusive garment. Drivers’ tempers fray as traffic crawls along a single lane in the third gear. It’s a known fact that chemists in Bandra stock half their shop with hypertension medication because that sells even faster than newspapers with pix of Janet Jackson’s wardrobe malfunction.

As I was editing this article, my friend dropped in. “Wotcha doing?” she asked, plonking down alongside me and reading over my shoulder. “You writing an article on shopping in Bandra? That’s rich, coming from you!”

“Why on earth….?” I protested, eyeing her with mild irritation. “I think I covered most of the subject!”

“Well,” she returned with brutal candour, pointing to the uniform of old-fashioned pleated skirt topped with an “Auntie” blouse that I practically live in. “I only said that because you usually dress like a Chutney Mary. Go pawn some of that gold you never wear and I’ll take you shopping. You need a total makeover and Hill Road’s just the place for it!”

– Crystal D’souza

Getting Knotty

Rakhi is around the corner so InBandra takes a look at some of the nicest (and some of the quirkiest) rakhis around Bandra.

Diamond studed Omkara,

a Pumjabi’s delight. Where:Richmond

Cost: Rs.45

Platter with sweet, rakhi and coconut Where:Richmond,
Cost: Rs.115

Feng Shui with evil eye

Where:Richmond

Cost: Rs.45

Platinum finish Ganpati

Where:Richmond

Cost: Rs95

Cartoon Rakhi of ZooZoo, and Lord Krishna

Where:Richmond

Cost: Rs.30 and Rs.20

Rakhi’s made by disabled children at ADAPT

Where: Soul Fuel Cost: Rs10 to Rs.2

The Vegeterian Spirit

Bandra has so much to offer when it comes to a drink, right from the age old bars serving up orders in a set-up that hasn’t changed in half a century to the trendy theme pubs that add a twist to this recreation of sorts.

Closing in on the perfect haunt can be quiet a task with the options at hand, but if you’re a vegetarian then there is a pleasant surprise in store! Dhanraj veg restaurant and bar is no newcomer but has recently received a facelift positioning itself as a swanky retreat for the thirsty vegetarian.

First impressions are positive with a welcoming smile as you walk through the two doors that take you to a comfortable and well set-up seating area which is neat with ambient music that goes well with the mood. Drinks on offer are vast right from whiskeys to tequila to wines there is a sampling of everything exquisite and regular. Beer is available in both the regional and import variants, a local pint will cost you Rs100 whereas an import is priced at Rs200 a pint. The complimentary spread that accompanies you’re drink is generous with peanuts, salads, channa masala, and a few spicy chivdas.

The food menu sports Indian, Marwadi and Punjabi pickings and there is the obvious choice of soups, starters, main courses and side dishes. The quantity and quality are both excellent with the order being served within 10 to 15 minutes. If you happen to arrive during the afternoon hours the Lunch @ Rs249 is an excellent deal with a choice of soup (Tomato or Lemon Coriander), starter (Pudina Tikka or Soundhe Alu), vegetable (Deewani Handi or Paneer Hara Pyaz) and a choice of tandoor breads and rice.

Where: Link Corner, Linking Road, next to the Swarovski outlet.

– Sheldon D’souza

Like Dat Only!

Writer: Meherzad Patel Director:Meherzad Patel Cast:Danesh Irani, Jim Vimadalal, Hardik Parikh, Afshad Kelawala, Sajeel Parakh, Aneri Pali, Maanvi Gagroo, Mihir Mehra

The title of the play was based on the attitude of youngsters today. The play uses  common campus lingo as its dialect and depicts how the youth of today are very laid back and any effort to change is left behind. Their response to it all as they shout in unison: “We’re like that only”. Each character in the play is a spokesperson of a particular personality trait. They’re different and yet very similar. Could they then be very much like each other without knowing it?. Find out on Sunday.

Where: St. Andrews Auditorium, When: Sunday, 2nd August, 7:00pm

A real mix

Pot Pourri really lives up to its name by introducing a range of quirky art and accessories on their menu. The restaurant is now showcasing home accessories, fun and great gift items from Delhi’s Happily Unmarried and a Mumbai NGO called Kuprakabi. They’ve got giant bulb lampshades (Rs.1800), funky photo frames, gum boot tissue holders (Rs.300), sexy leg bottle openers and my personal favourite- a show reel wine holder. Owner Kishore DF says, “We trying to bring back the element of funk that Pot Pourri was all about. The items we are stocking definitely reflect the natural elements of the restaurant.” Although their collection is right now just limited to a few shelves, they will be updating their items regularly. We recommend you check the stuff out as they are great and pretty reasonable gift ideas. Where: Turner Road

Dabeli at Pali Naka

Walking past the busy Pali Market, Annabella’s is a blink and miss it kinda place. But, if your nose gets the better of you then you could have found a nice (and super cheap) snack joint. Annabella’s food corner is barely a week old but already has a bunch of enthusiastic regulars. Why? Dabeli, Basket, Chatthe Raj Kachori Chat and strangely the Chinese Noodle Frankie! The Dabeli, for Rs.10, 15 if you want cheese (but obviously!), is stuffed with potato, pomegranate seeds, peanuts and onions in a heavily buttered grilled pav. A must try since this is one of the only places that sells it in Bandra. Basket and Raj Kachori chat adds its own spin on the humble snack. Try the mayonnaise Frankie if you want something sweeter (sorry, we weren’t adventurous). Nothing on the menu is more that Rs.45. Where: Passion Flower, Pali Naka, Contact: 26489936

Laugh out Loud at Andrews

The International Stand Up Comedy’s first show in Mumbai was a huge success and to make things funnier this time round, they’ll be bringing down not one but two comedians. This August, James Moffett, one of Australia’s hottest young acts and the winner of many “Best Newcomer’ Awards at various festivals will attempt to tickle your funny bone. James will be supporting Gordon Southern, who is considered to be one of the biggest stars on the international circuit. He is on his way to perform at the world’s most prestigious comedy festival – The Edinburgh Fringe. He will be performing his preview gigs in Mumbai. And Bandra is one of the stops.

Organiser Quill Potter says, “The show is going to be raw, untamed, offensive, disturbing, nauseating, shocking, unpleasant, horrific.” On second thoughts he adds, “No it’ll be nice unoffensive jokes about fluffy bunny rabbits and why they must die.” Finally he settles and says the show will be “Funny, these guys are at the top of their game – wouldn’t have brought them out otherwise.”

Comedian James says that he’s really looking forward to his first Indian show. He says, “This is my first trip out of Australia! So I am looking forward to everything, I am so bored with Australia. I mean Australia is great if you like dirt, kangaroos, football and meat pies! India and Indians are awesome! I can’t wait to be in a place of culture.” Hurry because tickets are likely to be sold out soon.

When: August 6th and 7th at 8.30 pm, Where: St. Andrews Auditorim

For tickets: ww.bookmyshow.com

What to expect:

James will tell us what happened when the first banana was discovered, what it was like living on a farm in out back Austraila with a one teeted cow and more.

Gordon will reveal why tigers can be good in bed but not so good in the sky and how to save your life in the event of a knife attack.

General stores become eco friendly

A cloth bag from Patel stores

Could Bandra actually being saying so long and farewell to the plastic bag? With better known general stores Patel and Sahakari opting for cloth bags, it seems so. Hirji from Patel Stores says, “We’ve started using bags made of fabric in addition to the better quality plastic bags. If items are too heavy we give the customer a plastic bag, but for smaller goods we give them a re-useable fabric one instead.”

He adds that the response he has gotten from patrons has been great. “Initially, we started using the fabric bags to comply with the government restrictions on plastic bags under a certain weight. But, our customers love it and say that it’s better for the environment. So, we’re glad that we are following the rules and helping the environment in a small way.”

However, Sahakari near the station has gone one step further. The store has started charging customers Rs.2 for plastic bags and will give you a Rs.1 on discount on every Rs.200 if you use cloth bags. A supervisor at the store says, “We have a lot of cloth bags on display to encourage customers to not use plastic. These bags are not expensive and customers are really happy with the option.”

Sadly, smaller shops, your local baniya and vegetable vendors continue to use flimsy plastic bags. Sunil Bhajiwalla at Pali Market says, “Of all my customers, just one carries a cloth bag. I always put the vegetables in a plastic bag unless they ask me not to.”

Shopper Vidya Malhotra says, “On average I use around 3-4 plastic bags per trip to the market. I try not to use the flimsy ones because you can’t reuse them. I know it’s not environmentally friendly but if you are in a hurry you have no other option.”

Road Rage

Anita Lobo who helps mind traffic at various bottle necks around Bandra is used to be involved in altercations. But recently, she found herself in one that beyond road rage and which ended with Anita being assaulted by a woman. We asked Ms. Lobo a few questions regarding the matter. She says, “Controlling traffic and people’s tempers is very stressful. The cops continuously tell me to be calm but when I try that, people take advantage and that creates more problems! As for the recent incident, a complaint has been made with the police who have been very helpful.”

Anita adds that although she would love for more people to volunteer no one is coming forward. Ms. Lobo says, “To be honest, I’d love the help but people can’t manage the way I do. A few citizens will help for a few hours but they leave once it gets too demanding.”

Local corporator Asif Zakaria says that although she may not be able to give out tickets people should abide by her traffic rules. Mr. Zakaria elaborates, “She is an official warden but giving tickets is up to the RTO. However, people should respect the work she is doing. She has been trained officially and knows all the rules of the road. As for handling irate people, sadly, there has been no real training.”

Bandra resident Rajesh Tahil says, “Anita has a thankless, high pressure job dealing with rude drivers who follow no traffic discipline whatsoever and often instead of offering support, people stand around and snigger when she is getting into fights which is despicable. I think she needs the encouragement, some training, some financial support and her occasional rudeness should be viewed in perspective. Better aggression than apathy.”

– Glynda Alves