Iu2019VE known author and fellow Sunday mid- day columnist Meher Marfatia since the early 1980s. Sure, thatu2019s carbon- dating us. But her new book Once Upon A City celebrates carbon- dating in Mumbai as never before. And, fellow columnist Rahul daCunha has been a solid supporter of the book. The column has been wildly popular Now its juiciest morsels have been condensed into a plump, but handy- sized book. Its tagline: making the little stories of Mumbai matter.
Itu2019s a terrific gift for families, sundered by individual mobile phones, to unite over squealy, nostalgic sessions. Likewise, for sundered families and sworn enemies. Meher wears the cityu2019s formidable history light as a thistle. She quotes noted historians Sharada Dwivedi and Rahul Mehrotra, but is equally pleased to have an umbrella repairer be her local gully guide.
Above all, the book is a clarion call to Mumbaikars to acknowledge and reclaim our rich, multiple, national and international identities. The city is home to communities and the descendants of Maharashtrians, East Indians, South Indians, Punjabis, Bohris, Sindhis, Parsis, Catholics, Jews, Afghans, Persians, Arabs, British, the Portuguese and many more.
Been bowled out at cricket by a Bawa. Danced at the wedding of a Christian neighbour. Had a Muslim friend drop our sister home safely after tuitions. Had a Gujarati CA smartly save our tax. Had a Tamilian friend discreetly provide a school scholarship.
Showed off a gorgeous Jewish synagogue to foreigners.
Or variations thereof. If you took all these people out of the city, is there anything left to Mumbai? Or Mumbaikars? Toh khalipili bomabom kaiku kartai? Meenakshi Shedde is India and South Asia Delegate to the Berlin International Film Festival, National Award- winning critic, curator to festivals worldwide and journalist.
Reach her at meenakshi.
shedde @ mid- day. com Illustration/ Uday Mohite beyond bollywood Meenakshi Shedde
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