How to Solve the Housing Problem

SPACE MANAGEMENT

How Mulla Nasrudin  Solved a Housing Problem

By

VIKRAM KARVE

Dear Reader, here is an apocryphal Mulla Nasrudin Story to brighten up your Sunday

One day Mulla Nasrudin’s neighbour came over to ask for some advice on how to manage his large family in his tiny little house.

“Dear Mulla Nasrudin,” he bemoaned, “my house is so small that all of us just cannot fit inside – me and my wife, my mother-in-law, three children... we are all so cramped up in our small cottage where there is hardly any space. You are a wise man, and maybe you can find some solution to my problem so please tell me what to do...”

“I noticed that you rear chickens – how many chickens do have in your barn behind your house...?” Nasrudin asked.

“I have five chickens and a rooster,” the neighbour said.

“Take them all into the house...”

“What...?” the neighbour asked aghast, “how is it possible...? My house is already so small and overcrowded. Where is the place for the chickens...?”

“Try it...you just do what I say,” Nasrudin insisted, “And I am sure you will come and meet me tomorrow and tell me that your problem has been solved.” 

The neighbour was not convinced but he did not dare to question the wisdom of Mulla Nasrudin, so he took the five chickens and the rooster inside the house. 

The next morning he ran to Nasrudin’s house.

“You have made our problem worse – me, my wife, my mother-in-law, three kids, five chickens and a rooster – it is impossible for all of us to fit inside the small house – there is no space at all...” the neighbour lamented.

 

However, Mulla Nasrudin ignored his griping and asked the man, “You have a donkey, don't you...? I have seen a donkey tied up outside your house...”

“Yes, Nasrudin, I have one old donkey,” answered the neighbour. 

“Take the donkey into your house...” Nasrudin told the man. 

No matter how much the neighbour protested, Nasrudin maintained that it was for his best and the hapless neighbour did as he was told and took the donkey into the house. 

The next morning, he ran back to meet Nasrudin, and said in total despair, “Nasrudin, it is just not possible. The wife, the mother-in-law, the kids, the chickens, the rooster and the donkey... We had a most terrible night. There is no room even to breathe...”

“If I remember correctly, you have two lambs, don’t you...?” Nasrudin asked his neighbour.

“Oh, No... Please don't tell me to take the lambs in... There will be total chaos…” 

“Don't worry, my friend,” Nasrudin interrupted and assured the desperate neighbour, “You will thank me for solving your problem in the end....just take the lambs into your house...” 

The neighbour, hoping against hope that Nasrudin’s crazy advice may miraculously work out, took the two lambs into his packed house that night.

 

The next morning, the neighbour, in a totally inconsolable state, landed up at Mulla Nasrudin’s door, and pleaded in agony, “Nasrudin, why are you torturing us, making us suffer like this...? My small house is jam-packed, teeming with bodies and stinking with foul odour. My mother-in-law is threatening to kill me, my wife is about to leave me and my children are furious. It is appalling, sickening... your advice has made matters worse...”

Nasrudin patiently listened to his neighbour and said nonchalantly: “Okay, now take all the animals and birds out of the house – chickens, rooster, donkey and lambs – all back to the garden, back to the barn, back to the shed. Throw them all out of the house to where they belong...” 

So Mulla Nasrudin's neighbour rushed home and threw all the animals out of his house.

Next morning the grateful neighbour thanked Mulla Nasrudin, “Sir, you are indeed a wise man. You solved my problem. Now, our house is so large, so roomy, and so airy, so much space for everyone, kids can play, we can sleep, everyone is happy. Thank you so much.”

 

Thus, Mulla Nasrudin solved the housing problem and also demonstrated that SPACE is a relative concept.

VIKRAM KARVE

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer. Educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures(2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories, creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional research papers in journals and edited in-house journals for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for almost 14 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing. Vikram lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts. 

Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com

Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve

Vikram Karve Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve

Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm

Email: vikramkarve@sify.com          

vikramkarve@gmail.com 

Fiction Short Stories Book

COCKTAIL : Short Stories about Relationships By VIKRAM KARVE

http://www.flipkart.com/cocktail-vikram-karve-short-stories-book-8191091844?affid=nme

http://www.indiaplaza.in/cocktail-vikram-karve/books/9788191091847.htm

http://www.apkpublishers.com/books/short-stories/cocktail-by-vikram-karve.html

Foodie Book:  Appetite for a Stroll

http://books.sulekha.com/book/appetite-for-a-stroll/default.htm

http://www.flipkart.com/appetite-stroll-vikram-karve/8190690094-gw23f9mr2o

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

BLOGGING and CREATIVE WRITING

IS BLOGGING SUITABLE FOR CREATIVE WRITING

Musings of a Wannabe Writer

By

VIKRAM KARVE

I’ve got feedback that my blog posts are too long.

I agree.

My span of attention on the screen is much less than my span of attention on paper. Also, my eyes get fatigued faster too. I noticed this while reading an ebook on my friend’s reader recently and decided to defer buying an ebook reader till I feel more comfortable.

At least, as of now, I prefer to read paper books. They say ebooks will soon edge out paper books and the “electronic word” will replace the “printed word”. This will surely affect writing style and a wannabe author like me must take note of it.

Brevity, simple words, small paragraphs, light forgettable reads – these seem to be the requisites of new creative writing. You are just going to glance through, browse, something like seeing a movie, rather that seriously read, pause, reflect, assimilate, absorb, ruminate and then let what you have read perambulate in the mind for years to come. There will be a paradigm shift in reading style – new-age reading will be hurried, “read and forget” style; not the erstwhile unhurried “read and savour” style. You have no time to think or to ponder over what you have read – you just want to read and forget, and get on with the next page.

Writers cannot afford to “tax the brain” of the reader, since when you read on a laptop or PC screen you cannot think as clearly as when you read on paper. I have noticed this myself during my research work too, when I referred to IEEE journals, which were earlier on paper and now are available online only. In fact, on many occasions, I had to download and take printouts of research papers and then meticulously read them later on.

It is true for creative writing too. I still remember stories I have read long back during my schooldays (on paper), but what I read online on the internet I forget very fast. On the internet, when you read online, or on your laptop screen, you tend to read fast, as there seems to be an underlying sense of urgency to finish and go to the next page or website. In fact, sometimes I don’t have the patience to even finish what I am reading. Also, there are distractions of enticing advertisements and seductive pop-ups and alluring clickable url links which tend to lure you away to new websites. Just imagine reading epics like WAR AND PEACE online. Maybe, you’ll have to take a printout and read it in peace, but then that defeats the very purpose of the electronic word and online literature.

Of course, there will be a great advantage if the proliferation of online literature reduces monopolies of the “literary middlemen” like publishers, distributors, editors, agents etc and facilitates seamless interface between authors and readers. Look at the phenomenon of blogging, for instance. Blogging has made it so easy for so many budding authors to unleash their creativity and display their talent which earlier was very difficult, since the decision whether to publish a literary work or not was exclusively in the hands of editors who formed a barrier between authors and readers. Now you can just post it on your blog for the world to read, appreciate and, most importantly, give you feedback, since blogging is interactive in nature.

I once read somewhere that characteristics of good writing can be encapsulated in three factors (Writing Triad):

CLARITY

BREVITY

SINCERITY

Similarly, the three characteristics of good blogging (Blogging Triad) are:

FREQUENCY (of posting)

BREVITY (of posts)

PERSONALITY (of the blog/blogger)

So let me introspect on my own blogging:

I have been posting quite regularly. Yes, my blogging FREQUENCY is quite good.

My blog has a distinctive PERSONALITY. So that point is taken care of.

It is the BREVITY aspect that I have to focus on – most of my posts are too long. When reading online one doesn't have the same patience and concentration as one has while reading a book on printed paper.

From now on I will endeavour to keep my blog-posts “short and sweet” – after all, “Brevity is the Soul of Wit”.

Oh My God – I have already exceeded 500 words. Maybe I ought to quit blogging. I hate to “count words”. It affects my flow and the quality of my writing.

Tell me, Dear Fellow Blogger, do you have the patience to read a long post? Do you find my posts, especially my fiction short stories, interesting? Maybe I should quit blogging and focus on publishing my creative writing in printed books. But then how do I reach out to so many readers all over the globe?

It is indeed a Catch 22 situation, so while I ruminate over this, please advise me and give me your suggestions, my dear readers and fellow bloggers. I eagerly await your comments and feedback.

VIKRAM KARVE

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer. Educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures(2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories, creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional research papers in journals and edited in-house journals for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for almost 14 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing. Vikram lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts. 

Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com

Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve

Vikram Karve Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve

Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm

Email: vikramkarve@sify.com          

vikramkarve@gmail.com 

Fiction Short Stories Book

COCKTAIL : Short Stories about Relationships By VIKRAM KARVE

http://www.flipkart.com/cocktail-vikram-karve-short-stories-book-8191091844?affid=nme

http://www.indiaplaza.in/cocktail-vikram-karve/books/9788191091847.htm

http://www.apkpublishers.com/books/short-stories/cocktail-by-vikram-karve.html

Foodie Book:  Appetite for a Stroll

http://books.sulekha.com/book/appetite-for-a-stroll/default.htm

http://www.flipkart.com/appetite-stroll-vikram-karve/8190690094-gw23f9mr2o

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION - A Good Lecture

EFFECTIVE PUBLIC SPEAKING

How to Deliver a Good Lecture

By

VIKRAM KARVE

When you deliver a lecture or speak to an audience there is an ethical aspect involved. Remember, any time a human being, or entity, intervenes in the life of another human being, or entity, directly or indirectly, an ethical situation arises. When you speak to someone, or try to teach, train or instruct someone, you are intervening at the intellectual level, trying to inform the person, or influence his way of thinking, and thus this has an ethical dimension. And what is the use if you are not able to get across to your audience effectively and thereby not be able to optimally achieve the objective of speaking to the audience. Read on what you must do to ensure maximum effectiveness while delivering a lecture or public speaking. 

Whenever I begin to deliver a lecture, before I start speaking, I tell myself this apocryphal story:

A renowned Management Guru entered a large lecture hall to deliver a lecture on Motivation to the employees of a large industrial organization.

To his horror he found that the large hall was empty except for a young man seated in the front row.

The Management Guru asked the solitary audience who he was.

“I am a Cook in the Industrial Canteen,” said the young man.

The Management Guru, pondering whether to speak or not, asked the Cook, “You are the only one here. Do you think I should speak or not? Tell me frankly, should I deliver my lecture?”

The Cook said to the Management Guru: “Respected Sir, I am a simple man and do not understand these things.  But, if I came into the Dining Hall and saw only one man sitting there, I would certainly give him food.”

The Management Guru took the Cook’s insightful answer to heart and with full gusto began to deliver his lecture.

He spoke passionately for over two hours delving in great detail on each and every aspect of the theory and practice of Motivation.

Immensely proud after his virtuoso performance, the Management Guru felt highly elated, on top of the world, and wanted his audience to confirm how fantastically illuminating and effective his lecture had been.

So the Management Guru pompously asked the Cook, “How did you like my lecture?” 

The Cook answered, “Respected Sir, I told you already that I am a simple man and do not understand these things very well.  However, if I came into the dining hall and found only one man sitting there, I would feed him, but I wouldn’t give him the entire food I had prepared in the kitchen.”

Well, this simple cook's wisdom is applicable in the context of "FOOD FOR THOUGHT" too, isn't it...? 

So, Dear Reader, the next time you speak, or conduct a training programme, remember this story...

 

And here are some tips on the four aspects of a good lecture:

 

 

THE FOUR ASPECTS OF A GOOD LECTURE

The lecture is still the most frequently used method of instruction. Even if you are not a teacher, in your everyday work you may be constantly using the medium of speech to convey a message or instruction or for informal training or motivational purposes. How well you put across your ideas depends to a large extent on now well you have mastered the elements of good public speaking.

An important pre-requisite of a good lecture is that it must be carefully prepared to the extent that you have a firm mastery of the topic you are going to discuss and a clear conception in your mind of how you are going to present the subject.

A good lecture has four simple requirements:

1. MESSAGE

The first characteristic of a good lecture is that it must have a message. The lecturer must have something to say and what the lecturer says must be worth saying and worth listening to. You must clearly bring out the importance of the topic and why the audience needs to hear you and unambiguously state your message so that the audience understands what you want to say.

 

You may have heard Aristotle’s dictum on rhetoric:

 

"Tell them what you are going to say, say it, and then tell them what you told them."

 

So, to get your message across, thus is what you must do:

 

Tell the audience what you are going to tell them

Tell them

Tell them what you have told them.

2. NATURALNESS

The second attribute of a good talk is naturalness. Remember, the audience wants to hear YOU so make it your own lecture, your very own talk – speak in your very own natural style, don’t try to copy someone else.

3. SINCERITY

The third feature of an effective lecture is that it must be sincere. The audience must be convinced that you believe in what you say, so make sure you talk sincerely and clearly demonstrate that you believe in what you are saying. Remember, you cannot fake sincerity so the only way to succeed in giving an impression of sincerity is to be sincere. 

 

And suppose you do not believe in something or are not fully convinced about a topic. Well, why talk about something you do not believe in? As Teacher or speaker you must be true to your conscience and not live a lie and say something you do not believe in. 

Remember the saying of Mahatma Gandhi:

What you think, what you say, and what you do must be in harmony.

This must be evident to the audience.

4. ENTHUSIASM

Finally, last but not the least; a good lecture must radiate enthusiasm. An enthusiastic speaker is one who displays great eagerness to have his or her ideas understood, believed and put into practice. You should be passionate about what you are speaking about. If you want your audience to be enthusiastic about listening to you, radiate enthusiasm yourself while speaking.

So, in a nutshell, before you deliver your next lecture, keep these basic four principles in mind (message, naturalness, sincerity, enthusiasm) and you will deliver a great lecture – you can take my word for it.

All the Best – May you become an effective communicator and deliver excellent lectures.

VIKRAM KARVE 

Copyright © Vikram Karve 2011

Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer. Educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures(2008) and is currently working on his novel. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles in magazines and journals for many years before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for almost 14 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing. Vikram lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts. 

Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com

Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve

Vikram Karve Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve

Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm

Email: vikramkarve@sify.com          

vikramkarve@gmail.com 

Fiction Short Stories Book

COCKTAIL : Short Stories about Relationships By VIKRAM KARVE

http://www.flipkart.com/cocktail-vikram-karve-short-stories-book-8191091844?affid=nme

http://www.indiaplaza.in/cocktail-vikram-karve/books/9788191091847.htm

http://www.apkpublishers.com/books/short-stories/cocktail-by-vikram-karve.html

Foodie Book:  Appetite for a Stroll

http://books.sulekha.com/book/appetite-for-a-stroll/default.htm

http://www.flipkart.com/appetite-stroll-vikram-karve/8190690094-gw23f9mr2o

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

EATING OUT IN MUMBAI - NIHARI - Mouthwatering Memories

Mouthwatering Mumbai Memories
An Affair to Remember
NIHARI
By
VIKRAM KARVE

From my Foodie Archives: Mouthwatering Memories of a delicious meal I had long back in Mumbai - I think I wrote this more than five years ago, sometime in 2005. I wonder whether the place still exists and whether the Nihari is as delicious and wholesome as it was then.

I look in front of me. 

 

I like what I see. 

 

I keep seeing, my eyes locked on to the target, as if by some mysterious, yet astonishing, force of attraction. 

 

Something is happening within me.

 

Senses heighten... stimulated, aroused in a way I have never felt before. 

 

Waves of desire rise within me. 

 

I feel tremors of anticipation. 

 

My mouth salivates and I lick my lips lasciviously in eager expectation. 

 

I feast my eyes hungrily. 

 

My heart beats. 

 

I feel possessed. 

 

Intense passion and lusty craving overwhelms me. 

 

I can’t control myself any longer.   

 

Wild with desire, I move towards my target, ready for the kill.

 

No...! No...! Dear Reader. Just wait a moment. Hold your horses.

 

Don’t let your imagination run wild. 

 

The object of my desire – it is not what you are thinking. 

 

What I am looking at, the object of my attention, the focus of my temptation, is a bowl Nihari – two succulent generous pieces of mutton floating in rich nourishing gravy looking so luxuriant and tempting, that I just can’t wait to devour the dish. 

 

But I control myself.

Good food must be savored delicately; slowly, attentively and respectfully; in a befitting manner, with finesse and technique, with relish and appreciation and you will experience true gustatory delight. That’s the Art of Eating.

It is sacrilege to eat in a ravenous and rapacious manner.

 

The bowl of Nihari, so luxuriously appetizing; a Khameeri Roti, so soft and fluffy. 

 

It looks sumptuous and scrumptious. 

 

I move closer. 

 

The tempting aroma - so enticing, so blissful - permeates within me, energizes my brain cells, and activates my taste buds. 

 

My mouth waters. I am ready to eat.

 

Eating is not a gustatory experience alone... it is visual and olfactory as well. 

 

Food must look good, smell good, taste good and, most importantly, make you feel good. 

 

The Art of Eating... it is Holistic... Multidimensional... Encompassing all domains of your inner being.

 

If you want to do full justice to good food, you must build up an appetite for it – merely being hungry is not enough. 

 

And the first step towards building up an appetite for good food is to think about it – simulated imaginative gustatory visualization to stimulate and prepare yourself for the sumptuous indulgence. 

 

An important thing we were taught at boarding school was to read the menu and prepare for the meal by beginning to imagine eating each and every course, from soup to pudding, in our mind’s eye. 

 

Remember: First plan your “eat” and then eat your “plan”.

 

It’s true. 

 

I eat my food twice. 

 

First I eat in my mind’s eye – imagining, visualizing, “vicariously tasting”, fantasizing, strategizing on how I am going to savor and relish the dish to my utmost pleasure and satisfaction till my mouth waters and I desperately yearn to eat it. 

 

And then I do the honours – I actually go ahead and physically eat the food and enjoy the delightful experience. 

 

Using my right thumb and forefinger, I lovingly pick small piece of meat from the gravy and delicately place it on my tongue. 

 

I close my eyes. Look inside. To focus my conscious energy. To accentuate my awareness. To concentrate. 

 

That’s the cardinal principle of the Art of Eating. 

 

You must always close your eyes during the process of eating. 

 

When you eat, you must eat... nothing else, no seeing, no hearing, no talking. 

 

No multitasking... multitasking ruins the eating experience.

 

Focus, eat mindfully, meditatively, honour your taste buds and you will attain a state of delightful bliss and happiness.

 

The meat is so tender that even a toothless person can eat it. 

 

It’s truly “Melt in the mouth” cuisine – like the famous Galouti Kebabs of Lucknow. 

 

Soft, succulent, juicy.

 

You don’t chew. 

 

You just gently squeeze the meat, softly rolling your tongue against the palate until the meat dissolves releasing its fascinating flavours. 

 

It is sheer bliss... Enlightenment... Gustatory Orgasm... Sensory Resonance... 

 

I do not have words to describe the exhilarating sensation.

 

That’s the hallmark of a genuine nourishing and invigorating Nihari, the best part of the thigh muscle, specially selected prime marrow bones with  generous portions of succulent meat, tenderized and marinated with curds, seasoned lovingly in the choicest of spices and dum-cooked to seal in the juices and flavours, slowly and gently, in a gravy carefully thickened with an assortment of flours of wheat, maize and dals as per the season and taste and garnished with thin strips of ginger and fine slices of fresh green chillies and a sprinkling of coriander.

 

I turn my attention to the Kameeri Roti. 

 

Holding the roti with my left hand I pull out a piece with my right. The texture is perfect – soft and fluffy. 

 

I sample a piece – yummy – it tastes good by itself... and why shouldn’t it taste good...? 

 

Whole-wheat atta kneaded with plenty of curds, seasoned with a bit of sugar and salt, fermented overnight in a moist cloth, flattened and cooked in a tandoor. 

 

Nourishing, luxuriant, ideal accompanyment with the Nihari.

 

I dip a piece of roti in the thick gravy allowing it to soak in and place it on my tongue. 

 

Exquisite. 

 

A gentle bite. 

 

Tangy ginger strips and sharp chilli.

 

A confluence of contrasting tastes. 

 

I absorb the riot of zesty flavours. 

 

It’s exciting, invigorating, perks me up and I am ready for what I am going to do next.

 

And what am I going to do next...? 

 

You knew it, didn’t you...? 

 

I call for a marrow spoon, dig it into the marrow bone, scoop out some marrow and lick it on my tongue. I close my eyes and I can feel the nourishment coming all the way through. 

 

It’s a wonderful feeling. Yes, it's a truly divine feeling.

 

I eat in silence. 

 

Mindfully. 

 

I savour the aroma, delicately place the food on my tongue, chew slowly and experience the variety of flavours as the permeate my taste buds, fully aware and sense the nourishment as the food dissolves and sinks deep within me.

 

The succulent meat. 

 

The sumptuous gravy. 

 

The luxuriant fluffy Kameeri Roti. 

 

It is a feast worthy of the Gods. 

 

Indeed an ambrosial repast...!

 

I am in a supreme state of bliss. 

 

Is this enlightenment...? 

 

Or is it gustatory delight...?  

 

Maybe it’s meditative eating. 

 

Or let’s narrow it down to the art of eating....to be specific... the art of eating a Nihari.

 

It’s simple. 

 

Create a positive eating atmosphere, honour your taste buds, respect your food and eat it in a proper state of mind, with love, zest, awareness and genuine appreciation and it will transport you to a state of bliss and happiness. 

 

That, in a nutshell, is The Art of Eating. Especially, the art of eating a Nihari.

 

 

Epilogue

 

I used to visit two eateries on 1st Marine Street Dhobi Talao near Metro Cinema in Mumbai – Sassanian when in the mood for Parsi food or maybe a Roast Chicken, or to pick up delicious cakes, biscuits and freshly baked delights from their Boulangerie next-door and Punjabi Fish Mart for earthy deep fried fish best enjoyed piping hot by well fortified cast-iron stomachs on cold damp monsoon evenings.

 

Sometime back, maybe in mid 2005, when I used to live near Churchgate in Mumbai, returning one evening from one of my food-walks, I noticed, in between these two of my favourite eateries, a newly opened restaurant - Jaffer Bhai’s Delhi Darbar – with a takeaway section, from where I picked up a menu card and walked home.

 

Later that night I read the menu card and was delighted to find on it my favourite non-vegetarian delicacy – Nihari. I knew it wouldn’t be long before I partook of the dish.

 

And soon I had my tryst with Nihari and experienced this delightful gustatory affair to remember.

It's been a long time since I visited Jaffer Bhai's for a Nihari, so dear reader, if you happen to live nearby in Mumbai, why don't you visit the place and let us know whether the place still exists and the Nihari is as good as it used to be...

 

And, my dear fellow Foodie – Do let me know of a good place where I can enjoy my favourite Nihari in Pune and also tell me about your favourite Nihari... if you've relished one...

Happy Eating. 

 

VIKRAM KARVE 

Copyright © Vikram Karve 2011

Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

An excerpt from my Foodie Book:  Appetite for a Stroll
http://www.flipkart.com/appetite-stroll-vikram-karve/8190690094-gw23f9mr2o

 

About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer. Educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures(2008) and is currently working on his novel. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles in magazines and journals for many years before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for almost 14 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing. Vikram lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts. 

Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com

Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve

Vikram Karve Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve

Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm

Email: vikramkarve@sify.com          

vikramkarve@gmail.com 

Fiction Short Stories Book

COCKTAIL : Short Stories about Relationships By VIKRAM KARVE

http://www.flipkart.com/cocktail-vikram-karve-short-stories-book-8191091844?affid=nme

http://www.indiaplaza.in/cocktail-vikram-karve/books/9788191091847.htm

http://www.apkpublishers.com/books/short-stories/cocktail-by-vikram-karve.html

Foodie Book:  Appetite for a Stroll

http://books.sulekha.com/book/appetite-for-a-stroll/default.htm

http://www.flipkart.com/appetite-stroll-vikram-karve/8190690094-gw23f9mr2o

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