PIZZA

I don’t know why this simple five letter word rings a five thousand bells in my heart, brains and stomach – not necessarily in that order, as when you say five thousand, you can’t keep a track. Pizza is my most favourite food. No really, it is; not just because I am writing a blog post on it. Be it Dominoes, Pizza Hut, some other American Pizza chain or the local Indian thin crust pizza, like Jasu ben pizza in Ahmedabad, I just love them all. Last week was the National Food Day and October is the National Pizza Month, so let’s come together and munch on our favourite pizzas.
                                                                                                                                       

I came across this amazing Boutique Pizzeria, NYC.PIE based in Delhi and Gurgaon. I went through their website and loved the concept of pie pizzas termed by the old school pizza restaurateurs who migrated to America from various regions of Italy in the 1920s. These are authentic New York Pizzas, which are surely going to satiate your taste buds. One should eat noodles like the Chinese, burger like Americans and pizza like Italians. Grab these delectable pizzas which would remind you of the old school Americans who popularized the Italian pizza staying true to its flavour and style.

A glimpse in their menu:

Mr Raj Rao, the creator of this brand has lived in the USA for 30 years. He was shortlisted as #8 out of an original pool of 275 to be the Director of F&B for the White House under the Clinton administration :) He came back to India and headed the F&B division at ‘The Oberois’, New Delhi, where he was instrumental in creating the benchmark restaurant ‘Threesixty Degrees’. He has been a General Manager at ‘Ananda Spa’ in The Himalayas, and has opened two restaurants – ‘Republic of Noodles’ in Goa and ‘Fat Lulu’s’ in Gurgaon. He has also handled F&B structure for Fortis hospital in Gurgaon where he has successfully redefined hospital cuisine.

A little tete-e-tete with the man behind this amazing Boutique Pizzeria:

Why pizza? Pizza is one dish that is loved by people all over the world. Whichever country you go to, they will have their own version of pizza. People from every age group love pizza. What is the USP of NYC.PIE pizzas? Our pizza is made from special dough with our own blend that we prepare exclusively in our kitchen. We have a proprietary sauce that we add to the toppings. The meats like ham and pepperoni for the toppings are imported. The vegetarian pizzas are also made using the finest ingredients. How will you conserve the authenticity of these pizzas? We are never going to introduce Indian version of the pizzas like 'Panner Tikka Masala' and the like. We leave that for the other brands.

Quiz on this one:

If you could be a pizza topping, what topping would you like to be and why?

He… he…  I never ask straight questions as I don’t want straight answers :P So make it tangy, sweet or spicy (not bland please); just like your favourite pizza.

The best answer gets INR 1000/- off from NYC.PIE in Delhi or Gurgaon. Check out the website: http://www.nycpie.in/

This quiz is only for Delhiites, but if you are planning to visit Delhi anytime soon, you can go ahead and participate.

Also, people who want to answer in spite of not being in Delhi can go ahead and participate. If your answer is really interesting, I might post it on the blog though you cannot avail the voucher. 

Send your answers in the comments section below or email me at tvara129@gmail.com

This quiz will close on 28th of October,2015. Please send in your answers before that. 

Meri chunar ud ud jaaye... haay dil mera ghabharay...

Loved this one by Falguni Pathak and still get feeling-excited-jitters whenever I listen to it. This year as I am in Mumbai, I made plans to go see her live as she performs here during Navratri. As I approached the party plot in Ghatkopar, I could hear Ms Pathak crooning to ‘Indhna vinva gai ti more sainya’ - another of my favourites.  I felt so excited, as I just love all her songs. And that voice… I got goose bumps as I approached the party plot with her voice growing louder as I hurried towards the Garba ground. 

         

My hero Falguni Pathak

                                                             

Navratri is without doubt my favourite festival. Growing up in Ahmedabad in the heart of Gujarat, the ‘Malla mata ni aarti’(children make small hills with mud and bricks in their buildings/societies and a goddess called Malla mata and the entire society offers prayers for the nine days of Navratri),  the lights, the colourful chaniya-cholis & kediya, the music, the bands, the songs, the beats, friends and more than anything Garba- my folk dance, make me not only nostalgic, but also emotional; with so many childhood memories associated with this festival, I can’t help but feel overwhelmed. 

When I see Daya going crazy on Garba in ‘Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’, I can relate to it as I know that’s how Gujarati people feel about Garba, more or less. I mean we do Garba even in New Year parties after we are done dancing on Angrezi beats. I miss my friends with whom I have enjoyed the most memorable Navratris – Shaiva, Hemangi, Prachi, Devika, Juhi, Kruti, Suhani, Harsh, Munjal, Vishv, Heet, Vaidik, Manthan and many more.  I MISS YOU ALL AND THOSE NIGHTS SO MUCH. We were a crazy group and all were amazing dancers.

My friends and me

Harsh was our leader and whenever we needed to change the step, he would blow a whistle – a shrill and loud whistle that was loud enough to be heard in spite of the loud music. We all had to look at the master and follow him. Yes, we take our Garba that seriously. We would dance the night away and then would go to Honest for Pav Bhaji or Danny’s for its special cold coffee. Ahmedabad also sees celebs promoting their movies during Navratri due to the festive tempo. I remember seeing Ranbir Kapoor when he had come to promote Rockstar. This year I have heard Salman Khan is going there to promote his upcoming movie. 

Navratri in Mumbai

This year in Mumbai, I was disappointed with the Garba festivities. I could go just one day, and I wasn’t even allowed to dance. Yes, you read it right. We went from group to group asking if we could join but they simply refused. One of them said I could join in but as soon as I did, another group member showed me out of their circle. I asked another uncle wearing a ‘white dhoti and jhabho’ and black thick rimmed glasses if I could join his group. He seemed to be the leader as he was trying hard to make everyone do his step. I thought he would let me in as he really needed some attention which I had to give due to my circumstances. But he said, “Do minute ke baad”(You may join after two minutes) After two minutes I found myself doing a really-bad-uncle-step- which-wasn’t-even-garba, (no wonder he was struggling with his group members to follow him) that I simply decided to go home. In fact, Mumbaikars had tied duppatas(long stoles) around their circles so that no one could enter their Garba circle. These people have changed the shape of Garba altogether – they have made it square with ropes instead of a free circle it is supposed to be. A free circle as you say ‘haalo haalo’ and let everyone join in. Whatever happened to that spirit? Is it just a show off now? Festivals are supposed to be about coming together and celebrating. 

The duppata tied by the people to stop others from entering their Garba circle

I remember when Gujarat and Maharashtra were one state – Mahagujarat, till May 1st 1960. Do these people even know that? Garba is my folk dance, and I felt really bad I wasn’t allowed to dance on that. 

Who is your alter ego? Quiz result: 

Thanks everyone for a truly amazing response. I am overwhelmed enough to write another blog post as I have got some truly stupefying answers which I am going to share here. 

First and foremost, announcing the winner: 

Maaya khudabadi

I work on two aims together in life, for family & friends and another for my country India. The entrepreneur part of me motivates me to work harder for family and the true citizen in me makes me think beyond. I m born in India n feel responsible to work for my country. My alter ego is when I become resourceful to more & more people and make everyone around me achieve their goals.

Congratulations!

I love it as its selfless and makes me proud as she is a true Indian like me. 

I also thank all those who sent their answers right in the comments below. Everybody can read your views, which is a great way to share. 

I want to share three wonderful answers:

Mihir Mehta

Let me put it this way. I feel absent minded or lets just say disconnected at times. I have a tendency to evaporate. That happens more when I indulge into the beauty of the nature. The reason I choose to freeze frames of people, nature or the other subjects because i want to think from their perspectives. I feel lost and Concentrated the most at the same time when I am looking into my Viewfinder. I am glad that I am gifted with an ability to connect to unknowns whether they are people, trees or objects. I lose myself to the thoughts and solitude. My photographs are my reflection. I am the fiction of my own. That is my other half. A trusted friend. My existence lies in my alter ego. :)

Mihir is a photographer and he also shared some pictures with me to explain his alter ego. I have made a little collage of the same. Take a look: 

Check out his page: https://www.facebook.com/mihir2011

Ansh Jaisinghani

A brief conversation happened a few weeks ago with a person sitting diagonally opposite to me, having her blue eyes fixed on me, as if reading the flow of my thoughts.

"So, you think you are creative?" she asks me.

"I can't even imagine that."

"So why do you keep saying it to your friends, that you are creative and you are working on this novel and scripts and all such illusions? Isn't it your ego?" she queried, with the same penetrative stare.


"It would have been, if I hadn't included YOU in my conversations with them." I said, quietly looking back at her.

"What do you mean?" she smiled.

"Well, by all means, you are my alter ego. In your presence, in me, there is no chance for any ego to take over, isn't it?" I muttered in a slightly low voice.

She didn't say anything after that. She just smiled once more and turned into a vapor; gliding and making a low hissing noise, it gathered speed and swooshed back in me, leaving my eyes closed and a smile on my face.

Yeah! That was my alter ego. My own creativity!

Ansh is a writer, check out his website/blog: http://www.anshjaisinghani.com/

Parth Pancholi

My alter ego is dancing.......it gives me happiness but I wont make my career in that. I love to learn new styles and have also performed in many programmes..... so dance is my alter ego...

Lets prepare a dance together and win a competition Parth :) I love dancing too. 

Thanks everyone :) 

Who is your alter ego?

Women love makeup. We all love to deck up in style, don’t we? For some it might be a full one with cleanser, toner, moisturiser, foundation, kohl, eye-liner, lipstick, mascara, etc.; while for some it is only thick kohl or maybe a lip gloss. Minimalist or over-the-top, makeup is a must for (most) women. Looking good comes naturally to us. Makeup might be used to stand out, accentuate ones features, and of course to look beautiful, but have you ever wondered that it can be used to hide ones face too? That it can make you look like a totally different person?

I find this really interesting. I want to be a different person with makeup. I want my face to be painted. I want to express myself with face/body paint. I know someone who is not only great at this art but also beautifies thousands of women the way they want – to stand out or to hide away and expose their alter ego. Yes, alter egos are beautiful too. Aanal Patel is your go-to person if you want to bring out that alter ego.

I know Aanal since childhood as we grew up in the same neighbourhood. I remember her well as she had boy cut hair; now she owns a saloon! She has long hair nowadays and beautifies women at her saloon in Ahmedabad. Orange The Salon is one of its kinds as it also offers face/body paint for portfolios along with the usual services offered at saloons. Aanal is in this field since 14 years. She practised with her mom in the USA for two years and now she has her own saloon since 6 years. Aanal says, “Face/body painting or makeup is an art. It is not just about looking beautiful but also expressing oneself.” True that!

Here are a few faces that she has painted:

Wondering how she did this... I want to get this done too!

                             

Texture on the face

Mysterious bunny

Great makeup with amazing expressions

Want to be a modern bride? 

Horror is imagination

 Love for the wildlife

                                       

She has named it 'Caged by society' - great work!

Aanal is also asked to judge fashion events due to her vast experience in styling and beauty. Though she loves to conceptualize photo shoots and portfolios for which she takes care of styling, designing, makeup and hairstyle, her forte is makeup. 

That's the woman with the magic makeup kit

She takes bridal makeup and styling orders too; to see those pictures please have a look at her Instagram profie: https://instagram.com/aanalsavaliya/

Introducing a new quiz related to the blog...

Quiz question:

Who is your alter ego and why?

So that's your question. Please send your answers in the comments below or you can even email me at tvara129@gmail.com

It is valid only in Ahmedabad.

Please send your answers by Monday, i.e. 12^th of October, 2015.

The best answer would be published on this blog post and also on my social media pages.

The best answer would also get a voucher from Orange The Salon. You will get INR 1000/- off on any service at the saloon.

P.S. Orange The Salon is a women’s saloon, but men are welcome to send their answers too. You can (will have to) gift it to your wives or girlfriends or sisters or mothers :P

The daily death drive 

The other day I was listening to the radio. I loved listening to it when there used to be less RJ's and more songs. Nevertheless, these interactive formats on radios allow you to know about the new happenings. There is this new author called Hywel Pinto who was being interviewed on the radio for his upcoming book 'Ice Bound'. He was asked about the traffic in Mumbai and he said something which I can relate to. He said the traffic in Mumbai might be tiresome at times, but it gives a buffer time to writers and the travelling time could help them get some inspiration as they would think that time, having nothing else to do. 

I take an auto to work every day. If you have ever travelled by an auto in Mumbai, you would definitely be able to relate to me if I say that the autowallahs fly and not drive their autos. I have been thinking about my blog posts while travelling and thought about writing this one too in one of these autos. I was waiting for an auto for a long time after leaving from work. These autowallahs show a lot of attitude and say no to you in the most annoying way if they feel that your destination is not on their way. According to the laws, they are supposed to take you wherever you want, which I don’t think they even know. After a lot of cocky "no's", one of them agreed to drive me home. 

As soon as I sat, he asked me something which was not only unintelligible but also difficult to listen to as the radio was playing really loudly in the auto. This guy was bald except for a tiny ponytail in the middle of his head. Priests keep such hairdos in India mostly, but he didn't look like one. There are many other reasons a man might go bald, but I am not getting into that. So instead of trying to decipher what he was saying, I simply said, "Mujhe Marathi nahi aati"(I dont understand/speak Marathi). He gave me a crooked smile and said, "Par maine toh Hindi main bola"(I said in Hindi). I asked him defeatedly, "Kya bol rahe ho? Please dheere dheere bolo"(Please speak slowly) He asked me if I wanted to go from the Irla bridge. I was so tired straining to hear him due to the noise on the roads and his loud speaker that I simply nodded.

He started the auto. In less than a minute I was trying hard not to be flung outside of the auto as he was taking sharp turns and driving like a maniac. I was relieved that at least he wasn't talking to me, when he asked me, "Aap yahan ke nahi ho na?"(You are not from Mumbai, are you?) I replied an affirmative. He again asked, "Kahan se ho aap?" (Where are you from?) I replied, "Gujarat". He smirked like a fool and went back to his bozo driving. 

We came at the crossroads and he halted till the light turns green. The heavy traffic in this city makes you observant. I see a guy on a bike in front of me. He gets up from the seat of the bike and stretches his body/bum. I laugh. The auto guy looks at me from the rear-view and smirks thinking I am crazy. I stop laughing. The lights turn green; I am going back to the tense I was using. (just felt like writing in present continuous)

So he started the auto with a big jerk. He accelerated like crazy and as I had expected had to break with a jerk again. I was thrown in front and then he had steered right, so I kind of fell out of the auto, but I caught hold of the back seat rod. He saw what happened for a second and then when it registered in his mind he started laughing. I was mad angry and had also hurt myself a little on the elbow, still I couldn’t help but laugh myself. The autowallah asked me if I was hurt once he had his laugh. I told him seriously that he should have been more careful and if he wants to drive like that he needs to get seatbelts in his auto. He replied, “Chalega madam, wese bhi yeah bheed main aap girte toh bhi kahan?” (Let it be, as anyway you wouldn’t fall out as there is no space due to the traffic jam)

I didn’t say anything as I really hated this annoying autowallah who clearly was also arrogant, careless and creepy. But I thought to myself that these guys are so bored with Mumbai traffic, which is my buffer time to think useless/interesting things, that they don’t care about meeting with accidents or even hurting someone badly. Maybe they are so frustrated that they might just die while driving their autos rather than manoeuvring through the Mumbai traffic every day. I understand this as I like to get into peoples shoes and think like them, but what about the passengers like me?