Girgaum

It’s been quite a day. First stop Ambewadi Chawl. A narrow lane with small houses packed cheek by jowl on both sides festooned with all the detritus that punctuates daily life. Washing hanging underneath and over balconies adding a pop of colour. Plants too.

A Chawl is similar to a tenement - compact with communal toilet facilities. Each Chawl has a water tank and every morning someone needs to switch on the pump for the daily allocation of water. It’s a bustling community where everyone looks after each other. Rent is nominal which means repairs are down to the tenants. We had a wonderful morning sketching, largely ignored by the residents who continued their daily routine. Although there was smiling and waving and wallahs hawking their goods selling chai and coconuts.

Interesting evening at the Mumbai Opera House. Went to see a performance by world renowned tabla player Zakir Hussain and sitar player Niladri Kumar. An interesting mix of classic and jazz.Read more