Last month, i spent a Friday night walking the streets of Madanpura with Farooque Ansari. Well past midnight, we eventually had a company of a crowd. Five people-about-to-turn-into-acquaintances, excluding us two. I don’t remember the last time — other than this instance — when i didn’t catch a wink at night. Although i reached home in the morning much after sunrise, i’m mighty glad i went out and experienced a bit of life on the other side. A side that is seldom visited. A side that is often scorned without giving it a benefit of doubt. A side that is so politically aware of what’s going on that it will make you regroup your biases. A side that is accused of making all the wrong noises in the name of religion. A side that is beautiful in its language and adherence to its roots. A side that looks into your eyes while speaking to you. A side that calls a spade a spade without worrying about the consequences. A side that seems banished to the ghettos but is teeming with a spirit unbeknownst to the high-rises. There are so many sides to this side that a night is clearly not enough. I went to meet the aforementioned folk because i’ve been hearing about them from Farooqbhai for quite some time. They turned out exactly like i thought. And to make the event unforgettable, my friend and mentor wrote a lovely column mentioning me in one of India’s oldest surviving Urdu newspapers and the most read in India!
A midnight tryst
A midnight tryst
A midnight tryst
Last month, i spent a Friday night walking the streets of Madanpura with Farooque Ansari. Well past midnight, we eventually had a company of a crowd. Five people-about-to-turn-into-acquaintances, excluding us two. I don’t remember the last time — other than this instance — when i didn’t catch a wink at night. Although i reached home in the morning much after sunrise, i’m mighty glad i went out and experienced a bit of life on the other side. A side that is seldom visited. A side that is often scorned without giving it a benefit of doubt. A side that is so politically aware of what’s going on that it will make you regroup your biases. A side that is accused of making all the wrong noises in the name of religion. A side that is beautiful in its language and adherence to its roots. A side that looks into your eyes while speaking to you. A side that calls a spade a spade without worrying about the consequences. A side that seems banished to the ghettos but is teeming with a spirit unbeknownst to the high-rises. There are so many sides to this side that a night is clearly not enough. I went to meet the aforementioned folk because i’ve been hearing about them from Farooqbhai for quite some time. They turned out exactly like i thought. And to make the event unforgettable, my friend and mentor wrote a lovely column mentioning me in one of India’s oldest surviving Urdu newspapers and the most read in India!