Fruitful morning

Walking or, as I prefer to think, loitering through the streets and lanes of India is a captivating experience. It offers a glimpse of the rich tapestry that makes up the diverse threads of Indian life. And in a bustling metropolis like Mumbai, each area has its own unique character, whether ethnic or architectural, or along social or economic lines. Just the ebb and flow of daily life provides fascinating and ever-changing vignettes that engage the senses, especially visually.

Last month, I found myself in Kalbadevi, an area of Mumbai with many heritage buildings, but also where the modern Metro will be operating within the next couple of years. One can well imagine the contrast and seemingly contradictory views such an amalgam provides.

Having spent a couple of hours, since around 6.30 am, walking through the gallis and chawls, I decided to head for the main road and find a cab to take me home. Which is where I came across this deliciously colourful, fruit-laden cart parked, hopefully temporarily, in the middle of a major thoroughfare.

I had just seen an elderly Parsi lady wave to the vendor, and he graciously stopped. Of course, the purchase had to be preceded by a careful inspection, enquiry, shock at how expensive the fruits were and then the intense, but good-natured, haggling. All this, as you can imagine, took a good 10 minutes and in the meantime, people and vehicles just walked or drove around them, without a fuss or complaint, as if they were a fixed feature on the road.