Hyderabad for you…through my eyes.

Much has been written about Hyderabad…by French travellers many hundreds of years ago, more recently by bloggers and many story tellers in between. Articles have been written, books have been written…some instances picked up and turned into movies too.

Take it from a dweller’s point of view…someone who has made it home now. Someone like me, who has adopted this city and in turn it has embraced me with open arms and a warm embrace, not withstanding my caste, religion, my roots or my intentions. It is exactly like the founder of the city, Mohammed Quli, the fifth Qutub Shahi ruler is said to have quoted while laying the foundation stone of his new city away from Golconda fort in 1591 ….

Mera sheahar logan soon mamoor kar
Rakhya joon tun darya mein min Ya Sami

(O God, fill my city with people, as you have the river with fish)

Obviously the prayers have been heard. The city today and from the times bygone is a melting pot of all kinds of people from all kinds of places, those who were born here and those like me who have made it my home now.

It is like all the things that belong here, of warm people, warmer climate and really hot red chillies that this area is famous for.

It is like all the buildings that remain from times immemorial, beautiful, magnificent and still standing strong even after the brutal assault of the mughal king, Aurangazeb in 1678.

It is like the new wave that has taken over the place with development, a totally different world of International style of architecture, of glass and chrome and concrete and technology…sometimes character less in its stark, unornamented appearance.

For me it is a perfect blend of old and new, old hindu and muslim, of culture and technology and all things radically different. All living in harmony yet distinct in their styles. A perfect ‘jugalbandhi’ as it is called in hindi. No wonder then the city is famous for its ‘ganga-jamuna thehzeeb’ (blended way of life).

From the old heritage buildings and the lanes of the old city to the new sparkling modern city with its share of shopping malls, multiplexes, pubs and restaurants….the city caters to all.

For someone visiting this place for the first time, it might be overwhelming, much like the rest of India. Very vibrant, pulsating, colourful…full of people, traffic, and an assault on the senses.

Visually, by the sheer number of people and vehicles, throw in a decent amount of cows, dogs, goats and hens.

The smells of food, incense and carbon mono-oxide will overwhelm the olfactory senses.

The taste buds tingle with the smells of food being cooked wafting in the air any time of the day, depending on what time of the day it is; for each time has a specific menu.

From the “Nihari”, a breakfast had by the muslims that consists of a stew of lamb legs and tongue, a favourite delicacy here which is eaten with a special bread called Sheermal dipped in it. This is to be had very early in the morning, especially had by muslims just before sunrise during the month of Ramadan before starting the fast for the day.

Forward to kebabs and the legendary biryani for the meals, throw in samosas and lukmis for snacks; you could end up eating the entire day. End it with the famous Shahi-tukda or Kubaani ka meetha, traditional sweets to cater to the sweet tooth. Not to forget to end a meal with a Paan, a beetle leaf with stuffing to refresh your breath after the sumptuous food.

And this is only the muslim style of cooking. Get into the detailing of the other localytes, the Andhra and Telegana people and you have a totally different cuisine. Hot, spicy, tangy…from vegetarian to non vegetarian delicacies, crispy snacks to mouth watering sweets.

Hyderabad is a foodie’s paradise.

Not to forget the shoppers paradise too. It is not called the city of pearls for no reason. The best collection of pearls is traded here. From strings to beautiful jewellery to suit any and every budget. Another artefact that the bazaars of Charminar are famous for are the beautiful stone studded lacquer bangles. To add to the beauty of a woman are the famous soorma and ittar (a kind of kohl to darken the eyes and essential oils used as perfume).

Clothes in the trade mark ‘zardosi’ style of embroidery are a feast for the eyes. Embroidered in golden treads using sequins and silver wires, it makes up an intricate design on apparel for men and women alike.

An artisans love is displayed in his wares here…the famous bidri work artefacts, the hand painted cotton fabric called kalamkaari (kalam is pen and kaari is work), silks woven with love and an eye for detail…..all tell a story to anyone willing to listen. The villages around will let you buy from the weavers or better still the art and craft village called the Shilparamam will cater to all needs.

For a nature enthusiast, Hyderabad offers a unique topography. Boulder that are by themselves worthy the heritage tag, water bodies around the place, and when the rain gods bless the area, it turns into a green carpet intercepted with multi coloured flowers. Cycling, trekking, bouldering etc are ideal activities that cam be undertaken, limit is your imagination. For the gentler souls, of course, a picnic under the old huge trees is enough.

It is how you look at the city, how you imbibe its culture and how much you are ready to give back…for it is forever ready to pull you into its magic…you just need to let go of inhibitions and experience the journey…it can take you far yet keep you grounded.

That’s Hyderabad for you…through my eyes.