On India’s 64th Independence Day on Monday I woke to a text message from Old Delhi friend Amit: “Rain has played spoil sport”. I looked out to see the Monsoon rains sheeting down and felt his pain.
Normally rain is met with joy and relief in North India. In Old Delhi, though, Independence Day is celebrated by flying paper kites, a symbol of freedom – rain means the festivities will be a wash out. (There’s a nice piece here on the tradition of kite flying in Old Delhi, with pictures by my friend Simon de Trey White.
I was particularly disappointed because this was the first time I’d been invited to take part in not one, but two kite flying parties in Old Delhi.
Happily, by noon the rains had petered out and I headed off. The first stop was the beautiful haveli owned by Dhruv and Richa Gupta in Sitaram Bazaar.
Open House at Masterji kee Haveli
I’ve just recently come across the Guptas, a lovely couple who have decided to open up their family home to visitors. Dhruv, born and brought up in ‘Master-ji Kee Haveli’, is on a mission to show people a slice of real life in the old city. He takes groups on guided walks around his neighbourhood, sampling street food and giving an insider’s view of life in a traditional Hindu community. Guests can also spend time at his home – one of Old Delhi’s last single family-inhabited havelis – and even stay for a meal.
On Monday I arrived in time for some monsoon favourites: pakoras, fried potatoes, dhokla and spicy chai, all made by Richa – perfect food for grey skies and watching the rain pattering down in the haveli’s courtyard.
After our snack, we went up onto the roof of the haveli and Dhruv showed us how to fly our kites and bring down other people’s. It seemed like the whole of Old Delhi was on the roof.
The glowering skies and Jama Masjid in the distance were a dramatic backdrop to the multi coloured kites - I could happily have whiled away the whole afternoon there.
But over in Sadaar Bazaar another rooftop, belonging to Amit Arora, was waiting. We weren’t allowed on the roof, though, until we’d all sat down to a slap-up meal on his mum’s bed and flicked through the family photo album. Amit’s a member of the legendary Ashok and Ashok family and knows a thing or two about slap up meals, so we were happy to delay the kite flying.
We ate quickly, though, and headed upstairs. This time there was a completely different view of a kite-dappled Jama Masjid (Red Fort too if my camera skills were a bit better!)
Amit made the whole thing look easy peasy, while posing like a Bollywood star
I, however, just managed to look anxious and inept.
All in all, a great day – an insight into one of Old Delhi’s oldest traditions, a glimpse of life in one of its beautiful havelis and a meal with the family behind one of its most celebrated dishes. I love my life – Happy Independence Day!
Beautiful. xjk
very well written ! love the images too
pakoras are perfect for the rains ! the food spread looks so delicious
Hey Pamela, You were really quick to pickup the technique of Flying Kite. We really enjoyed your visit. Please do come again .. regards Dhruv
THANKS PAMELA APPRECIATED FOR UR TIME , IT WAS LOVELY 2 AND A HOUR HOURS WITH U AND UR HUSBAND , AND THANKS FOR SUCH LOVELY WORDS
hi, i really appreciate this blogsite.. i know india is an old country with more than old buildings, but they have rich culture, great food, and behind those old structures are wonderful and fantastic stories.. i would love to visit there somehow
Very well written.. I wonder sometimes writing is such an essential part in our life.. After reading this i feel so attached to delhi and india sitting here in canada… good work pamela.. i am a web designer by profession and have created several sites including blogs but have hardly found any reason to start my own blog.. and now i guess i should…. and about amit (my brother).. he has a very kind heart and is a gem of a person… have a nice day all of you….
i had read masterji kee haveli, family and the tour. That’s awesome!! I would really like to try this one. it’s wonderful for them to invest in tourism. People should support to protect the heritage, culture and traditions to others especially the future generations otherwise we will be living in a world where nature can only be appreciated in pictures, cultures and traditions could only be experience in films. People should really learn and support these kind of ventures and causes for the best of their country, not in some mining, or other industries that could ruined the natural beauty of it..
What a special day ! Mine was graced by the presence of a wee snake by my desk which I can only interpret as bountiful good luck.
Loved the meal served on mums bed. x m
Marina – snakes terribly auspicious. btw have gone Greek food mad since hols – may have to raid your recipe book xx
Lalove – Masterji is an initiative well worth supporting – a peak into real life in Old Delhi without commercialising and destroying the community
Thanks Chitresh
Thanks to you and your mum Amit – look forward to seeing you all again soon
Thanks Dhruv for a wonderful day. I hope Masterji will be wildly successful
Jackie, spoonfulofyumm – we had such a great day
Hello Pamela,
Very nice article… I just loved it. I have left India many decades ago and I miss the Old City and delicious food, culture and Havelis.. We also had one Haveli and with time it was divided in family and finally sold out. I am happy that there are still few people who value these Old Havelis and make effort in maintianing the original structure.
Charm of walking on those streets and trying delicious traditional food at every corner, flying kites, temples, cows, people, culture, atmosphere.. it is always like a festival and celebration all the time in that area… thank you for taking me back to my old days.. I would like to see more through your eyes and cherish it. thank you again…Hary- LA
hey miss pamela
i figure out that you enjoyed yourself thoroughly at master jee ki havel, we did as well . we are a group of three friends(including master ji’s great grand daughter) who were also shown around this rare beauty with vigour and that was a very memorable trip. and the rooftop is the best part even though we missed out on the kite flying adventure, i miss it…………
I love this post of yours. You make me miss Delhi way more than I imagined. I admire you for opening your heart out to my country and embracing it as it is – the good, the bad and even the ugly.
Better still come on over and we can do things x
May have to wait until I get back from Uk after dropping Ant off at boarding school but will contact you when I am back x m
Loved this post and sharing your day.