Chaos and harmony

Dr Fahim Chand | Monday October 30, 2023 06:00

Traffic roars, horns blare, and engines hum, while the city’s rhythm reverberates underfoot. In the impassioned chaos, a surprising order emerges. The throng of humanity and unending machine expertly continue on their kinetic adventures.

The frenzied theatre mysteriously orchestrated by an unseen conductor.

The delightful aroma of street food, sizzling, and bubbling, weaves a tantalizing tapestry, enticing taste buds with promises of unforgettable culinary exploration. Amid this sensory mosaic, the warmth of the sun’s embrace contrasts with the chill of the shadows, a reminder of the day’s passing. Breezes carry hints of sea salt and urban secrets, fluttering through hair and clothing.

In this bustling metropolis, humanity’s sensory receptors work overtime, absorbing the kaleidoscope of life’s stimuli, forging a visceral connection to the urban pulse, where chaos and harmony exist in dynamic equilibrium. Welcome to Mumbai, India - a city that beckons with open arms, promising unforgettable experiences for those with adventurous spirits and open minds. Here, every moment is a treasure waiting to be uncovered.

As night falls, Marine Drive comes alive, its lights a shimmering necklace adorning the dreams of all who stroll along its inviting arc. Young couples find solace along the retaining wall, their gazes fixed on the gentle waves that tenderly embrace the shore. The crescendo of the waves fuelling their dreams, creating a symphony of hopes and possibilities. In the distance, Colaba approaches with its enigmatic charm, a night that shelters billionaires and paupers alike, bridging the chasm between opulence and simplicity. Mumbai, where every story finds a home, and every heart, a place to belong. In this distant realm, a world away from the hushed tones and boundless skies of my African homeland, I find myself navigating the pulsing streets of this sprawling urban domain. Amid the bustling symphony of this city, I surrender willingly to its undeniable allure. As I wholeheartedly embrace the sensory onslaught of sights and sounds, I catch sight of my wife, Shabana, and our young sons, Ayaan and Azeem. They, too, have succumbed to the enchantment of this frenzied theatre of life. The radiant beams on their faces betray no secrets; they are the architects of indelible memories, etching their experiences into the fabric of our family’s journey. In this city of wonder and mystery, we write a new chapter of our collective adventure, each moment a brushstroke, painting a vivid portrait of our shared existence.

Our guides on this mesmerizing journey are not merely friends, they are family. Uncle Paresh, Aunty Chandra, their son Nirav, and daughter-in-law Sejal Mehta are more than just companions; they’re the cherished chapters of our life’s book. Aunty Chandra possesses that extraordinary talent, the kind that compels you to question the very laws of science. While some astonish in their respective domains like Dali and da Vinci in art, Maradona in football, and Hawking in science, this remarkable lady conjures magic from the ordinary in the culinary world.

Her culinary creations defy expectations, transcending mere food to become masterpieces in their own right. On this sublime evening, she led the way, guiding us to a rendezvous with an Indian delight. Our destination was no ordinary ice cream parlor; it was Naturals, a haven of hand-churned ice cream in India. There, under the canopy of a vibrant, magical night, I placed an order for a cone of kesar pista, a fusion of saffron and pistachio flavours. The experience was nothing short of unforgettable, a symphony of flavours that expertly danced on the palate. In my travels, India has consistently unveiled some of the most astonishing culinary experiences I’ve ever encountered. It’s a land brimming with talent and tenacity, a place where people, with their unwavering dedication, craft unique offerings.

Amongst these treasures is the exquisite kulfi ice cream, a gift to the world from this remarkable land. Kulfi, India’s ancient ice cream, harks back to the 16th century and is heralded by food writer Camellia Panjabi as one of the world’s most decadent frozen desserts. Its key ingredient, sweetened evaporated milk, is the secret behind its opulence. Boiling down the milk, a process that caramelises it, transforms it into a sumptuous ice cream, says Panjabi.

To this velvety base, you can introduce saffron threads, crushed pistachios, or almonds for an exquisite twist. While the essence of kulfi remains faithful to these traditional renditions, the last few decades have seen a delightful evolution, Panjabi notes. Beyond the realms of India’s kulfi shops and Mumbai’s Chowpatty Beach stands, and in Indian eateries worldwide, one can encounter an array of flavors: from orange and banana to chocolate, mango, and seasonal berry kulfis.

What sets kulfi apart from other ice creams is its distinctive form. Pre-molded into elongated popsicles or cones, it undergoes freezing before being presented. Described by those like Britton Bauer, who have savored it in the United States, kulfi boasts a profound sweetness, almost akin to the nectar of honey. So live on the edge and take a walk on the wild side. Taste some and you’ll thank me later.