An outsider’s view on Mumbai

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Few weeks back, Amitabh Bacchan wrote a special article in an esteemed daily that chronicled Big B’s experience of making it big in Mumbai after initial struggle. He was also an outsider in Mumbai and his view on Mumbai reflects that of a very famous outsider.

Let me share my views-the views of an unknown outsider. To me, Mumbai is the New York of India. It is the most cosmopolitan city in this country, which does not ask your caste or creed; rather it asks for your talent, determination and hard work. It is the city of opportunities; you can make a living without any snide remarks from your neighbor if you know how to work hard. Every profession is respected here and if you know tricks of the trade, then sky is the limit. Due to the endless job opportunities, it is jokingly said ‘Hum do hamara do, teesra hua to Mumbai bhej do’.

The skyscrapers of marine drive are nothing short of Manhattan skyline. Coming from Calcutta, the cultural capital of India, I had a highbrow attitude toward culture. I thought Mumbai would be a departure from my Pablo Neruda-craving, Satyajit Ray-loving intellectual style. Rather, I found it even better. The NCPA, Prithvi theatre, Kala Ghoda festival bowled me over. Best of meaningful theatres and movies, both national and international are showcased in Mumbai. Jehangir art gallery is a place where painters would vie for an exhibition. And where else would you find a National Symphony Orchestra and Mehli Mehta foundation playing the western classical music to the discerning masses?

 Due to its inclusive nature, Mumbai is for all. Today, in this globalized world, you cannot keep one outside. Who knows where the next big idea is coming from? And who other than the Mumbaikars know it better that in Mumbai transcending all religions and ideologies only one deity is worshipped-the deity of wealth. And where is the leisure time in this city running at breakneck speed to pause and think who is an outsider and who is not? The city is always on the run; the local train bogeys seem to me a big escalator, which churns out thousands in every station endlessly. Where is the time to stop and think? I have not seen a single day of strike (Bandh, as we call it in Kolkata, which is a regular phenomenon there) after coming here. Hats off to Mumbai.

Note: This article written by me was first published in Times of India, Mumbai edition, on 31st May 2008.