19 Comments
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Rakhi Kurup's avatar

Lovely piece Ayush. So much history around us, we have barely scratched the surface I guess.

Ayush's avatar

Thank you Rakhi!

Binu Sivan's avatar

Such a delightful read! Next time I am in Bangalore, would love to explore Chikkujala with you, if you have not already.

Ayush's avatar

Thank you Binu! And what a wonderful idea! Please let me know when you're in the city next. Would love to catch up and explore!

Binu Sivan's avatar

Will do for sure. And of now, second half of December. 🙂

Rohan Banerjee's avatar

Great read, Ayush. His exile is a tragic story, but it also gave us the Calcutta Biriyani. :)

Also, that portrait of the Nawab never fails to impress me. What swag!

Ayush's avatar

Thank you Rohan! And absolutely, I mean id never dream of pulling it off haha

N J Krishnan's avatar

Fascinating

Ayush's avatar

Thank you!

Not The Wife Material's avatar

lovely piece Ayush!

Ayush's avatar

Thank you, Savvy!

Dhruv Sehgal's avatar

What a terrific piece! Really enjoyed reading it.

Ayush's avatar

Thanks so much, Dhruv! Means a lot. Really glad you liked it :)

Prerna's avatar

You and Ila make me homesick… and I thank you for that. Another wonderful piece, Ayush. Thank you for reminding us of our history and preserving it for all, including those who’d rather not remember.

Ayush's avatar

Thanks so much Prerna 🤗

Manisha Gupta's avatar

This is such a fragrant essay on a city within a city. I grew up in Kolkata. Metiabruz was always a distant place in the city. Or a place for active NGO interventions. I will go back to this inner city, the next time I am in Kolkata

Ayush's avatar

Thank you Manisha! Glad you liked it :)

Is this anything?'s avatar

I wish for a life where I can just read stuff like your susbtack, Ayush. It has been so difficult and so anxiety-inducing not to be able to catch up. This was so good..I hope you could make a voice note of the person's voice who read the inscriptions in lucknowi/Lucknowwa (I won't say - Lakhnavi) urdu...Mera Lucknow...hamesha sabse khoobsurat. Thank you, A.

Mesbah's avatar

This reminds me of my internship days when I wandered around the streets of Metiabruz. I am from Bengal and I get why you call this place a city within a city. I realised it too while shopkeepers responded to my Hindi in chaste Urdu. I also remember Wajid Ali’s portraits in a couple of shops where I had lunch or tea. At that time, I didn’t know who he was. I didn’t bother to ask either. Now I know.