30 March,2012 05:58 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Pic Courtesy/ Instagram
Mumbai, a city that Pankaj Udhas takes pride in and salutes wholeheartedly for its resilience for having come out tops inspite of many setbacks. So while ghazal maestro Pankaj Udhas took a stroll along Kala Ghoda, he talks about his album that's dedicated to Mumbai.
Who: Pankaj Udhas
What: Talks about his love for Mumbai
For my fans
What truly inspired me was the concert held at the Central Park, New York, by the popular American music duo Simon and Garfunkel back in the 70s. I thought it was time I did something like that, even if it was on a small scale. Then my daughter Nayaab, said that we should make a DVD of the live concert so that my fans can cherish the feel. I'm not launching this album to make profits. The intention is just to create a memorabilia of my hit songs that people love.
City hangouts
Gateway of India has been my haunt back in college days. My friends and I would sit on the stonewalls bordering the sea and watch young boys jump into the sea during hot summers. Another place I frequented was this coffee shop at Warden Road. I used to stay in the vicinity with my parents and brothers. It was an upbeat area back then. It was called 'scandal point' because a lot of couples would hang around there (chuckles). And the only discotheque in Mumbai was Blow Up at the Taj. Believe it or not, I loved to shake a leg there.
The photogallery here
Also read: Pankaj Udhas: SP Balasubrahmanyam would always showcase his affection
A proud Mumbaikar
I take it personally when someone talks ill of Mumbai. It hurts to see the roads in such a bad condition and dirt everywhere. Yes, almost all the metropolitan cities of the world today are over populated. But what Mumbai really needs are a few open spaces. On Sunday evenings, you see families trying to find a place to relax. They find none and end up at Girgaum Chowpatty or Gateway Of India. We should look into building some sea-facing promenades for the middle class families that form a large part of the city.
