I, the Salt Doll

For 17 years lived in a chawl, Anand Arunoday Co-op. Housing Society, Dombivili (West); 330 sq.ft of cement floor holding five of us; water had mostly to be picked from a tap outside with cackling hassles; it did give a perspective, rather learnt one. But me is no Vandana Mishra and her book I, the Salt Doll. Written in Marathi --- Me Mithaachi Baahuli --- and translated into English by who else but Jerry Pinto, it is the finest longform essay writing on Bombay, Mumbai, with laughs, no grudges; possibly, living in a chawl, speaking Marathi, are musts for an affectionate cakebite of Mumbai; many may disagree; but I, the Salt Doll, is a May delight; took it in bits, tried to think over it, a living in a Girgaon chawl to Borivili as a theatre actress and a houwsewife, a soft note feminism ... Malabar Hill, cricket, English language are nearly absent. 'I end my simple story here. As I take leave of you I feel a little strange. I have accepted, without complaint, my lot in life. I lived as I thought it best. You will no doubt form your own opinion. Try not to judge me too harshly,' Vandana Mishra pleads. Well, Lady, me hugs your book, as much as Marine Drive, Arabian Sea, Tuka, brun maska, vada pav... Ramji Purushottam Chawl, where the Lady lived, led by a gully to Khotachiwadi, in Girgaum. 'This is one of Mumbai's jewels,' she writes. Some crank in Mumbai Municipality decided on renaming the place as he probably did not have anything to do. Vandana Mishra writes: The Christian community, known for its socegado - its fun-loving and peaceable nature -- came out on the streets. They declared that generations had been born and lived in a place called Khotachiwadi and generations to come would die there or they'd know the reason why. They would not let the name, which was how everyone knew the area, be wiped out. The Mahapalika backed down.' Every one had a name; was known as that. Then the Lady lived in Maangalwadi. 'I lived there for twenty years.It was like a little village. Three clinics, two grocers, one goldsmith, a laundry, a flour mill, two milk shops, one coal store, a printing press, a greengrocer, a haircutting saloon, a paan shop and a Muslim graveyard. What more could one want?'  In those times, Bombay had its doors and windows ajar; sea winds blew; when Gandhiji was killed, the RSS held a maidan meeting near the Lady's home. Explains the Lady:  'Kashi came to see us. She threw open the windows and shouted at them. At least today they could call off their meeting. They left quietly. Gandhiji is still blamed for much these days, especially for his role in Partition. I dont know enough to comment. All I know is that when you say terrible things about Gandhiji, his followers do not burn your home, they do not seek to make your whole life not worth living. This is his legacy which is still alive with us today. Try it with any of the other political leaders and see what happens. Their followers wont let you live. Here's another thought: The tree that bears the most fruit has the most stones thrown at it. So it is with Gandhiji.' The Lady is fabulously contemporary. Mumbai, Bombay, today is walled. From chawls to the green village of Borivili. 'In no time at all, Borivili has become Bombay', she mentions with a tear. Friends, please try out the the book. Wish me could meet her and son Ambarish Mishra to chat the Lady and her writing.