Life is easy kya karein

Plaza Cinema at Dadar has been an iconic landmark to the local Mumbaikar. Earlier days when people traveled by bus and trains and so many cars did not exist, Plaza was the middle point of Mumbai. Mumbai map is more or less a straight line and Plaza cinema at Dadar was treated as a mid point. From there you moved to the suburbs. When I used to visit my Masi (my Mother's sister)at Chembur from the hostel, once the bus crossed Plaza, I felt I was almost close to Masi's house. Her house symbolised love, care and warmth for me. Plaza Cinema is at a circle where three roads meet. You can travel between central and western suburbs from this circle. You can also switch from Dadar East to West near Plaza. It connects South Mumbai to the suburbs. The Cinema hall was known for screening Marathi movies. The building has a circular facade with sculptures of men and women dancing in erotic poses. When they painted it a few years back, the sculptures on the walls were painted golden yellow....

There is an old lady who lives in the building next to ours (colloqially referred to as 'baaju ki building'). I am sure the building and the lady has a name but I fail to connect with the name. She is so warm. Talks to the children through the iron gates which are always shut for human beings. This gate opens only for the building cars. So we talk through the iron railings. She gives money to the children to buy them gifts ( 'Khau' is the marathi term when an elder gives you some money as a gift and asks you to buy food of your choice). She is back from the Old Age Home after eight months. She said her daughter in law had gone to Japan and kept her there as an old woman cant go and stay with relatives for long. Our lady was wearing a sky blue Lucknowi saree with a matching blouse. She is  looking very happy and healthy. She said she prefers staying in the Old Age Home as there are people to talk to. At home, there is no one to talk to. The home where she was, she also...