I would have never thought of writing about strolling down the FC Road an year ago. Thanks to Covid-19 and subsequent lockdown, I could not visit any of my favorite restaurants on FC Road. I know all of them are not only open now but also running busy for some months. But, for some reason I was avoiding crowdy places even though the lockdown is lifted (?) Recently, I have started going out at my favorite joints and dine-in places. Anyways.. I never thought I will be forced to work from home surrounded by homely noises and disturbances for months as well!
So, it was Friday. I took a day off from my office to finish some pending banking and postal works. I was supposed to go to a bank branch situated on FC Road. There were no plans of having lunch outside when I left the house. But then when I reached closer to FC Road memories struck me with its rich fragrances. I called up my wife straightaway. Following was the conversation (translated)
Me: Hello, I have reached the bank.
Wife: Ok, so you will be back by lunch time then?
Me: Maybe..
Wife: Should we wait for you to have lunch?
Me: Nope, I am thinking of having food here.
Wife: (Surprised) What! But, you didn’t say anything of this sort in the morning when you left .. blah blah ( ЁЯЩВ )
Me: I know but, think of this. You visit FC Road and don’t have food at all, like eat nothing. How does that sound?
Wife: (Silence)
Me: I will eat what you prepared (beans vegetable which I hate)
Wife: Ok..
Me: I will be back by 2 ok?
Wife: Hm ..
I don’t need to mention “that peculiar silence” on the other side of the call here. But, I think you’ve got my point!
I was done with my work in the bank by noon and had plenty of time and permission from the wife (?) as well. I was a “free man” for at least a couple of hours! So, I started walking southwards (рдЦрд╛рд▓реА as we call it in Marathi) towards Goodluck cafe. Although, I was almost certain which restaurant I wanted to go to, I took a look at all the restaurants and bars on the other side of the FC Road.
The work that PMC has done on the footpath on the side of the college on FC Road (and also on JM Road) is really commendable, I must confess. There are dustbins as well. Honestly, it felt good.
While I was walking down the road I came across one of those square’ish sheds. At first I didn’t think much of it apart from some relief from the sun.
But as soon as I entered it a painting caught my eye. It might be overrating that scribbling to call it a painting though. Graffiti was interesting, raw and abstract at the same time. There was a cryptic yet clear message and signature of the human being who made it. I took out my phone and snapped a photo.
At first I felt a bit embarrassed because being a pakka Punekar, I was taking the snaps on the road with complete enthusiasm like a traveler. The brain paused for a bit. After some moments I realized that, I have become a traveler in my own town. This place has changed almost beyond recognition since my last visit. I felt like a stranger.. in my own Pune! Then came the guilty feeling and then the fun started.
Why not be a traveler than a dweller and look at everything as if you’re looking at it for the first time? I guess this can apply to our lives as well.
Enough of philosophy. In nutshell I decided to walk on the FC Road just like a traveler and have fun! For good 15-20 minutes I was strolling on FC Road, looking everywhere, taking snaps of the graffiti, trying to read names of some of the bars since those are written some odd fonts, looking for their reviews on phone. Like I said just like a traveler! Here are the photos I took till I reached my destination “Roopali”.
This one was physiologically weird..
I kept walking one shed after another. The next one had some of the Maharashtrian culture depicted in the graffiti. First one which I understood easily!
FC Road Graffiti – Pandharpur Wari 
FC Road Graffiti – Vitthal Vitthal
And then a shed dedicated to Performing Arts. Those were nicely created. The painting of Tabla and other instruments on them gave me slight psychedelic feeling ЁЯЩВ
FC Road Graffiti – Kathak Dance 
FC Road Graffiti – Tabla and Other Instruments
And then another shed. It had paintings of historic building. This one looked like government sponsored. Only government can ask for such paintings on the streets.
FC Road Footpath Shed 
FC Road Graffiti – Historic Buildings 
FC Road Footpath Shed
Pardon my French but those A******s who stuck the advertisements on the graffiti ruined half of them. It was such a pity. Just the example to demonstrate how much we protect, preserve and respect our heritage.
I had to take following photo in portrait mode just because there were remnants of some stupid paper advertisement on the other side of the face.
FC Road Graffiti Ruined by Advertisement 
FC Road Graffiti – Beauty with Nath
And then another shed with more graffiti “with meaning and messages”
FC Road Graffiti – Social Network is Killing Brains 
FC Road Graffiti – Friendship 
FC Road Graffiti – Being Punekar!
Wow! Such a wonderful and colorful walk. It was a pleasant surprise indeed! Finally I put down my phone in the pocket, crossed the road near “Vaishali” and walked towards “Roopali”. Vaishali had a waiting list as usual and Roopali didn’t.. as usual. It was more than an year ago since I ate at Roopali.
I ordered my favorite dish, Masala Dosa with Butter
Roopali – A view from Inside 
Rooapli – Masala Dosa with Butter
Of course “Masala” could not fill my stomach. I was looking in the menu for trying something different. In the section of the sandwich I spotted the name “Tomato Omelet Toast Sandwich” I asked some details about it and ordered. This dish did not disappoint me. It was good. Not like mind blowing but definitely worth a try.
Once satisfied, I thought of taking a cab. It was 1:30 already. Because of some unknown reason I thought of walking pass by my school, Laxmanrao Apte Prashala on nearby Apte Road. I did spot a couple of new restaurants in the alley that connects FC Road and Apte Road. Those are on my “To Visit” list now.
Some students were standing outside. New uniform dress colors are odd. I stood in front of the school outside the gate thinking of entering. But, what was my purpose? Will they allow me to enter without any apparent reason? Will I be able to meet my teachers there? Is there anyone amongst my teachers who can recognize me teaching there anymore?
Lots of questions and memories flooded my brain. Right then I spotted Mr. Kad sir, who was our class teacher during 9th and 10th grade. What a relief! I entered the school and by god’s grace he recognized me too. He had a lecture in a couple of minutes but he was kind enough to space those minutes with me. It really felt good.
Then I entered teachers’ room. To my surprise I could recognize almost of them except one or two. My teachers greeted me with warmth and affection. They looked genuinely happy to see me their. A lot of credit goes to me as well since I was one of the best students of my time in the school.
We talked for an hour. All about my time in the school, changing times, my academics (those are good), studying in US, engineering, family etc. Some of the retired teachers have joined the organization trust and are board members. One of teachers at the time Mrs. Porey is now Supervisor in the school. We talked in her cabin for good 15 minutes.
It was lunch time for the teachers and it was not a good idea to intervene in this time. I left the school saying goodbye to my teachers with a promise to visit back. I didn’t feel any weight while taking the steps I took from the building to the main gate. It’s not possible to describe that feeling. Nostalgic perhaps!?
What a fantastic brief stroll back in time after a long time!