The 10-year itch.

It was exactly 10 years ago, that we moved to Hyderabad from Vijayawada. For me Hyderabad was a city that I used to visit during my summer vacations. Though by distance Hyderabad was just 6 hours away, it seemed like it was ahead by 16 years. Having done all my studies there, here I was, to explore life, and a place for my weekly dose of punugulu, mirpakai bajjis, and the you-will-never-forget Babaiah Hotel idlis.

The shift was sea-change, and the difference, huge. Perhaps, the only commonality being the everywhere-present MG Road. A Labbipet there was not even like a distant cousin to Lakdi-ka-pool here. Of course, like Hyderabad had its Birla Mandir on the Naubat Pahad, Vijayawada had the Kanakadurgamma gudi on the Indrakeeladri. From the land of bagunaara, to the land of baitho yaaron, it was a transition I had to get used to. Nevertheless, the thought of leading the rest of my life in Hyderabad was itself invigorating. Though (I must confess) from the inside, Vijayawada was still a manaooru, and that’s something I feel even to this day.

Ten years, countless biryanis and many parsons later, I’m almost a Hyderabadi. Need to tell you that back then, summers were just 38 degrees even at 2 ‘O’ clock in the afternoon. A plate of idli at Anand Bhavan on S.D. Road would cost just Rs.5 (would be almost like a freebie today!). While a typical family outing on a Sunday would be something like shopping at Cherma’s, dinner at the Taj Mahal, and the First Show at Sangeet. Though these places still exist today, what doesn’t exist is the charm to an evening of this kind. All thanks to the bustle that’s characteristic of Hyderabad today.

Life moved on, so did my serious hunt for that haunting ‘Meals Ready’ board, as I would go about scouring through the streets of Ameerpet for ‘Andhra meals’. My efforts did pay off. Slowly, I would come to know of places that would satiate my appetite for a plateful of punugulu, mirch-bajji – absolutely Vijayawada-style. Even today, on my way back from my workplace (located in Banjara Hills), a stop-over at a tiffin centre serving these snacks is a must. Must say I’m instantly transported to Vijayawada, not by a SVR Travels’ overnighter though!

Hyderabad’s progressed, and beyond limits. I agree ‘limits’ sounds a wee bit controversial, but then, that’s what it is. Though Hyderabad is home today, I do miss the next-door mamma garu, the pulihora, and the irresistible aavakai pachchadi. Summing up, in a way, Hyderabad is a home away from home now.

Aithe untanu, malla kaluddam andi!