Retrieved via the Wayback Machine. Originally posted by Harini Calamur

Kala Ghoda is a foodies delight. The food stalls probably equalled the art stalls - and definitely gathered more crowds. When one of the hoardings for the festival used this motif - i don’t think that they realised how much food was going to be an integral part of the show.

And people enjoyed the variety. A number of restraunts in the area - Chetnas and Bombay Blues - put out outdoor stalls to attract a fairly ravenous crowd. A friend of mine, who lives in the area, said that he hadn’t seen so many people try out so much food in such a short period of time. It was great stuff. And the cleanliness the area was so great, as was the absence of a million odd flies - that even people who otherwise wouldn’t risk street food gravitated towards it.

Mouth watering kulfi - rasberry was a particular favourite. I was unadventurous and stuck to malai. which was a generous portion. Almost a complete meal in itself.

The chaat stalls saw rapid business too. Crowds thronged to sample the paani puri, sev and bhel puri.

And of course no street festival can be complete without a beverages sponsor. And for this one it was Pepsi. There was pepsi everywhere. This particular graphic, i found particularly amusing.

The dosa and Chaat menu under a pepsi logo is a true sign of global brands becoming part of the Indian culturescape. That and MacD’s presence. Afterall culture is not static, fossilized in time. In today’s day and age - they are as much part of our culture as anything else is. And it is nice to see organisers who are sensible about these things.