Few cities in the world have such a progressive hue along with strong historic roots that are an amalgamation of various cultural influences. Either cities are lost in historic old times, or they get carried away in modernity and are heavily influenced by technology. One such city that keeps welcoming new cultures, adding new ideas, and also keeping the amazing roots intact is the ‘City of Pearls’ – Hyderabad!
Whether the suave Irani Chai of the old city streets, the aroma of Osmania biscuits in Karachi Bakery, or the succulent aroma of Zaffrani biryani harking back to the Nizami roots, Hyderabad is all about long heritage and love for food. It is a place where a casual cup of tea is as embracingly accepted as a full course meal featuring biryani and kubani ka meetha for dessert. While the Nizams brought the beauty of their kitchens and amazing food recipes to this city, the Parsis brought along the art of magical baking. You can never meet a Hyderabadi who is not into food! After the 18th century after the British invasion saw the arrival of Anglo Indian food culture. The Anglos also brought their own style of baking to the city with so many old-time bakeries such as St John’s Bakery in Abids flourishing for years. The spirit of Hyderabad is so welcoming that, it has embraced every cultural hue- whether Marwadi cuisine, Gujarati, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and what have you?
The city is also known for its amazingly friendly crowd – ranging from a chatty autowalhah, or a reticent modern Uber driver! Hyderabadis are always ready to help a strangers with something simple like explaining a route, or even repair a broken down vehicle! This sort of warmth is perhaps rare to come by at any other place in the world. It is at once comforting, and at the same time makes the guest feel welcome.
The bustling Numaish that happens at the beginning of the year annually is another most unique feature of Hyderabad. With every state in India putting up the stalls in this exhibition, the delicious serving of Chole Bature along with the piping hot mirchi pakodas on a chilly evening is part of every Hyderabadi’s lifestyle.
The bustling bangle markets of the Old City, along with Sultan Bazar, Abids display one side of the Pearl City. However, with the boom of the IT sector, and rising number of engineering graduates, the newer areas like Hitech City, Kukatpally, Miyapur show another side to the city altogether. Boasting of the world’s largest IMAX screen at Prasads, Hyderabad also shows tremendous love for cinema. Watching a movie at RTC Cross Roads was in vogue through the 80s and 90s, along with the other theatres like Maheshwari/Parameshwari which were seen as the ultimate luxury. The prestigious Sangeet theatre in Secunderabad attracted audiences for its run of Hollywood films every season.
The amazing twin brother of Hyderabad is Secunderabad, the classier side of the region. With most of it occupied by the Cantonment Zone and the Indian Army and Naval officers and their residences, Secunderabad is all about churches that are hundreds of years old. Its heritage buildings give it a unique character. Secunderabad has its own love for food where Chinese, European and Continental influences have all been absorbed. The 80-year-old Chinese Restaurant Nanking, in Park Lane, Secunderabad still bustles with crowds gathering to lap up the delightful spread!
There are a million more things to be done in the amazing twin cities of Hyderabad-Secunderabad for sure, but during the next visit here, don’t forget to relish the binding thread of the duo- the love for food! Both old and new.
Hyderabad is also home to the Indian Photo Festival.
Navya Chittarvu
Navya Chittarvu is an Electronics Engineer by academics but a writer and performing musician by passion. She had her early training in Carnatic Music vocals but her quest for learning about Music further took her to various other forms such as Western and Hindustani as well. A trained Carnatic Classical singer and plays classical guitar. An avid reader of books, she also finds solace in Photography and Traveling and loves to learn more about History and at the same time keeps up with trends of Technology. She aims to find a balance between Arts and Science- two opposite poles which do have something in common. Navya is currently working as a Freelance Writer for various publishing media houses.