The Most Famous Irani Chaiwala And The Beggar Poet of Mumbai, a photo by firoze shakir photographerno1 on Flickr.
Shot by my wife..
Shah Ast Hussain Badshah Ast Hussain
Dr Mansoor Showghi needs no Introduction Iranian ancestry but Dil Hai Hindustani ..well known in Mumbai Pune Hyderabad wherever the Iranis have made home .. he has researched on the Irani diaspora , the migrants and the settlers from Iran who have made Mera Bharat Mahan with their selfless service and contributing to our humility with their love arts crafts architecture and last but not the least the Irani Chai.
Dr Mansoor is very active on Facebook Twitter and he had come to interview me at my house ..I have been very close to the Iranis since a kid staying at Wodehouse Road Khatau Bhuvan now infamously called Jony Castle ,, once the home of the Father of Indian Rock Keith Kanga of Atomic Forest.. we were childhood friends Keith and me.
And the most famous tiny Irani joint first with a Irani manager and than later with along line of Malbari managers belonged to Mohomed Reza of Sarvi fame.
So my chai and bun maska story began here we moved to Breach Candy and finally to Strand Cinema 3 Mohini Mansions bang next to Mohomed Rezas Strand Coffee House ... and the chai bun maska followed usalong.
But the real Irani kava its mystical bounty was experienced sitting at Imamwada next to Moghul Masjid Iranian Mosque sipping the black beauty , and listening to the Majlis of Maulana Athar Saab during Moharam Ashura.
Over 55 years both the majlis and the black Irani chai growing strong as ever.
So I digress cutting short bographical footnotes this story is about Dr Mansoor Famous Mashoor Chashme Badoor age peeche Hoor Hi Hoor ..dil hai ashna chakna choor .. faint sounds of lyricless santoor .. jitna pas utna door .. khushiyan zyda aur bharpur ..charon tarf hussain hussain humility humanity ..tal aur soor ..adab tehzeeb sadgi khuloos .. no ghuroor ..
My wife too has Iranian ancestry from her fathers side ..
