Want to try authentic Mangalorean seafood at Mangalore?

I always want to try the local cuisines while I travel. But I never thought of finding an authentic Mangalorean cuisine restaurants in Mangalore while I was staying here. Long after I shifted to Bangalore, I found this small hotel, which was very famous by the time I could make a visit. That’s Hotel Narayana in Bunder, which is very close to Dakke (Fishing Dock of Mangalore).

One more reason for not trying out this place was, we usually have home cooked food and when we go out for lunch/dinner we always preferred chicken or fine dine restaurants. But all this while I did not have an idea what I had missed.

So here comes my 2 recommendations for authentic Mangalorean food, when it comes to Mangalore its Seafood. One is Hotel Narayana at Bunder and the second one is Giri Manja’s near Car street. (I have provided the details in the next post)

First recommendation:

Hotel Narayana

Address:

Near Kalikamba Temple, 
Gopalkrishna Temple Road, 
Bunder, 
Bhavathi,

Mangaluru - 575001

Karnataka

Timings: 12:30 – 3:30 and 07:00 – 09:30

Average Waiting Time: 20 to 30 Minutes

Cost for 2: 500 (depends on what kind of fish you opt)

Specialty: Sea food
Directions: Google lists this restaurant 'Hotel Narayana, Mangalore'

My mouth started watering while I’m filling in the above details. This is not a fancy or fine dining place. It’s a mess kind of place but the food served here will beat the quality and taste of a five star hotel. Always try to be there by 12:30 in the afternoon or be prepared to wait for at least 20 to 30 minutes and to share your table with others. I have always been here for lunch and believed this place was closed for dinner but the google listing displays the timing 12:30 – 3:30 and 07:00 – 09:30

What to order:

This hotel comes which a template of meals which includes Boiled or White rice, fish gravy (mostly sardine curry), pickle, one vegetable sabji or curry. Once the waiter gets the thali, he will come with a thali filled with variety of fish fries and you chose whatever fish you would like to have. Pricing and variety of fishes depends on the season. Don’t forget to try the special powder which is the fried remains of fish fry. Yummy..! Also, the special butter milk.

The quality and taste of the cuisine is no doubt. No one can replicate the taste of the fishes at Narayana. Yummy, mouthwatering. This place is a must try when you are in Mangalore.

August 15^th is a holiday at Hotel Narayana. I remember driving all the way to Hotel Narayana during Independence Day to find the restaurant closed. Imagine our hungry stomach craving for the fish fries of Narayana. :)

Sadly, I do not have any photographs of this place or the cuisine as I was always into hogging whenever I was at this place.

Flowers, flowers, and FLOweRS

I wonder how many varieties of flowers we have in this universe. Unlike animal or human species, flowers are the beautiful creations of nature. Today while I was going through some of my archives and found these flowers, so many, colorful flowers. They made my day today. 

Enjoy the freshness of flowers and have a cheerful day!

These pictures are from the garden of Pallavi (Thotadahalli Homestay). Blessed is their home to have such a beautiful garden. There were so many, so I created a collage with all the flowers. :)

Some closeups:

 

P.S: Image is copyright protected to Prashant Bhandare. Anyone who wants to publish or use these images for any purpose, please contact the concerned for permission.

Azulejo Art and the man behind reviving this art in Goa

Thank you for this artwork and a very happy birthday to you!

What is Azulejo art? I too did not know about this art until I visited Goa a few years ago. While roaming around North Goa, I found most of the houses with creative name plates. When I was back home, I started researching about the name plates which I had seen in Goa and got to know about this particular art and the art form is called Azulejo art, and the roots are from Portugal.

Azulejo is a form of Spanish and Portuguese painted tin-glazed ceramic tile-work. Azulejos are found on the interior and exterior of churches, palaces, ordinary houses, schools, and nowadays, restaurants, bars and even railways or subway stations. They were not only used as an ornamental art form, but also had a specific functional capacity like temperature control in homes. (Taken from wiki)

To know more, refer: http://www.ghrssidc.org/handicrafts/handicrafts-facility/azulejos-tile-painting

I began getting into this art form and about the artists who work on this genre and I could see very few artists in Goa are into this art. Among them, I found Shankar Turi’s art work seemed very impressive and I called and emailed Shankar Turi. Shankar is one of the artist who went to specialize in Azulejo art in Lisbon Portugal in the year 2002. Until then, Azulejo art was extinct in Goa after the Portugal’s left back. Once back, he started his own business with this genre of art. 

I spoke to Shankar and I did not get any positive commitment about my request. For a while, I forgot about it and thought will think about it when we go to Goa next time.

One monsoon, we visited Goa and while roaming around Panjim, we saw Marcou Artifacts shop. We shopped for Mario Miranda’s artifacts. And my eyes fell on the Azulejo nameplates, though this style was not the one which I was looking for. On talking to the sales representative there, she said they had their workshop in Corlim Industrial Estate-Old Goa, we can check for the varieties there and custom make the name plate. We went to Corlim, found the Marcou Artifacts workshop, and looked for all the art work they were preparing, spoke to the person who does the Azulejo art, still not convinced. We were disappointed and while heading back, again Shankar Turi came into my mind.

We asked for the route to Bicholim, from old Goa, we took 2 ferry’s and mountainous roads to reach Bicholim. The roads were lonely and in between few villages and it was a memorable drive. We reached Bicholim but how to search for Turi's workshop? Internet was hardly working. I tried searching my phone if I had saved Shankar Turi’s number. Luckily, I had saved and immediately called Shankar. He picked and guided the route to his workshop.

Now this was Shankar Turi. A real artist, the calls, or emails did not matter. When we spoke to him and told about our requirement, he agreed to make our name plate. He said it would take minimum 2 weeks’ time to prepare as lot of artwork and luck is involved in glazing the tiles in the furnace. The painted tiles can crack due to the heat, which will be again redone.

That was done, we had 3 days in Goa, and then we would return back. After 2 days, we again made a visit to Turi’s workshop at Bicholim and we were in a surprise to see that he was almost done with our work. Only baking the tiles in the furnace was awaiting. And I was so impressed with the design and work, this was what I wanted and only a true artist can do that. On the other hand, Shankar was very excited with the pattern we chose and he was eager to complete the design. Art mostly depends on the mood of the artist and we were lucky we were able to meet Shankar and get the great piece of work from him.

It was commendable, the way he tried to send the courier of the completed name plate. Sending through any of the courier's it was a little risky and he could convince one of his cousins travelling to Pune to hand over the parcel to us.  

#FlipkartImageSearch Experience

My #FlipkartImageSearch experience

I rarely give up my Saturday morning sleep. But this Saturday there was the IndiBlogger meet and these meets are always packed with Knowledge, Fun, Entertainment, and Food and this time it's FLIPKART. Since I got the invite after much awaiting for the invitation, I made it a point to be there on time, moreover, the event was scheduled at the happening place "HardRock Cafe".

The event started with the performance by the IndiBlogger team. You guys rocked the stage. Kudos and you guys are always the best.

Now comes the most important part of the event. The Product Head Puneet from Flipkart gives us a brief on how he started with Flipkart and blah-blah. Liked this guys approach in what he is today at Flipkart. He went on to explain Flipkart shopping and Image Search feature and how it'll be useful to each and every Indian, which includes our Rural India. Flipkart aims to make our shopping experience simple so no matter what phone we use, we should be able to shop with ease. 

Will that happen? That's a big question with our Service Provide Network ups and downs, it's really hard. But Flipkart claims 95% of their business comes through Mobile shopping. Maybe, people like me add the products to cart from the laptop and then go to the Mobile App and complete the shopping. 

We were given a demo on the Flipkart image search feature and the demo was quite disappointing, with no proper light and preparation ;) So Flipkart, be well prepared with the demo and presentations next time on.

We had fun-filled question answer session, where in one of our Senior blogger wanted to match with the Priyanka Chopra look alike as an alliance for marriage, if Flipkart would support that option. Well, should Flipkart support this? Apart from that, there were so many concerns about Flipkart moving on to App only support. Flipkart claims this to be revolutionary step and we will all love it, I still do not support this step. For me, shopping through Laptop will be in ease compared to shopping through the App.

The images will be stored on your account for a specific periodic, based on the average time user takes to make a decision, comes back and buys the product. Also, they are yet to revive the privacy policy with this feature update. 

what is it all about the APP, I fail to understand!

The food served was yummy and thanks for the drinks and starters. :)

Now comes the interesting part of the event. Hands on activity on the #FlipkartImageSearch feature. It was much fun trying out the feature, great that I had updated the Flipkart app with the latest update before hand. The feature is in progress which currently applicable on Apparels and Accessories only. When I heard that Flipkart is launching Visual Search feature, I was very excited. And this feature is going to be a BIG HIT in India. 

Our task was to click the image of any Apparel or accessories which we like and then search for the product and add the closest similar product to the wishlist. Our group could collect around 25 products in few minutes time. Though we couldn't be the winners.

Anoop's T-Shirt was in great demand during Point.Shoot.Buy. Demo :D

Here  is the demo of the Visual Search feature. enjoy #FlipkartImageSearch experience. Click on the image to enlarge.

So, how do you like the #FlipkartImageSearch feature. Do let me know your feedback. Way to go #Flipkart. Lot more to work on the Visual Search for this to be a success. All the best!

Point. Shoot. Buy.

Picture Courtesy: IndiBlogger

Flipkart has changed the meaning of shopping in each and every household in India. Shopping is so much at ease with Flipkart from their reliable service to their up-to-date app/website where you find whatever you need to shop easily. The experience what I get is incomparable with any other online shopping channel. Simple and great designs!

Initially, I was so afraid of Online Shopping, though I started shopping for books. But the shopping was so reliable I ended up shopping each and everything, may it be apparels, cosmetics, house hold items and what not.

I'm so excited to join the IndiBlogger meet this time especially to get to know the Flipkart's newest technology #FlipkartImageSearch Experience to make our shopping a hassle free experience. See you @HardRockCafe #Flipkart and #IndiBlogger.

We miss you Sir!

He thought us to dream, to chase and work towards our dream, to be restless until we see the dream coming true. He inspired each and every Indian in one or the other way. Truly a peoples president, while on position, we never got the feel of politics but the service of a true citizen. A person who loved India more, moreover he loved humanity. His greatness is such that, he could say goodbye to his life while in front of the podium, in action, doing what he liked the most: inspiring generations of Indians.

We miss this man with a great vision for India and who live forever in the hearts of every Indian.

Today's Gyan is dedicated to Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. Salute to you sir.
http://cutemorningalways.blogspot.in/2015/07/friday-gyan-6-establishing-loyalty.html 

Hapus ka simple joy!

Come April, the markets all over in India will be flooded with variety of mangoes. April, May - the season of Mango and they are used in almost every cuisine.. Juice, Milk Shake, Aap ka panna, Lassi, Mango curry, Salsa, chutney, Desserts, Ice creams, and what not. 

I just love the season of mangoes and they are healthy too, until and unless you overeat :-D

Title courtesy: Prashant Bhandare

P.S: This post was in my drafts folder for a long while. Not sure why I hadn't posted this at that time. Anyways, kudos to the king of fruits and really miss the season.

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

With the new government, we have lot of expectations and confidence. Cleanliness and hygiene is something India was in need since inception and now we have a right guide with a perfect vision. We see all the celebrities and public figure too promoting and demonstrating Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

Cleanliness should start within, start from our home, our surroundings. While I come outside the house, my own neighbors keep the garbage bags outside. Poor dogs, they try to find something to eat resulting in scattering the garbage all over.  I see lot of people, who may keep their house and surroundings clean but don't bother about the public property, like throw the paper, plastics in the road and lot more. We should think that every public property is our property, we are the ones who pay tax and should be responsible to care about that. Hope to see all this get in order at the earliest.

We start now and start breathing fresh air, enjoy the beautiful vision of each and every corner of India soon. It’s possible only if WE DO IT.

I had shot this image last December on the way to Goa. Even, this will have a new look if WE DO IT.

No more Kambala's at Kadri

Image Credit: Prashant Bhandare, the winning entry of the contest Redefining Storytelling conducted by Sapient India.

Kambala - the most awaited traditional sport of tulunadu (Coastal Karnataka, India). It is the traditional buffalo race in the slush water held during December to March in various districts of Coastal Karnataka. The buffalo's running at headlong speed, it is an absolutely breath taking and thrilling experience. The racetrack is around 159 mts and the buffaloes take 20/30/40 seconds to complete the track. You can get the detailed information about the Kambala at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kambala

Years back, there were paddy fields throughout Mangalore city and each region would organize annual Kambala events. With time, all the regions stopped farming, sold the land, fields turned out to monstrous buildings but Kadri Kambala field being in the midst of the city has kept the cultural game alive until last year. Kadri Kambala is also known as Devara Kambala, as it is related to Kadri Manjunatha Temple.

It was disheartening to see the Kadri Kambala field filled with soil on one side. At first, my thought was they sold this land of cultural importance. Later, while browsing through the news I studied that due to some land dispute, they had to stop this and the bottom line is there will be no more Kambala’s organized in this place. In spite, there will not be any Kambalas within Mangalore city as Kadri Kambala is the only one, which was organised within the city.

The coming generation has already lost many historical, cultural experiences. Kambala was one such event, which our current generation was witnessing. One by one, even this experience is stolen from the next generation.

Few of the picture memories from Kadri Kambala of year 2011.

P.S: Image is copyright protected to Prashant Bhandare. Anyone who wants to publish or use these images for any purpose, please contact the concerned for permission.

Dancing 'round the nature!!

The point is that when I see a sunset or a waterfall or something, for a split second it's so great, because for a little bit I'm out of my brain, and it's got nothing to do with me. I'm not trying to figure it out, you know what I mean? And I wonder if I can somehow find a way to maintain that mind stillness. 

~Chris Evans

I feel the same when I'm around nature, especially near a waterfall or a stream. It's so relaxing, peaceful, stress-free, and secure. 

Change of name = Changing your identity!

Few things makes me think that we are still in the 19th century. I see most of them follow the same age old system of changing their name after marriage.

Most of the well educated, independent women these days change their identity when they get married. I don't understand what is the necessity to change their identity, is it from pressure or the age old system rooted within them. Personally to me, I have made my identity and people know by my name, and I will not change my identity for anything in this world. It's against my rule book. My name is my pride and I wouldn't let anyone change that.

When I was a child my parents just gave me my name and an initial just to segregate from the similar names. As I was growing up I did not find my initial fancy enough. I changed my name to my fathers surname. That was years back when I left school and I made my identity with that name. 

The younger generation now does not require their fathers name or husbands name. They just need a name. They will make their own identity. My niece and nephews all four of them are not given any surname or fathers name or mothers name. They have their first and middle. names which is different and unique. They are happy with their names and they feel different from the crowd.

I have also seen few people, if their wives has not changed the surname after marriage, they hesitate or not ready to include the spuoses name in the passport! This is heights, it's each individuals perception, whether to change or no. 

Women adjusts almost everywhere and in everything after marriage. Is it an adjustment all the women do in changing their name? In my opinion, changing the name is not a Requirement, changing people's perception is the Requirement.

Equality between men and women made me think of this topic this morning.

Bangalore Rains...

Pre-monsoon rains started in Bangalore... Getting the good feel so far...

Chitra Santhe 2014 - Assembling the platform

Tomorrow the streets of Chitra Kala Parishath and Kumara Krupa Park will be filled with various Art Work and Art Lovers. This year it's the 11th year of Chitra Santhe, unlike every year is on the first Sunday of January.

I was around here today at the Karnataka  Chitra Kala Parishath, the preparations are in full swing and the team is assembling the platform for tomorrow's inauguration. 

Few flicks from CKP

Be there on 5 Jan 2014 to encourage the  artists, also do visit the stall no. 856 beside Sindhia School.