Rajeev's World: Am I In India? No, I Am In Little India...

After an exciting morning at Tanjong Pagar Railway Station and Haw Par Villa, I headed to Little India to meet an old friend from college. I certainly did not have high hopes, after the disaster we had at Little India during the last trip here in August 2014.

My first impression of Little India weren't too great. "Was I right, in making that impression?" was the big question in my mind as I headed to Little India again. I put my fears of a bad tummy aside, and went ahead to experience a bit more, to scratch a bit beyond the surface, with an open mind... For a traveller without an open mind isn't an explorer, he's merely a traveller...

In the early 1840s, Little India became a residential area for the Europeans - the completion of the Race Course nearby made the area a focal point for the community. Ever since the first 2-day race was held in February 1842, Europeans would turn up at what is now Farrer Park Road to watch their countrymen compete on horses they had trained themselves.

At the same time, areas around Serangoon Road were developed as a settlement for Tamil convicts. Its location along the Serangoon River originally made it attractive for raising cattle, and trade in livestock was prominent in the area.

Eventually, other economic activity developed, and by early 1900s, the area began to look like a Tamil ethnic neighbourhood. Besides being sources of meat and milk, cattle served as means of transportation and for wheat grinding. Over time, Little India became a magnet for immigrants from India. No wonder, there are direct flights from all over South India (I know of Trichy for sure), straight into Singapore carrying migrant workers...

Headed to Little India, I came across this lovely artwork at Haw Par Villa MRT station...

Finally reach Farrer Park, one of the two MRT stations serving Little India... Little wonder you have Kareena Kapoor seductively staring you, luring you into buying, well, what else but India... India's fancy for the yellow metal will never die...

Kareena is chasing me wherever I go... Gosh!

As if Malabar Gold & Jewels wasn't enough, Joyalukkas is also very much in the business of "seduction" here... I remember Joyalukkas from my frequent South India sojourns. Joyalukkas is big there, but seeing them here was a real revelation!

A shopping Mecca for Indian tourists, Mustafa Centre which was established in 1971 sells everything from electronics to phones to MDH spices and Amul butter!

A lane alongside Mustafa's...

That's just like any street in Chennai!

Mustafa is open 24-hours!

The new wing of Mustafa's...

My favourite joint from Chennai, Sarvana Bhavan is right next door! The aromas of South Indian cuisine made my mouth water endlessly!

Who can forget Murugan Idli Shop? I first visited Murugan's at Madurai alongwith Neeti nearly three years back and the memories of the fluffy, hot idlis will always be etched in our minds, with the absolutely divine chutneys! And then who can forget the jigarthanda?

Murgan's was founded by a gentleman called S. Manoharan who used to sell idlis at Madurai Railway Station, that became quite a legend. From there Murugan's grew and the first restaurant was opened in 1993 and the rest is history!

Kailash Parbat was right opposite my earlier apartment in Lokhandwala, Andheri West! And Mr. Mulchandani, the owner used to stay in my apartment block and was kind enough to provide catering for the building's Holi celebrations! This is so much like home...

Anjappar is one of my favourite places for Kothu Parotta in Chennai!

A colleague has been telling me that Ponnusamy in Chennai is a must-visit for authentic Chettinad non-vegetarian delights. I could never make it to Ponnu's in Channei, can I in Singapore?

The Arya Samaj Temple at Syed Alwi Road... Neeti would be too pleased to see this!

Little India street views...

Hindoo Road...

Kampong Kapor was home to the Baweanese community, who came from the Bawean Island off the coast of Java in 1800s. The worked as hard labour in Singapore. A huge fire gutted the Baweanese habitations here in 1883 reducing them to squalor. Years later the government had to redevelop the area...