Revisiting Yazdani Bakery
The language of spaces has always captivated me. I am especially enticed by old, vintage places, that continue to dance to their own rhythm and haven’t succumbed to the changing times. It comes naturally to me, because my own house in Bombay is a 70 year old bungalow which characterises old in every possible sense, and hasn’t changed much in all these years. And so my interest for vintage spaces began at home and now expands further into the city, which is rapidly changing and evolving.
Yazdani bakery has been a frequent haunt for many years, on my many visits to South Bombay. Be it for a quick mava cake, picked up and munched over on our way to VT station, be it a nice evening chai and bun maska, or a visit specially for bread. While I have frequented its contemporaries more often like Kayani’s, Coolar & co, Cafe Excelsior, etc; I have a soft corner for Yazdani for some unknown reason.
I went there again two days ago, just before closing time. It was probably after 2 years or so, that I sat and slowly dipped my bun in the chai and devoured the lovely taste of simple, delectable bread. I savoured it in the midst of gazing at the 100 year old wall clock, or throwing glances at the bread cutting machine belonging to another era, and at boards with their fixed menu. As waiters swarmed about all around our table, it felt like I was not just eating a piece of their usual bread, but also taking in a piece of the history of the place, the love for old traditions of bread-making, the love that goes into keeping such a place running just as it used to, for generations together and the collective support of loyal customers. Perhaps this space evokes not just nostalgia, but a shared yearning to dip into the Bombay of yesteryears, which I have never known but only been able to recreate in imagination.
This photo series showcases the details of the space, with some of its subjects in it. All these different parts of the restaurant, come together to form a space that embodies a distinct character of its own.
