I saw a woman busily walking past a stall selling mineral water and juice while talking on her cell phone. Looking again at the stall, I found not only drinks but also food, including bread. When one thinks of Indian bread, naan may be the first thing that comes to mind in Japan, but in reality, the variety is very rich and profound. Roti, chapati, kurta, parotta, and paratha are just a few of the names that come to mind.
Not only that. Breads with Western roots are also commonly eaten in India. In Mumbai in particular, Portuguese-influenced bread has taken root. Goa in Western India was once a Portuguese colony, and its cultural influences are still present in various forms. For the Portuguese, white bread made from wheat flour was an essential part of the Catholic Mass, but yeast was not readily available in India. After much trial and error, they developed a method of fermentation using toddy, an alcoholic beverage made from the sap of palm trees. The bread made with this technique later became a part of the daily life of the people of Mumbai and is now widely known as “Pav Bhaji”.
Pav Bhaji is a dish of spicy vegetable curry served with fluffy bread and is popular among men and women of all ages. At this stall, perhaps I was able to experience a part of India's unique bread culture.
Jan 2025 IN THE CITY INDIA | |
CELL PHONE MUMBAI STALL YOUNG WOMAN |
No
12770
Shooting Date
May 2024
Posted On
January 21, 2025
Place
Mumbai, India
Genre
Street Photography
Camera
SONY ALPHA 7R V
Lens
ZEISS BATIS 2/40 CF