Sights and Sounds of Pakistan: Lahore Old City Part-1

Sights and Sounds of Pakistan: Lahore Old City Part-1

"Androon Shehar" (the Walled City) or the Old Lahore north-west of Lahore contains the heart of Lahore – its original cultural property in the form of mosques, forts, gateways, residential buildings, palaces, tombs, alleyways and open squares.

These when coupled with the traditional cultural activities and social relationships, enhance the character of the Walled City with its individual buildings and bazaars. Old Lahore is the dense, tottering, bazaar-city of Kipling’s stories, and some of his
titles, like The Gate of a Hundred Sorrows, could serve as name plaques every few steps.

Old Lahore is anarchic, boisterous, crammed, decrepit, exuberant, and aromatic, though, it lost much of its grandeur when most of it was burnt down during the partition of British India.

The true "Lahori" life is visible everywhere when one walks through its narrow winding alleys. In early morning, the traditional breakfast of "Halwa and Poori" (below second from left) is seen being made by the corner of the street.

One really enjoys the paper thin "Poori" – made of flour and fried in boiling hot oil with a "Bhaaji" – a dish made of grams and potatoes with pickle and onions, followed by "Halwa" – a sweet made of sooji, sugar and ghee.

After this rather heavy feast, Lahories never forget to drink a large glass of "Lassi" (below third from left) – made from yogurt, sugar and water in one gulp. Try this whenever you are in Lahore.

Life in the Walled City is more fun and lively. The marriages are a scene to be seen. The groom wearing garlands (above right) made from currency notes of lower denominations walks or horse rides to the would be bride’s house, accompanied by his friends
dancing all the way on the beat of drum or "dhol".

During the spring season, the festival of kite flying or Basant attracts rich and poor from all parts of Lahore to the walled city. For days the festivities continue, but on actual Basant day, all roof tops of havelies and other high rising houses are jam
packed with kite flyers and onlookers.

To be continued…

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=21467

Posted by Naveed A Bari on May 4 2012. Filed under Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry