Dadar is that place in Mumbai that has singular place in my life’s journey. I don’t know when my fore fathers left a room in Lalbaug area. But since I was toddler I have been going to my Shanta aunty’s home in Dhuru wadi, Agarbazar, Dadar. Then it was on Cadel road now it is renamed as Veer Sawarkar road very near to food technology institute. Agarabazar was then very serene area with fisher folks living and their fish market. I remember to go for a walk with my cousin Snehal holding her hand. I vividly remember walking on Dadar chowpaty or playing cricket in sand there.
Those days were like dream. I have vivid memories of Dadar from railway station to its by-lanes like Tayakal wadi. Then slightly grown up I used to walk on Vicent Road from Dadar tram terminus to Sion Circle, a long walk in those days. I remember I used to day dream about my future life and I so engrossed in my reverie that I never know when King’s circle came or Sion came. How different life came to my fortune now. Life is indeed a complexe affair, I have to agree with my friend. Sometimes I visited D. L. Vaidya road to visit my cousin’s Vinod Sule’s home and play with them chess.
Then we came to stay at Ambernath. In the period of my union activities, I used to drink lot and sometimes slept at my friend’s place at Kelkar road. We visited Aroma bar on many occasions. In fact Aroma became our rendezvous. In Aroma bar on the ground floor there was deshi bar and first floor was country bar. On second was foreign liquor bar and here G. M. Waradakar was usually waiting for us. He was our boss and under his guidance we scaled many difficult situations in our career. Every evening at six we used to meet and discussed our plans till late into night. No need to tell, I caught late night train to Ambarnath and slept soundly in train or sometimes went directly to Karjat if the train happened to be Karjat bound. Then I visited Dadar bar but there were many enemies there and not day passed without some scuffle. Ranade road was exclusively Babbya’s area but I was friendly with him, so no problem there. Dadar, I loved as my area. My brother in law-Suhas- stayed at Kelkar road above Dadar post office and sometimes I stayed with him and we enjoyed a beer at his joint. My memories of Dadar are bitter sweet memories but that was wonderful period in my life. With my friends I went to Shivaji Park area and Dadar chowpatti. Really there are many places in Dadar to loiter. Dadar of my childhood was romantic and beautiful place. I remember my walks from station to Portuguese church and Sarwakar road. What beautiful and calm that area had been. Then I walked on Gokhale road to Mahim junction. From the very beginning Dadar roads ae spacious and neat either west side or east side. Now Dadar has become a buyers paradise and solid rush on all days of week.
Hindu colony area of Dadar is cool area with lovely bungalows dotting Vincent road. Dadar has a niche in my heart that is unforgettable. I will never forget Dadar. Long live Dadar.