Chowk means a square where many roads meet. That way Sata rasta is a famous junction in Mumbai. Nana chowk is in Grant Road area. In my childhood, I frequented Dadar, Mahalaxmi and Grant Road stations on western railway. I owe a great deal of worldly wise ness to my cousin Vilas Koparkar. He happened to be some years my senior and I followed him in many ways. When I overtook him and surpassed him we both did not know. Vilas Koparkar was a handsome man par excellence but he did know his worth. Any other man in his place would have become an actor in film industry or a character artist at least. But drink and to some extent gambling got the better of him. I remember as a child, I followed him to Kennedy bridge, Gamdevi and Opera House area where lot of Mujara girls lived. In the absence of dance bars they provided solace to Mumbai crowds. These girls easily fell for Vilas and they were ready to provide their services free of charge to him. Later for some years my contact with Vilas and Nana Chowk area stopped. Then I graduated to drink in my union activities period and went to far off places, not only Nana Chowk but I frequented the whole of red light area. Of course I went to red light area just for curiosity and to show my power. But my companions seized this opportunity to satisfy their lust.
Latif was my friend in Dongri, Shankar was friend in Kamathipura, Subhash in Khetawadi and Shakil was my companion in Kumbharwada. During that period I went to a bar in City-Light area. This was my most favorite place as it resembled Aroma bar in Dadar. On ground floor it was bootlegger’s place, on second floor it was country liquor’s joint and on third floor English bar, suit your pocket. What I liked about this bar was after the drink a beautiful hotel was very near which served high class biryani. In my later life, Arjun replced Vilas or Latif or Shankar. And even later I roamed that area alone fully drunk. The people in those areas knew me and seldom waged quarrel with me. In my sojourn, I met some beautiful damsels and kind-hearted companions. Shakeela was one such girl who without any purpose loved me and shielded me against dangers many times.
When I look back on the incidents with nostalgia, I remember many characters I met in that period. Nana chowk and surrounding area has had a profound effect on my personality. I saw Mumbai’s most raw side and most rich side. I went to Leopold caffe in Colaba and roamed Altamout road and Peddar road as also I frequently went to red light area in all its form. I met many places, persons and encountered many incidents which have enriched my experiences to great extent. Nana chowk, Vilas and Arjun have taught me invaluable things in life. Vilas and Arjun have saved me from many nasty situations as I was a head strong fellow in those days. I salute Nana chowk.