QUINTESSENTIAL BHOPALI witticism with all the sartorial splendour enchanted selected guests at a dinner party in Hotel Noor Us Sabah as two ‘batolebaaz’ regaled them with banters.
The scene was captivating: two Bhopalis churning out wittiest of repartees, a tea stall vending out delicious salted tea and three tonga backs showcasing exclusive heritage of Bhopal.
Most of the guests were delegates and other VIP guests of the travel and tourism mart ‘Destination Madhya Pradesh’. The ambience of the do was heritage in true sense. Two nawabi soldiers in full attire and spears in hand welcomed guests at the entrance. A couple of girls, dressed in traditional white chikan chooridar and chau-kalia kurti, sprinkled itr (perfume ) at every one while a bugler announced each guest’s arrival from his toorti (bugle).
Inside the lawns, two batolebaaz Bhopalis were creating ripples with their chitchat over chess. Non-Bhopalis were seen gawking like true tourists while trying unsuccessfully to control laughter.
Most guests had their hands on stomachs that started aching due to non-stop hilarity. Just some distance away was a stall treating guests to every Bhopalis’ favourite, salted tea. Several guests relished the specialty.
Some non-Bhopalis grimaced at the first sip but gathered themselves to finish the concoction before rushing to wash it down with finer variety of drinks on offer.
{{/usCountry}}Some non-Bhopalis grimaced at the first sip but gathered themselves to finish the concoction before rushing to wash it down with finer variety of drinks on offer.
{{/usCountry}}Plates were laid on the seats of three tongas, which were, of course, minus the ponies. All the guests, surely, would have had the first opportunity in their life to pick up plates from a tonga seat before proceeding for their grub.
Some guests, however, felt that the batolebaazi act could have been even more attractive had their been an announcement about it during the party and a proper display organised for guests. Nonetheless, almost everyone managed to enjoy it thoroughly.
All in all, it was a memorable evening, and the hosts received accolades from one and all for having found a novel way to present a few of the indispensable ingredients of Bhopal’s famous, and almost unique, heritage.