A visit to the Constitutional Club – New Delhi

I know, the title sounds more like the essay’s we were made to write in school. Now, I am told, essays, letters and precis are no longer a part of language exam repertoire. Anyways, it was a trip to a Government Office in Civil Lines, we were exhausted the distance, the attitude and at our wits end! Food or lunch was top priority and there are a plethora of options available but we headed out to the Constitutional Club which we had been told has some interesting options.

Constitutional Club is situated on Rafi Marg. It is another gem of a road in Delhi which has some old places – AIFACS, Mavalankar auditorium, UNI canteen, PTI canteen. The club itself spacious, old world charm, there are ducks in lawns on the side. Lovely spaces and outdoor cafes. The inside to has comfortable conference rooms, spaces to conduct meetings and of course lots of parking. The road outside is less crowded and seems a milestone away from the usual traffic of Connaught Place.

Constitutional Club has a chequered history. It was started in 1947 to be a meeting place for the past and present Members of Parliament. As a space to foster discussions, exchange of views and ideas. It has all facilities of a club – gyms, pool, salon and of course excellent eateries. The list of Presidents and Governing Council reads like whos who from the world of politics. They have organized Car Rally’s and other cultural evenings. The website www.constitutionalclub.in provides an indepth view.

What we found charming was a host of eateries within and outside.

Cine Tree Café – this is a beautiful space literally in the outdoors. Nice tall chairs (I am not a huge fan of them though!), with the greenery outside literally coming in. It is an ideal space to hang out and watch the rains. It has some excellent eating options from one pot meal bowls to snacks and tasty desserts. One can climb up the stairs to go the terrace like top floor. It is almost like living in a tree house in Delhi!! Open till wee hours in the morning.

 

Coffee Break – Another outdoor seating area with a cover top, which offers coffee, little snacks and cold drinks.

Article 21 – Yes, we had their Chinese Food and were floored. The space is nice and cosy. It is inside the club and they allow walk ins with no reservation or membership. They have a range of South Indian, North Indian and Chinese food. The drinks include both alcholic and non-alcholic beverages. The waiters are prompt and suggest interesting items from the menu. The fried rice was nice and light while the curry was spicy and just right. The lotus stem starter we finished off. The portions are generous and we were satiated and of course it was easy on the pocket too!

The Bread and confectionary station – Just before the restaurant is a small Bakery of sorts with some excellent desserts and breads.

Ice Cream Parlour – There is a cute ice cream junction or parlour just opposide the bread shop. Both are nice.

Where -  Rafi Marg, just behind Parliament Street Post office. It is slightly off Parliament road.

Timing – The outdoor is open late night, the indoor restaurant closes early – check for the timings.

Highlight – It is a space away from the hustle and bustle of CP. It reminds one of what Delhi once was, peaceful, less noisy, less busy, plenty of open spaces and wide roads.

Insider Tip – There is a special canteen for MPs or Members of Parlianent. It should be good, if you have contacts try it out and you would also be rubbing shoulders with high, mighty and powerful.  Article 21 is nice and cosy and definitely a must do in CP! Each time.

 

Ek Mulaqat at Kamani Auditorium

Kamani Auditorium was where our school annual day used to be held initially. It used to be a huge space. Seeing it after years (and no I am not counting!!), the feeling was different. It is still cosy and nice. The audi which had seemed huge to a 5 year old didn’t seem that huge. A 632 seater auditorium with good acoustic, is reminiscent of what Delhi once was!

Our Rendevous – It was my dear Neetu’s (Neetu Nanda Sehgal) idea and was she persistent?!!! She did book wonderful seats though😊😊Asha Aunty (dear Kochie’s mother – I shall not write Kochie’s full name for wrath hath no fury as Kochie by his real name!:)) happily agreed to join. I reached early, not far for a Delhi person. Thanks to Google going a bit haywire Aunty and Neets meandered enroute (Chote Lal’s navigation skills not withstanding) and reached just in time.

Coming to Ek Mulaqat - They say a dying person usually gives a vision to his or her most beloved person, before leaving this world! Several have claimed to have seen such a vision. And poet Sahir Ludhianvi does that to his beloved Amrita Pritam, on the fateful night of 28^th October 1980.  It is this meeting between the two which forms the basis for the most delightful poetic interlude or call it conversation between the two brilliant poets. The exchange brings out literally all emotions or rasas. There is mild flirting, leg pulling, sarcasm, a look at Amrita’s unconventional life, religion.. The repartees are equal, there is no one sided advantage.

Shekhar Suman playing Sahir Ludhianvi and Geetika Tyagi playing Amrita Pritam, directed by Saif Hyder Hasan. The earlier version had Deepti Naval playing Amrita Pritam. Though these are just facts, after the intial spell, one just got lost in the narrative. The poetic nuances and the voice that rendered it held attention, the actors were relegated to the background. It is amazing, how just two persons held the 500 odd viewers to rapt attention. The poems brought back snips from Bandhey, Guru Dutt Pyasa, Kabhi Kabhi, there are a couple of lines narrated by Amitabh Bachhan which played in the background. It is however the wonderful poetry which holds you, narrated with precision.  The meeting seemingly puts an end to the unfinished love story, with a sense of deep understanding going beyond the stated. Imroz is heard as a voice only never seen as the person. The spell is broken with the announcemnent that Sahir has passed away in Mumbai! Leaving the spell bound audience to figure it out what this was all about…each to his own.

Where – Copernicus Marg. Kamani Auditorium is situated next to Shriram Bhartiya Kala Kendra. Look it up for information on more plays and screenings. The duo have promised more such interludes.

Timing – Check out the programme and the timing you want to go.

Highlight - The auditorium is located in what can be called the old charming part of Delhi where the literati gather and where culture of Delhi happens!. There are other spaces around which are interesting – The little theatre group, Sriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra. There are plenty of Sadans and Bhavans on the opposite side and will have interesting canteen to grab a bite. The Auditorium also has the Kamani Café, which we didn’t try, may be for another time.

Insider Tip – There are plenty of plays going on and eager directors pass out leaflets and promos for their screenings outside the gate. Our fun moment – I learnt the route from Copernicus Marg to Gurgaon, thanks to guiding Chote Lal (Aunty n Kochie’s driver), though not sure where Chote Lal will be able to find his way back!!!