Numaish: Childhood Nostalgia!

What was started as a Numaish (exhibition) of local products way back in 1938 by graduates of the Osmania University in the Nizam's era, still continues in Hyderabad every year for 46 days.

Hardly anyone is aware of why the tradition has continued, but the Numaish is as Hyderabadi a tradition as Biryani or Patthar ka Gosh, and thousands of Hyderabadi's visit it yearly, at least as a mark of their citizenry. The fairgrounds has thousands of visitors daily between January and mid-February every year.

For every old Hyderabadi like me, the Numaish just isn't what it used to be - just like Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.

Where have the Persian carpets gone? Where is the Ventriloquist's show? Magic Show? Kala Bhavan's mud sculptures of village life? Snuff stall with the mechanical cyclist where you could take a pinch of snuff and sneeze away happily? AP Fisheries stall? Bookstall at Gandhi Bhavan? And the Prison Department's sale?

An older generation remembers a different Well of Death -where a man set flames to himself from high above and jumped into a small well of water, multiple times through the 46 days.

While the Irani and Pakistani stalls have stopped, several traditions still continue.

Among them, the Kashmiri carpets and dry fruits, UP Chikan work, MP and Rajasthani savories.

The photography shops have stopped, along with their make-believe sets where you could take a black-and-white photograph draping your arm around Amitabh Bachchan on a motorcycle, and have it printed in less than two hours.

Before the Numaish changes any more character, here is a photographic flood of memories for old Hyderabadis!

Hawkers near Gandhi Bhavan Gate (Gate no.1 of three gates)

Before you enter the costly exhibition, you can stock up on cheap samosas - Hawker selling samosas on a cycle

Pop-corn and Sugar Candy is cheaper here, outside Numaish at Gandhi Gate

There are myriad food shops at the entry of every gate

There's even a temple outside Gandhi Bhavan gate

A hawker selling shopping bags in case you forgot to bring a bag!

At every Numaish, you look for magic knick-knacks, like these "Magic Towels"!

Kashmir Stalls

I couldn't resist this picture that advertised Gas "Goli" (pill) that would draw your stomach in and puff up your chest! I think the stomach was 56" before the pill!

Before these exclusive pop-corn shops fade away, best to capture them!

Artificial Jewelry, Plastic Gemstones, Lipsticks, Hairbands, and scores of women!

This kid was sitting with his father whiling away time, just like I had with my father in a crystal glass stall, 40 years ago!

Bade Miyan Kababs - Seekh & Boti Kababs!

Paththar Ka Gosh - Mutton slow-cooked on a stone!

Patthar Ka Gosh!!!

Children's Toy Store

Vijaya Dairy Parlor, in memory of Altaf "Bond", my friend who passed away.

Ladies' dresses (Left) and Kids Toys (Right). Something for everyone!

When you see the amount of Trash thrown everywhere, you realize that we Hyderabadis really think it is very clean!

The Ferris Wheel Area! When I was young, this WAS a "GIANT" Wheel!

The "Well of Death" features 4 cars, and 4 motorcycles, doing daring stunts inside this small cylindrical space, riding without hands spinning all over.

"Veg Puffs" with steaming hot tomato sauce!

The Toy "Train" now is a car with wagons attached. Are the old mini-train tracks at least still there?

I went on a whim with a camera. And came back lost in memories. If you have any tales to tell of the Numaish (or how you were lost in it as a little child), let us know!