OUR HOUSE IN NANDYDROOG MINE KGF AND EBRAHIM'S SHOP

This is a picture of our old house in Nandydroog Mine where we lived for more than 25 years. My grand parents lived in the same house for more than 55 years before us. Our house was just opposite the Skating Rink and Nandydroog Club. The house had a beautiful Tiled Roof and a beautiful garden lovingly attended to by my mum and our Malis Ellappa and Muniappa. The beautiful hedge and gardens are no more and just live in our memories. However, the Peepel tree planted by my mum is still standing tall. Unfortunately, the 2 Jack Fruit trees and all the fruit trees are no more. My dad retired from the mines in 1977 and we shifted to Robertsonpet. We left this house with heavy hearts but took with us many beautiful memories.

Adjoining our house were 4 shops - Pansy Tailor's Shop which later became Gopal Tailor's Shop, Basha's Shop also known as Ahmed Shop, a small Eatery or Hotel which had some amazing short eats such as bondas, bajjis, puffs, etc and an a sweet called kajur. The last shop was Ebrahim's or Abhram's Shop. Our childhood revolved around these 4 shops. Sad to see their present condition.

Below is a picture of Pansy Tailor's Shop at the far left with its Trellis still intact but with lots of tiles missing from its roof. Pansy tailor passed on the shop to his assistant Gopal so it later came to known as Gopal Taylor Shop.

Basha's Shop also known as Ahmed Shop is in the middle and is now closed.Basha and his wife have since passed away. His sons Afzal and Amjath live in Bangalore. The tiles are missing from the roof.

The Hotel or Eatery is still there but has changed many managements over the years. They still blast tamil film songs on their old radio. The Bondas, Vadas, Kajurus are still as tasty as they were in our childhood.

Abraham or Ebrahim's shop is at the far right and is still in business.  His shop was full of tasty treats for us when we were kids. Especially remember the pottu kadla, Fried peas, Jignut toffee and kamarkuts.

Ibrahim is now a grand old man of 85 years but still going strong. God bless him.

Golconda Shaft, Balaghat

A distant view of the Golconda Shaft in Balaghat

FIVE LIGHT'S CIRCLE, Nandydroog Mine

This is a picture of the FIVE LIGHTS CIRCLE, in Nandydroog Mine. It was on the main road to Oorgaum Station and Robertsonpet. The four Roads branched off to various areas in KGF. It was / is one of the landmarks of KGF

THE BUTCHER'S SHOP

This is a picture of the Beef Butcher's Shop in Nandydroog Mine , close to the Swimming Bath and the Rescue Station. It looks the same as it did more than 50 years ago.

The Butcher whose name was Gafoor, would supply the different cuts of meat, depending on the dish that was to be prepared for lunch and dinner that day. Sadly Gafoor has since passed away. His son-in-law is now the proud owner of this shop.

BASHA'S SHOP

This is a picture of the 4 Shops opposite the Skating Rink and Nandydroog Club. We lived in the house practically adjoining them except for a small lane between.
Pansy Tailor's Shop is at the far left with its Trellis still intact. Pansy tailor passed on the shop to his assistant Gopal so it later came to known as Gopal Taylor Shop.
Basha's Shop also known as Ahmed Shop is in the middle and is now closed.Basha and his wife have since passed away. His sons Afzal and Amjath live in Bangalore. The tiles are missing from the roof.

The Hotel or Eatery is still there but has changed many managements over the years. They still blast tamil film songs on their old radio. The Bondas, Vadas, Kajurus are still as tasty as they were in our childhood.

Abraham or Ibrahim's shop is at the far right and is still doing business. However its not in the picture. Ibrahim is now a grand old man but still going strong. God bless him.

THE SKATING RINK, NANDYDROOG MINE, KGF

This is a picture of the Skating Rink in its present dilapidated state.
The Skating Rink which could be called the only auditorium in KGF at that time, was the most popular venue for Wedding receptions, Parties, get-togethers, Concerts, Musical Recitals, Meetings, Dances etc. The Cement floor was highly polished and very smooth and was initially used during the times of the British for Roller skating and ice skating and also for Ball Room Dances.

The building itself was not much to talk about, with corrugated iron sheets for its walls and roof and a false ceiling of Tatty Cane inside. It was more like a huge Shed that one sees in old Country and Western Movies and didn’t resemble an auditorium all. However this ‘Hall’ was close to everyone KGFites's heart and was iconic in its stature.

The Skating Rink was a land mark for the people of KGF. The Christmas Dances, May Queen Balls, Easter Balls, June Rose Balls, The Anglo-Indian Association AGM Ball, New Years Eve Ball, Wedding Receptions, Social and Religious functions, Conferences, etc, were all held at the Skating Rink. Its very sad to see it in its present neglected and rundown state.