Buzz
During Ramadan in Mumbai, as the sun sets, the historic street near Minara Masjid transforms into a vibrant food festival. This area, known as khau galli or ‘eat street,’ welcomes everyone to break their fast with an array of barbecues and sweets. Local photographer Hashim Badani, a frequent visitor, has beautifully captured this lively scene for Dinogo.
With the arrival of Mumbai’s monsoon, the heat and humidity become intense. Photographer Badani recounts being drenched throughout his shoot, noting how the street food enthusiasts and Ramadan participants crowd the khau galli as densely as rush hour trains. “You can’t stand still here; you’re constantly moving and sweating as you enjoy the rich food,” says Badani.
While the street offers an array of meats like chicken tikka and goat brain masala, the real highlight is the selection of sweets. Badani points out that during the festival, unique treats like
As Badani captured the festival’s vibrancy, vendors eagerly posed for the camera, generously offering sweets and ensuring a smooth flow of customers. Badani notes that many of these vendors make as much in these nightly events as they do in the next six months combined.
The market remains vibrant throughout the night, catering to late-night diners, night owls, and Muslims enjoying a meal before dawn prayers. During Ramadan, the khau galli attracts a diverse crowd to a part of the city rarely visited otherwise. Badani finds it heartwarming to witness Mumbai’s community coming together through food.
Hashim Badani is a photographer based in Mumbai.
