I am also an old Kulfi lover like Owais. This photograph, from Lahore Nama, immediately got my attention and brought back so many childhood memories.
Originally taken by Ane Malik, this photo represents once the most cherished desserts of Lahore. It was posted on Lahore Nama by Raza Rumi, a gifted writer whose articles are regularly featured at ATP.
Unfortunately, just like the Gola Ganda and Lacha/Gatta (man with ringing bell who sold us sweet candy in shapes of cars, giraffe, cats, superman etc), the traditional Kulfi is also diminishing slowly. It is rare now that we see the traditional styled Kulfi Carts decorated and painted in vibrant colors and with traditional motifs and with names of Allah and Sufi Saints.
I, at least, am disappointment at losing our Kulfi, Gola Ganda and Lacha/Gatta walas who brought us joy when we were kids.
Dear Adil. Those were great times . And yes it was always ” Yousaf Falooda shop” , Purani Anarkali, with some extra topings of “badam giry”. Eating Falooda from Punari Anarkli was one of the first important step in becoming a Lahori. The more “Mummy Daddy” amongst us always insisted on having it without the “Rubbri”.
Umar Hall, 1984. Ours was one of the most beautiful courtyards. The sad news is that A hall is gone, being replaced by an ugly concrete monolith. They are also planning to demolish Tariq and D-halls.
Well. back to the kulfI walla. Riaz Falooda shop was the first one to run an advertizing campaign in cinemas.
Dear Ahsan, my apologies for the late response.
Yes, indeed, I had a “racing cycle” at UET - each of the four of us, all from Islamabad, who shared a room at Umar Hall had one, as your rightly recall.
The trips to Liberty (many of our fellow students took the UET bus, sitting on teh rooftop) were quite memorable in themselves, but the kulfi falooda came in teh late night trips to purani Anarkali. That was our regular post-midnight Kulfi jaunt!
You bring back some great memories ;-)
I agree. There is nothing like an ice cold khoye wali kulfi in this July heat of Lahore. Yum :)
Very colorful cart. I have never seen one like this but woudl love eating a kulfi right now!
“In fact there was this “Islamabadian” group in UET of which Adil Najam was a member and they used to go to Liberty in the evenings, may be to have that qulfa in liberty chowk.”
Really? Adil Najam was at UET at that time? And what’s this story of going to liberty on racing cycles? I suppose Vitals Signs (JJ, Rohail etc etc) were also there around same time. Lucky you.
I wish we write more on these beautiful little things of Pakistan rather than same old depressing politics. Thank you for writing this.
nice picture. awsome. i love this art of our Pakistan.
Well I missed it. They used to go on their “racing cycles” .
Dear Shariq. Your use of the term “racing cycle” bring back so many good memories. Back in 80’s, there was always this “racing cycle” with lots of gears. In fact there was this “Islamabadian” group in UET of which Adil Najam was a member and they used to go to Liberty in the evenings, may be to have that qulfa in liberty chowk.