Matunga Memories: A Melting Pot of Cultures, Ideas, Education and Aspirations I Left Behind

A brief encounter at a gas station in California’s East Bay transported me to my college years in the vibrant locality nestled in the heart of Mumbai.

Sunday morning brought clear weather after on-and-off showers in the East Bay. I went to a Core Power Yoga class with my daughter at the Blackhawk studio in Danville. On the way back, we stopped to fill up gas at Costco Wholesale. As my daughter stepped out to fill the gas, I noticed the nameplate on the car parked in front of me. A middle-aged gentleman in casual clothes stepped out. I couldn’t stop myself from going up to him and talking to him about his car tag which read “Matunga.”

“Are you from Matunga?” I asked him. “Yes,” he replied. W’e lived in Matunga in a house bought by my father for $1,600 rupees,” said Mr. Shah with great pride. “We are three brothers. We went to Don Bosco School, and we have kept the house in the family over the years as a testament to our childhood.”

I enjoyed this brief exchange at the gas pump, and we went on our ways. I drove back home admiring the lush green hills around me, dotted with cherry plums, pink magnolias, and forsythias, but my mind had traveled to my college days spent on board the 90-number BEST bus from the Eastern suburbs of Chembur via Sion, to Matunga for my 12th grade or junior college at the Ram Narain Ruia College.

Matunga, or Matungum as we affectionately called it, is a vibrant locality nestled in the heart of Mumbai. Matunga has a lot of South Indian families but is also home to Parsis, Gujaratis, Bengalis, and Maharashtrians. It epitomizes the essence of cultural diversity and academic excellence. Boasting a rich tapestry of communities, Matunga is not just a suburb; it’s a microcosm of Mumbai’s cosmopolitan demographic.

Historically, Matunga has been a pivotal part of Mumbai, dating back to its origins as one of the seven original islands. Its planned development as part of the Dadar-Matunga-Wadala-Sion scheme of 1899-1900 reflects a forward-thinking approach to urban planning, emphasizing sanitation, green spaces, planned residential colonies, schools, and commercial establishments. At the heart of Matunga’s allure lies its educational institutions, such as Don Bosco High School, which, with its multiple sports facilities, nurtures a culture of athleticism and teamwork among its students.

Beyond academia, Matunga exudes community spirit. From its myriad temples, churches, and mosques to its bustling markets and eateries serving delectable South Indian cuisine.

The Ramnarain Ruia Autonomous College shines as a beacon of academic excellence. Established in June 1937, Ruia College has evolved into a prestigious institution affiliated with the University of Mumbai. I remember the vast complex tree lined complex with grand staircases, leading to wide white-washed corridors and large auditorium-style classrooms. It was here that we listened to lectures, passed notes in textbooks, and noticed other students with side glances.

The students enrolled in Ruia College were not as “hip,” and did not go clubbing as those attending Elphinstone or St. Xavier’s in South Mumbai, but all of them were studious and secured high marks in competitive exams.

It was in Matunga that I admired a fellow student who was quite bright. We both would get called upon a lot by the professors and were always curious to see who secured better marks in term papers. He secured a seat in GS Medical College/ KEM Hospital, as I did in LTMMC/ Sion Hospital. He became an ENT surgeon in Boston and your’s truly a diagnostic pathologist in Alabama. We never connected in America.

Ruia College, a true “College of Excellence,” served me well. The college’s diverse academic programs, state-of-the-art facilities, and emphasis on research and innovation create an enriching environment for students to explore, experience, and excel in their chosen fields.

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Beyond academia, Matunga exudes community spirit. From its myriad temples, churches, and mosques to its bustling markets and eateries serving delectable South Indian cuisine on banana leaves with authentic chutneys, vadas, idlis, and dosas. I remember the annual celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi, marked by beautifully adorned Ganesh mandals, reflecting the community’s fervor and devotion to the beloved deity of Mumbai.

My father took us to visit Matunga’s sports facilities, including the Matunga Gymkhana and Indian Gymkhana, a home for budding athletes to hone their skills in badminton, cricket, and basketball, and pursue their passions.

I was happy that the chance meeting with Mr. Shah from Matunga today, reminded me of this unique melting pot of cultures, ideas, education, and aspirations, highlighting how our lives are connected and we can travel thousands of miles in minutes through our memories.

With one foot in Huntsville, Alabama, the other in her birth home India, and a heart steeped in humanity, writing is a contemplative practice for Monita Soni. She has published hundreds of poems, movie reviews, book critiques, and essays and contributed to combined literary works. Her two books are My Light Reflections and Flow through My Heart. You can hear her commentaries on Sundial Writers Corner WLRH 89.3FM.