The veneer that coats India’s “Silicon Valley” what with its shiny glass and chrome structures, its hep and stylish people, malls, cars, brands etc slips every now and then to reveal a facade where some people battle it out – on its footpaths, junctions, streets etc – to make ends meet. Desperate to make a living yet holding on, as a last resort, to a tiny strand of self respect and dignity.

Take Babu Ahmed for instance. He comes all the way from Hoskote to sells his musical instrument on Church Street. The daily struggle to sell a couple of them, the dishevelled look and the weary lines on his face do nothing to diminish his unbowed spirit. Pegging the price high at Rs 70/- is a gambit to land a customer who walks away satisfied with his bargain. Meanwhile, Babu’s talent with the simple instrument is clear to see and hear. Listen up.

More info on the instrument here and here and here. The tune is Pardesi, Pardesi from the film Raja Hindustani. Full video of the song here.