Okay folks it was bound to happen! Whilst putting this site together, The Southall Team searched all corners of the known web and non-web universe to discover one of the most entertaining and smile producing information that we could gather. This was ‘Walking Tour’ organised by Monisha Bharadwaj. Although this was reported took place in 2005, it is nevertheless an important discovery:

‘“Beware, you are about to enter a land of temptation.” This is how Monisha Bharadwaj introduces her walk around Southall, an area of North London known to many as ‘Little India’. She will take a headcount at each stop along the way, in case the visitors get lost, distracted by something to eat or buy.

The precaution seems a little unnecessary: there aren’t many troops of white people walking through Southall. For some, this walk along London streets will feel like a tourist trip in a foreign country. But tourists can hope for no better guide than Monisha, who has made a career out of sharing the delights of Indian culture.

The author of thirteen books about India, a professional chef and a teacher of classical Indian dance, Monisha talks to us about history, mythology, fashion and food as she goes. She tells us that, since she started in January, Southall has come to expect the walk every month.

We start at the Glassy Junction, a symbol of how the Southall Punjabi community has assimilated British culture. Decorated with a giant beer with an Indian drummer on its side, it is the only pub in Britain where you can buy your pint with rupees.

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