Trunk call
The only way to make long-distance calls wherein a telephone operator was required to connect you to another city or country. Accompanied by a crackle and frequent disconnection.
REPLACEMENT An improved telephone service and mobile phones

Moped
A class of low-powered motorised vehicles, preferred mostly by women. When out of gas, they could always pedal back home.
REPLACEMENT Colourful scooties

Letter-box
A red box would gulp in hand-written letters and miraculously deliver them to the addressee. Usually weeks or months later, and sometimes never.
REPLACEMENT E-mails

In-trays, out-trays
Two sets of plastic file containers placed on government office desks. The in-tray would usually be full. It would require monetary incentives for files to be shifted to out-trays.
REPLACEMENT Computers

Bell bottoms
Shaped like an inverted funnel, helped the wrong part of the anatomy breathe.
REPLACEMENT Straight pants

Test cricket
A five-day cricket match, which required each player to be dismissed twice before the match ended.
REPLACEMENT One-day cricket

Flower power
A 1970s phenomenon, used by hippies as a slogan for non-violence, post Vietnam War. For reference to the Indian context, watch Hare Rama Hare Krishna.
REPLACEMENT Wars and nuclear proliferation

The Ambassador
The first Indian car, a version of UK's 1948 Morris Oxford. Still used by Indian politicians as a symbol of the country's progress, or lack of it.
REPLACEMENT A plethora of Indian and foreign cars

Amar chitra katha
A pictorial depiction of Indian history, Hindu mythology, folklore and culture.
REPLACEMENT Smarter comics and Harry Potter

Gramophone
A device used to record and play music in the late 20th century.
REPLACEMENT CD players and iPods

VCR
A machine where one had to insert black bulky video cassettes to play movies. Parents would need children to start one.
REPLACEMENT DVD players

Typewriters
Used to print data through letter-based commands. They were usually handled by pretty women known as typists.
REPLACEMENT Microsoft Office

Pagers
A device used to send short messages. The original SMS machine.
REPLACEMENT Mobile phones

Hair bands
Men like John McEnroe earlier wore them on their foreheads. Technically used to absorb sweat, they later became style statements.
REPLACEMENT Batik scarves

AM radio
A few stations that would mostly play songs.
REPLACEMENT FM channels

Inkpens
Required blue or black liquid, that came in bottles called inkpots. Had a nib in place of a roller.
REPLACEMENT Ballpoint and gel pens

Joint family
A situation where your second cousin and you would live in the same house, a concept that exists only in Indian television serials today.
REPLACEMENT Nuclear families

Film camera
A camera that didn't work without film rolls. Still regarded by old-timers as the only way to take pictures.
REPLACEMENT The digital camera, the handycam and the webcam

Love letters
Scented, poetically-driven letters, sometimes stained in blood, usually the best way to express emotions.
REPLACEMENT Instant messaging. DTE 2nite?

Angry young man
Generally unemployed, prone to beating up men at the slightest provocation. Had prolonged bad hair days.
REPLACEMENT The sensitive new-age man

Poppins
Round sugary candy in different colours that children popped and loved.
REPLACEMENT Chocolates

Chitrahaar
Pre-cable couch potato's only access to Bollywood, every Wednesday.
REPLACEMENT Music channels on cable television

Gilli danda
Primitive cricket. Neighbour's ire, player's obsession.
REPLACEMENT Video games

Local store
Would stock everything from grocery to cosmetics, vegetables and cigarettes.
REPLACEMENT Malls and shopping complexes

Indian royalty
The kings and queens of yesteryear.
REPLACEMENT Political dynasties

Technicolour and cinemascope
Terms in Indian cinema used to lead viewers into believing Bollywood was technologically very advanced.
REPLACEMENT Multiplexes

Kitchen gardens
A plot of land at the back of the house where vegetables and herbs would grow to provide kitchen requirements.
REPLACEMENT Flats where one is lucky to have a verandah

Steam engines
A contraption that blew smoke and pulled trains. Would make a puffing sound and whistle.
REPLACEMENT Diesel and electric engines

Black and white television
A television that didn't allow people to see coloured images. Usually came in a wooden jacket with a sliding door.
REPLACEMENT Colour TV

Index