Can trees feel pain?
Wordless Wednesday
Wordless Wednesday
Open Sesame!
January is one of the greatest month’s foods wise. It is a period of plentiful colourful vegetables that are often available at bargain
prices but also because of Sankranti- a festival
celebrated across India albeit with different names in different states. So
whether it is Lori or Sankranti or Uttarayan or Bihu the vital ingredient of
the key preparations are Jaggery and Til (sesame).
prices but also because of Sankranti- a festival
celebrated across India albeit with different names in different states. So
whether it is Lori or Sankranti or Uttarayan or Bihu the vital ingredient of
the key preparations are Jaggery and Til (sesame).
Sesame sweets whether known as Revadi, Gajjak, Laddoos or Pitha are delightful. In Maharashtra we exchange Til laddoos always accompanied
by saying “तिळगुळ घ्या गोड बोला”
by saying “तिळगुळ घ्या गोड बोला”
(Accept this Til and Jaggery and speak sweetly!)
I am not really sure of its origins but it’s a sure fire
ice breaker and a good means to renew strained relationships. To facilitate
spreading bonhomie, the period from Sankranti day (usually 14 January) up to
Rathasaptami is considered auspicious for the same. Ladies are usually busy
with ‘Haldi Kumkums’ an occasion where each one can show-off her black saris. Usually a
no-no, black is a must, come Sankranti! Further we also have a tradition of
making jewellery out of halwa (balls made from sugar syrup and sesame seeds)
that is presented to a baby or at a bride’s first Sankranti.
ice breaker and a good means to renew strained relationships. To facilitate
spreading bonhomie, the period from Sankranti day (usually 14 January) up to
Rathasaptami is considered auspicious for the same. Ladies are usually busy
with ‘Haldi Kumkums’ an occasion where each one can show-off her black saris. Usually a
no-no, black is a must, come Sankranti! Further we also have a tradition of
making jewellery out of halwa (balls made from sugar syrup and sesame seeds)
that is presented to a baby or at a bride’s first Sankranti.
In Maharashtra we make ‘gul poli’. These are rotis
stuffed with jaggery. To many the concept of sweet rotis is strange yet one
bite of this crisp poli lathered with ghee is sure to remove all doubts. Now
don’t frown at the ghee, its essential; Sankranti is not the time to count
calories.
stuffed with jaggery. To many the concept of sweet rotis is strange yet one
bite of this crisp poli lathered with ghee is sure to remove all doubts. Now
don’t frown at the ghee, its essential; Sankranti is not the time to count
calories.
My first attempts to make gul polis were after I got
married. My ever-dependable guide to home style Marathi food is a book called
‘Ruchira’ written by Kamalabai Ogale. I mustered up courage and decided to make
these polis that are considered to be the mark of a chef. I roasted the besan
in oil, roasted and ground poppy seeds and added them to grated jaggery to make
the stuffing. With the firmly mixed dough I was ready to begin. It seemed
simple enough – roll two small circles of the dough, put a bit of stuffing on
one, cover with other circle, roll out, cut off edges and roast on medium
griddle.
married. My ever-dependable guide to home style Marathi food is a book called
‘Ruchira’ written by Kamalabai Ogale. I mustered up courage and decided to make
these polis that are considered to be the mark of a chef. I roasted the besan
in oil, roasted and ground poppy seeds and added them to grated jaggery to make
the stuffing. With the firmly mixed dough I was ready to begin. It seemed
simple enough – roll two small circles of the dough, put a bit of stuffing on
one, cover with other circle, roll out, cut off edges and roast on medium
griddle.
The first one turned out like a dream. Hooray! I basked
in the glory as my husband polished it off giving me the ultimate compliment-
that it tasted just like his Mom’s.
in the glory as my husband polished it off giving me the ultimate compliment-
that it tasted just like his Mom’s.
Mentally thanking Madam Ogale I got down to the task
ahead of me quite sure it would be a breeze. Alas, the celebrations had come
too early. The second one on the pan suddenly seemed to come alive as its
surface erupted into umpteen bubbles spewing steam and hot jaggery droplets. I
got the melting mass off the griddle and began afresh.
ahead of me quite sure it would be a breeze. Alas, the celebrations had come
too early. The second one on the pan suddenly seemed to come alive as its
surface erupted into umpteen bubbles spewing steam and hot jaggery droplets. I
got the melting mass off the griddle and began afresh.
Many melting moments and burnt fingers later I finally
got the process right and the last couple of polis were respectable again and
without the charcoal flavour that characterised most earlier attempts.
got the process right and the last couple of polis were respectable again and
without the charcoal flavour that characterised most earlier attempts.
Several years later, I still pull out my ‘Ruchira’ when
making Gul Polis. It’s now just a collection of pages – the binding having long
given up. I have not invested in a newer edition preferring to stand by this
proven model.
making Gul Polis. It’s now just a collection of pages – the binding having long
given up. I have not invested in a newer edition preferring to stand by this
proven model.
As for laddoos, a special type of jaggery is available in
Maharashtra in this period that is used specifically to make laddoos. The catch
in making these laddoos is to get the jaggery syrup to the correct consistency
else the final product ends up becoming rock hard. Trust me; my dental architecture
has suffered from its effects. Further they have to be rolled when the mixture
is hot but greasing your palms with oil or ghee will keep them from burning.
Maharashtra in this period that is used specifically to make laddoos. The catch
in making these laddoos is to get the jaggery syrup to the correct consistency
else the final product ends up becoming rock hard. Trust me; my dental architecture
has suffered from its effects. Further they have to be rolled when the mixture
is hot but greasing your palms with oil or ghee will keep them from burning.
My Mom-in-law’s recipe is excellent and more importantly
is tooth friendly! It goes like this: roast and grind equal quantities of
groundnuts and sesame (white or polished variety). Grate good quality jaggery
(same quantity as other ingredients). Take little of groundnut powder, sesame
seed powder and jaggery and grind together in a mixer. Ideally it should be
pounded in a mortar and pestle (preferably an iron one). Add cardamom powder
and ghee as required to the entire ground lot. Roll into balls.
is tooth friendly! It goes like this: roast and grind equal quantities of
groundnuts and sesame (white or polished variety). Grate good quality jaggery
(same quantity as other ingredients). Take little of groundnut powder, sesame
seed powder and jaggery and grind together in a mixer. Ideally it should be
pounded in a mortar and pestle (preferably an iron one). Add cardamom powder
and ghee as required to the entire ground lot. Roll into balls.
As the sun begins its northward journey let us hope that
Sankranti with its rich repertoire of sesame dishes opens the door to lasting
good health and peace for all of us!
Sankranti with its rich repertoire of sesame dishes opens the door to lasting
good health and peace for all of us!
This was first published in a now extinct site called 4indianwoman.com
Ticket Trauma
Sawai Gandharva
Bhimsen Mahotsava is a much awaited, annual musical
festival in Pune. It’s prestigious for the artists performing there but from my
experience getting tickets for the ‘chair’ can be something of a prestige as
well. Not for the money, no… The ‘sofa’ seats are priced much higher.
The reason is the efforts that go into
procuring the tickets. For some reason, tickets are only sold at a few select
outlets in Pune, and as of 2013 there is no online option for ticket sales.
procuring the tickets. For some reason, tickets are only sold at a few select
outlets in Pune, and as of 2013 there is no online option for ticket sales.
Seating is in three categories, ‘Bharatiya
baithak’ (sitting cross legged on the ground- usually covered with sheets)
‘Chairs’ and ‘Sofas’. These are in increasing order of prices.
baithak’ (sitting cross legged on the ground- usually covered with sheets)
‘Chairs’ and ‘Sofas’. These are in increasing order of prices.
Each sofa seats three people and those with well-lined
pockets may find it economical but the ‘source’ of these sofa tickets is a closely
guarded secret. Probably a single phone call suffices if you know whom to
contact. A decade in Pune yet I am totally in the dark about ‘getting’ sofa
tickets. Probably I need to change the social circles that I move around in…
pockets may find it economical but the ‘source’ of these sofa tickets is a closely
guarded secret. Probably a single phone call suffices if you know whom to
contact. A decade in Pune yet I am totally in the dark about ‘getting’ sofa
tickets. Probably I need to change the social circles that I move around in…
Tickets for Bharatiya baithak are freely
available and there is no space reserved for you by the organisers. It’s up to
you to reach the venue sufficiently early to spread your own ‘sheet’ thus
‘reserving’ that space for yourself and your group. The others can come in
later armed with bolsters, pillows, snacks, warm clothing, reading material, iPod, iPad,
knitting or whatever they need to enjoyably spend the following five hours of
that day.
available and there is no space reserved for you by the organisers. It’s up to
you to reach the venue sufficiently early to spread your own ‘sheet’ thus
‘reserving’ that space for yourself and your group. The others can come in
later armed with bolsters, pillows, snacks, warm clothing, reading material, iPod, iPad,
knitting or whatever they need to enjoyably spend the following five hours of
that day.
Now for the chairs.. Priced at Rs 2000 this
year, the season ticket entitles you to sit on a specific Chair for all four
days/five sessions. If you think you can stroll in post-breakfast at one of the
outlets to purchase a ticket then Good Luck to you! Let me narrate what
happened at one of the ticket outlets this year.
year, the season ticket entitles you to sit on a specific Chair for all four
days/five sessions. If you think you can stroll in post-breakfast at one of the
outlets to purchase a ticket then Good Luck to you! Let me narrate what
happened at one of the ticket outlets this year.
This store opens only at 9.30 AM and it’s a poor
idea to go there comfortably post-breakfast to buy your tickets. Since there
are a limited number of tickets to be sold, one can return empty handed after 11ish in the morning (we have faced this earlier). Enthusiasts gather there from the
wee hours itself to get the coveted tickets. We reached at 4 AM (it seemed an early enough
hour) but found ourselves to have been beaten by 9 others! Now remember what
seems like nine may be more because one person may stand in for two others who
come by later at a more human hour!
idea to go there comfortably post-breakfast to buy your tickets. Since there
are a limited number of tickets to be sold, one can return empty handed after 11ish in the morning (we have faced this earlier). Enthusiasts gather there from the
wee hours itself to get the coveted tickets. We reached at 4 AM (it seemed an early enough
hour) but found ourselves to have been beaten by 9 others! Now remember what
seems like nine may be more because one person may stand in for two others who
come by later at a more human hour!
As Sunrise approached the line slowly
became longer. Unluckily the tapris located nearby that would have provided
much needed chai were demolished just the previous day by the Anti-encroachment
squad.
The lucky ones had someone to ‘replace’ them so they could go home for tea and breakfast. Some had their domestic help reach the store 3 or 4AM and came themselves just as the TV reporters arrived! That was some timing!
By 7AM there were about 25-30 people and
healthy conversations ensued about merits of the performing artists. This is Pune and everyone has an opinion. The queue took the form of an amoeba that kept
changing its shape to accommodate the sweepers or the delivery vans to the
stores. All were hopeful and time passed quickly. We were quite sure this ‘shape’
would align itself into a proper single file come 9.30AM.
healthy conversations ensued about merits of the performing artists. This is Pune and everyone has an opinion. The queue took the form of an amoeba that kept
changing its shape to accommodate the sweepers or the delivery vans to the
stores. All were hopeful and time passed quickly. We were quite sure this ‘shape’
would align itself into a proper single file come 9.30AM.
As the golden hour approached, every incoming
vehicle or person was suspiciously viewed to be the one bringing the goods. Four hours had flown by but the last few minutes seemed to drag on… A
mini truck came by, it was surely too big to be carrying tickets?? Another
gentlemen came at about 9.15AM on a scooter with a huge bag – that seemed more likely
and he had a very official bearing as well. Minutes went by but he kept standing by his
vehicle. Our eyes followed his every move and then suddenly he took out packets
of Chivda and began counting them….
vehicle or person was suspiciously viewed to be the one bringing the goods. Four hours had flown by but the last few minutes seemed to drag on… A
mini truck came by, it was surely too big to be carrying tickets?? Another
gentlemen came at about 9.15AM on a scooter with a huge bag – that seemed more likely
and he had a very official bearing as well. Minutes went by but he kept standing by his
vehicle. Our eyes followed his every move and then suddenly he took out packets
of Chivda and began counting them….
The clock hands crept past 9.30 but the
shutters of the shop stayed firmly closed. Did the notice mean 9.30 AM on 05
Dec 2013 specifically? Someone noticed
that the shop had a rear entrance and some sounds could be heard from the
inside. Yeah! Word rapidly spread down the line (yes we were in a queue now) that
the store is about to open. After all this while, every second seemed like
hours now. Many minutes later the steel frame still stared at us.
shutters of the shop stayed firmly closed. Did the notice mean 9.30 AM on 05
Dec 2013 specifically? Someone noticed
that the shop had a rear entrance and some sounds could be heard from the
inside. Yeah! Word rapidly spread down the line (yes we were in a queue now) that
the store is about to open. After all this while, every second seemed like
hours now. Many minutes later the steel frame still stared at us.
By now there were about 60 odd people and
Murphy too had arrived!! The store owner came before us, apologised to say that he
had lost the store key and ‘could we please wait some more?’
Murphy too had arrived!! The store owner came before us, apologised to say that he
had lost the store key and ‘could we please wait some more?’
Even before these words were conveyed to the
last waiting person one of the early birds produced a key from his pocket “Is
it this one?”
last waiting person one of the early birds produced a key from his pocket “Is
it this one?”
The rattled owner gratefully took it and the
gentleman explained that he had found the key at the doorstep of the shop when
he reached there at night. Assuming it to belong to one of the owners he kept
it aiming to return it in the morning. The entire group heaved a palpable sigh
of relief!
gentleman explained that he had found the key at the doorstep of the shop when
he reached there at night. Assuming it to belong to one of the owners he kept
it aiming to return it in the morning. The entire group heaved a palpable sigh
of relief!
If it were not for this very honest gentleman our wait would have prolonged
further!
further!
The officials soon set up their stuff and
ticket sale proceeded rapidly. Just as it was our turn, two very old and frail ladies turned
up requesting to be given tickets out of turn citing senior citizen privileges.
When asked one of them said she wanted two tickets. No one had the heart to
turn down her request. Gratefully she went in and asked for four tickets!
Now would the second lady go in too?
ticket sale proceeded rapidly. Just as it was our turn, two very old and frail ladies turned
up requesting to be given tickets out of turn citing senior citizen privileges.
When asked one of them said she wanted two tickets. No one had the heart to
turn down her request. Gratefully she went in and asked for four tickets!
Now would the second lady go in too?
No, she did not, and the duo left thanking
every one… We got our tickets and returned home triumphant. There was only a
small stack of tickets to be sold and I hope everyone in the queue got what
they wanted.
every one… We got our tickets and returned home triumphant. There was only a
small stack of tickets to be sold and I hope everyone in the queue got what
they wanted.
I guess this too is a part of fully enjoying
the Sangeet Mahotsav!
the Sangeet Mahotsav!
Here is the link to the Mahotsav website: http://sawaigandharvabhimsenmahotsav.com/
But in this day and age, why can there not be a more user friendly method to sell tickets? If it already exists, then music lovers should be informed about it.
Agree?
Hibiscus
Its biggest claim to fame is Ganesha’s favourite flower.
This flower is also said to benefit hair health.
This flower is also said to benefit hair health.
Hibiscus or Jaswanda as it is called in Marathi grows profusely in and around Pune but it blooms only for a day. The fully grown buds of Hibiscus bloom after sunrise and shut in the
evening. By the time night falls, the buds are fully closed. While one can buy many types of flowers the Hibiscus and Prajakta are two flowers that are rarely sold in the markets. This can be a challenge for the devout as the buds need not necessarily bloom on the day of their Pooja. This may not always happen. So one commonly sees people straining to pluck buds from trees growing along compound walls as they return from their morning walks!
A relative told me a method to ‘trick’ the buds to delay their blooming. This way one can collect mature buds and get them to flower later than the day they would normally. My experiment aimed for a one-day delay but maybe it will work for two days as well. I’ll try that the next time I have a bigger harvest of mature buds and let you all know!!
Here is what I did and I have a set of photographs to show you how the bud/flower behaved.
On a particular day (lets call it Day minus 1) my Hibiscus had about five mature buds that were set to open the next day (lets call it Day 1). I wanted to use the flower on the day after that (to be called Day 2). Under normal circumstances, the buds would have all bloomed on Day 1 and I would have had no blooming flowers on Day 2.
I plucked the buds and kept two of them in the fridge on the evening on Day minus 1.
On Day 1, I took them out and let them stand in some water. The buds were still tightly closed, the other buds of the same ‘age’ had bloomed fully. I used them in my Pooja.
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| 1. Hibiscus buds were tightly closed after being kept ovenight in the fridge |
The petals opened slowly and I monitored their progress through Day 1. The photographs have been taken in the afternoon, late evening and night.
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| 2. About one hour outside the fridge. |
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| 3. Afternoon of Day 1. Petals start opening |
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| 4. Evening of Day 1: Partially open buds |
At end of Day 1, the other flowers had closed and these remained in the partially open state.
The buds stayed in water overnight in the room.
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| 5. Night Day 1. Partially opened flowers. (9.29PM) |
Day 2: The buds bloomed fully and stayed open for the entire day. The petals shut tightly as the end ended.
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| 6. Fully open flowers (5.40AM) |
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| 7. The flower of the previous day (Day 1) had closed. These flowers stayed fresh and fully open. (9.29AM) |
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| 8. Petals close in the evening. (6.09PM) |
This seems to suggest that the flowers can be ‘tricked’ into blooming later. Their overnight stay in the dark refrigerator must have worked.
While writing this post, I came across this article that offers tips to keep Hibiscus flowers open.
I do not know if we can keep the buds in the fridge for another day
so that they can bloom on Day 3. If any of you tries this, do let us
know.
Take care!
Update (07 Oct 2013): Recently I have seen Hibiscus flowers for sale but this is very very rare. In the meantime you can try my experiment…
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| Hibiscus flowers are not always sold in the market. |
Do we let traditional music forms die?
Its a veritable treat to watch them in action but it can
be auditory nightmare for some. Yes , I am referring to the Dhol pathaks that are a standard and now important feature of Ganeshutsav in Pune. Participants- both boys and girls each of whom plays either the dhol or
other percussion instrument they have practised for a couple of months come rain or sun. Dressed in simple attire and they walk the entire distance of the Ganesh immersion procession. They are totally possessed by their drum beats oblivious
to the vibrations of their drums and the high decibel beats that they create.
be auditory nightmare for some. Yes , I am referring to the Dhol pathaks that are a standard and now important feature of Ganeshutsav in Pune. Participants- both boys and girls each of whom plays either the dhol or
other percussion instrument they have practised for a couple of months come rain or sun. Dressed in simple attire and they walk the entire distance of the Ganesh immersion procession. They are totally possessed by their drum beats oblivious
to the vibrations of their drums and the high decibel beats that they create.
Yes, these Dhol pathaks are always in the news for the ‘noise pollution’ they create and less for the tradition they represent. The dailies devote almost equal space to articles and photos that ‘glorify’ these pathaks and articles that describe how ‘bad’ the dhol beats are for our ears, for the participants’ ears and indeed for our entire body. According to this article, a typical 28-inch dhol generates sound in the 3-4Hz and tasha in the 3-22Hz range (peaking at 11Hz). This Times of India article (published on 11 Sep 2013 in Pune) quotes audiologist Kalyani Mandke as saying “Long term exposure to these vibrations can affect a person’s circulatory and/or urological systems. The person playing the instrument is at highest risk, but people in its vicinity cannot escape its effects either.” Read it for more details about a study that describes ill effects of vibrations and frequencies on the human body.
Being a health professional, I understand the gravity of the situation. Just under an hour at a dhol practise venue left my ear drums in a protective ‘shut down’ for two hours. Some of the beats actually cause a wierd feeling in the chest (probably due to the vibrations mentioned in the above article).
Does that mean the ‘Dhol tasha’ are to be eliminated all together? Do we let this tradition die?
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| Dhol |
On another note, I would like to know if DJ’s also face similar health hazards? Or technicians who work near aircraft on runways? I have seen them use ear defenders at civilian airports and at military bases where we were posted. And what about people who work with heavy-duty drilling equipment?
Drums Circle is a new trend that is used for team building and stress relief and it has immense therapeutic value as well in differently abled children. Obviously the sound levels there must not be as high as created by the dhols.
Is it possible to use some kind of ear defenders that will afford some amount of protection and allow the dhol to be played in a safer manner? Instead of criticising and rejecting the dhol tasha, should we not try to find a golden mean? Ideas anyone??
Think rationally.
Preserve our heritage and culture and stay healthy!
Cheers!
The Dhol pathaks are here
Come August and every year the city starts reverberating to ‘dhol’ beat every evening especially along the bank of the River Mutha. And every year there is general outcry against high sound levels, protests from organisations, dire warnings from authorities etc but usually all these have only a limited effect. For the uninitiated ‘dhol’ is a traditional percussion instrument, drum as it were that is played in a group at festive occasions, processions etc. These preparations are for the Ganesh Utsav, that usually falls in sometime in September, which is the prime showcase for the dhol pathak.
This year I had an opportunity to visit one group during their practise sessions. As I mentioned earlier, training begins at least a month before Ganesh Utsav. People from all walks of life get together each evening for about four hours of practise. The Raja Mantri Path in Pune has several groups practising simultaneously which can be troublesome for people living close by. I spent just under an hour there and my ear drums went into a defensive shutdown that lasted for over two hours thereafter! The groups seemed to be well organised and disciplined. The air reverberated with different beats that grew louder as we approached the practise area.
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| A Dhol pathak during the 2012 Ganesh visarjan procession, this image taken on Laxmi Road. |
Practise was on full swing and they did not stop for even a minute for the period we stood there. They obviously forcefully struck the stick on the dhol but the beats seemed to invigorate them rather than tire. The group seemed to follow an apparently invisible command set by the leader (invisible to outsiders) as they smoothly changed their strokes. That’s great team effort!
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| I wonder if this image conveys the speed and force with which the dhol players strike the drums… |
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| Dhol |
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| The group practises |
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| Participants come straight from work, college to practise |
I tried carrying the instrument and it seemed to weigh about 5 kgs, which is not much considering its size. It is carried strapped around the waist and a stick called “Tippru” is used to strike one side of the dhol. The other side is struck with the palm of the hand. Girls/women use a slighlty smaller dhol but there is not much of a difference I am told. Smaller drums called ‘tasha’ are also part of the troupe along with big dhols. The entire group plays together to create memerising catchy unforgettable rhythms. An average pathak can have 40-60 people.
Vidyesh has come to Pune all the way from Nagpur just to participate. He has had an amazing experience so far and given a chance would like to come again next year! He says, “Yes the practise is tiring but when we play at full power and full rhythm the pleasure acts as a pain killer!” They use cotton balls to protect their ears he said but after a while they get used to the sound.
Its people like Vidyesh and the many others like him who manage to juggle time with their jobs who are helping keep this traditional art form alive and flourishing. This Ganeshutsav, do go out and enjoy the processions especially the foot tapping,decibel defying dhol!
Cheers!
May is for Mangoes
May. The month that every one dreads for intense searing heat, blazing sunshine. It is also the month that mangoes are at their peak. While mangoes are available in India right from the month of March, I firmly believer that they taste their best only in May. The heat allows them to ripen naturally and their colour and flavour is best enhanced in these conditions. It is often called the King of Fruits.
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| Lovely ripe mangos fill the air with their intoxicatingly sweet fragrance that is sure to tempt passerbys to buy them. |
It is widely known that fruit that is available in earlier months may be artificially ripened using various techniques. That obviously prevents the real flavour from developing. Reports state that Carbide is often used to ripen mangoes. Since they are available much before their natural ripenening period, they are obviously very costly and yet do not taste like the real thing.
So how do we know?
- First and foremost, one must inspect the fruit before buying it. Check the area of the stalk. My regular mango vendor has told me that fruit where this portion (around the stalk) is raised has been plucked early from the tree. That prevents it from developing its full flavour on the tree which is a must.
- In additon also check the curve of the fruit. The curve must be gentle and not a deep depression. The image I have added here will better explain what I have just said.
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| Check the curve on the mango. It must be a gentle curve and not a deep depression |
- Check the skin for any obvious marks that suggest application of any powders etc. This article mentions that mango’s ripened with carbide have a uniform yellow colour. Such fruit are not ripe on the inside and is not sweet. Here is a link that describes how to detect a carbide-ripened mango. Hold a lit match stick near the mango surface. If it gives out sparks or catches fire then its quite likely to have been ripened using calcium carbide.
There are still few more days for the Alphonso season. Thereafter there are many other varieties each with it a unique flavour. Try them and continue to enjoy the fruit at its natural peak season.
Enjoy!
Main Street
MG Road in Pune is not what it used to be. In its halycon days it was the place for high end shopping, the road for the classes (not masses) to shop in. The advent of the mall culture has eroded its illustrious status and slowly but surely it has lost its position as the premier shopping destination in the city.
Popularly called “Main Street” it retains its olde world charm, as almost all establishments take the mandatory Puneri afternoon siesta… Malls or not, these shops are shut every afternoon and the weekly off continues to be Sunday instead of Monday like most other shops in the city. Some of the shops will take you back in time to the British era with their quaint wooden panelling, wooden steps and decor of an age gone by.
Marzorin is one such cafe (if we can call it so) housed in a building that can easily be from the last century. Its biggest claim to fame are its sandwiches.While I dont much relish their mayonnaise, there are those who will sing its praises. What I love best are their macaroons- the almond ones. Buying those had become an annual ritual for us when we came from our distant bases. Their taste is unchanged over the years but size certainly has reduced.
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| Enjoy the view on the bustling street |
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| Almond macaroons |
Marzorin is a great place to just sit down and soak in the atmosphere of this road. The Pasteur bakery next door also offers reasonably priced cakes but if you are looking for exclusive gourment stuff, you better look elsewhere. Budhani located just across the street shows is known far and wide for its Batata chivda (a savoury snack made from fried potato strips). These are just a few places on a foodie trail on the Main Street- one that demands you to first tear up your calorie chart!
Cheers!
Eco Friendly Ganesh Idols
While there is general increase in ‘green’ activists their voices are most markedly heard prior to and during Ganesh Utsav- especially in Pune. The reason obviously is that the idols (usually made of ‘shadu‘ – river mud) and the nirmalya (flowers and other offerings made to the God) have to be immersed in water. Though Pune is proud to have not one but two rivers that flow through it, they have dams built upstream to provide water for the burgeoning city and irrigation. Hence the rivers usually are a little better than a trickle of murky stinking water or at times covered with Hyacinth. The authorities usually let off extra water into the river from the dam at the time of Ganesh Visarjan.
People are urged to avoid idols made of plaster of Paris, instead use idols made of shadu that are supposed to dissolve easily once immersed. There are workshops galore wherein people make and then worship their own shadu idol. On Visarjan day, the authorities and activists urge people to immerse idols in specially erected ponds/tanks so as to protect the river.
Yet I am not sure that only using shadu idols is sufficient to overcome the challenges. Even if the idols do dissolve as they are meant to, who manages
the piles of shadu that now collect in these ponds and how? Can our river take this additional load? The PMC is already struggling to deal with garbage generated by the city.
Is there any other
option?
This Times of India article mentions that 14516 idols were immersed in artificial ponds on the final day at 14 spots in Pune alone and the SWaCH has collected 90 tonnes of nirmalya. I am not sure if these figures include immersions made on the prior days and those actually put into the river. Yet the figure seems miniscule considering Pune’s population of several lakhs. The nirmalya can be composted but what about the idols? This is an extremely disturbing article in the Pune Mirror that describes how idols were thrown into the river from the ponds under cover of darkness.
While the scriptures mandate an idol made out of mud, the current conditions force one to think. Is there any way in which individuals can take care of their idols from home itself after the Uttar Pooja instead of depending on the local authorities?
Here are a few ideas and I have provided links to published articles where ever possible:
- Immerse the shadu idol at home itself in a bucket. Once dissolved, the mud can be gradually added to plant pots at home.
- Use an idol made of Alum that will purify the water as it dissolves. Mr Ramesh Kher from
Pune thought about making an idol out of alum which was sculpted by artist Vinod Kamble. What a wonderful idea!! Read
about it here – published in Jagran City Plus. - Use an idol made out of metal (silver or panch-dhatu). A symbolic immersion can be done at home and the idol reused the next year. I am not sure if this is acceptable under the religious texts but some people are known to do so.
- Fashion an idol out of grains. They can possibly be later consumed as Prasad. Other food products can be used as well. Read this article in Times of India. It describes many other types of innovative Ganesh murti. One that struck me most was drawn on a wall and washed off with coconut water.
Any more ideas?
Pessimists may well ask if one family (one idol) can make any difference at all. But surely every bit counts and the success of this effort can inspire others…
Think about it..
Archana