Kapda wala

I am talking about that era when shopping was considered luxury. The era of 70's and 80's. People used to do shopping only on special occasions like marriage or some grand happenings in one's home or family.

  

My home wasn't limited to us four, (three sisters and a brother) father and mother. It was actually like  a dharmshala with  many people residing together. This included my cousins who came looking for job and stayed until they got one.Thus our home was filled with atleast 15 to 20 members. In those days there  would be only one breadwinner for the family, so, all the  responsibilities lied on him. So buying clothes etc was done solely as per the demand and as per one's need.In our home too, the scenario was same. My mother was a house wife with  many household responsibilities, thus she too avoided unnecessary expenses, unless, it's really that important. We used to get new clothes during Puja or on one's birthday.

 

Now coming to my title "Kapda wala." 

Actually these Kapda walas were those people, who used to carry "THHAN"( bundles of cloth )on  their back ,and a measurement stick in their hand, they would be selling their clothes from door to door. In those  days the lady of the house would hardly go out for her shopping needs, thus these Kapda Wala was a solace for small shopping needs of her, and moreover, he would give away clothes on credit too.  Hence this Kapda Wala used to come every month to sell his clothes  as well as to collect his dues. Through these visit of this Kapda wala, we used to get a view of different variety of clothes out in fashion. This was our window shopping. But as I said shopping was a luxury so buying something wasn't that easy. 

 

Now, it so happened that a function was commencing in our family and every members had to have new clothes and also to carry  gifts for others too. So my father asked my mother to do the shopping from the Kapda Wala. Amma asked us to choose our clothes,we four chose accordingly and left the room happily. The function was to happen in Kerela. We reached well in advance and was anxiously waiting for the D day to wear our clothes. The D day arrived with pomp and grandeur and we wore our new clothes and reached the venue and lol 😬what do we see!!  all my cousins were too in the same outfit🙄.

 

It was a sheer surprise for us all.My cousins and others who had moved out from our home and were staying independently, had given their new address to the  Kapada wala who visited them too.The witty Kapda Wala had given the same coloured and same pattern clothes from a "THHAN"to all, in order to cut his cost on any new "THHAN".

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Here we all were looking like a  Baraat Band in uniform 🤣🤣

This comic/ comedy of ours is discussed even today in our native place whenever any functions take place !!!!!!!!The Kapda wala though a boon was also a bane 😉

Pic courtesy Google images

Aaloo Raita

Aaloo Raita

Ingredients

1. Boiled potatoes 2

2. Green chillies 1

3. Curd 1 to 2 cups as per requirement

4. Roasted cummin and pepper powder

5. Kala namak or rock salt

6. Coriander leaves a few

Methods

Beat the curd nicely and keep in a bowl. Cut the boiled potatoes into very small cubes. Finely chop the green chillies and corainder leaves, keep aside. Now combine together the potatoes, finely chopped chillies,coriander leaves into the beaten curd add the salt, roasted cummin and pepper powder. Mix well. Keep it refrigerated, before serving. Your Aaloo Raita is ready to be served.

My Mom's delight

Hariyali Pulao
Ingredients
1. Basmati Rice   2 cups
2.  Ghee.                1/2 cup
3.  Green chillies. 4
4.  Pudina.              A bunch
5.  Coriander leaves A bunch
6. Green peas.         1 cup
7.  Cardamom green 2
8.  Cinnamon sticks. 1
9.  Clove. 1 tejpatta     1
10. Curd                 2 tablespoon
11. Salt to taste
12. Ginger garlic paste
13. Water.   3 cups
14. Fried onions 3.

Method

Wash and soak the rice for ten minutes strain in a strainer and keep aside. Grind

together all greens(ginger garlic, green chillies, coriander leaves and pudina leaves )alongwith curd in a mixture. Keep aside. Now grind the cloves, cardamom and cinnamon in a stone grinder. Grind coarsely. Heat a big pan with heavy bottom. Pour ghee add tejpatta, now add the strained rice and fry for ten minutes without breaking the rice, add green peas and fry for another five minutes. Now add the grind green masala and fry for another five minutes until it costs the rice well. Add three cups water and salt. Cook open on slow flame. Once half done add the ground gram masala (clove, cardamom, cinnamon).In the meanwhile cut three onions and fry until brown. When cooked add the fried onion on top before serving. Your Hariyali Pulao is ready to be served. Serve it with any raita of your choice. Best with Aloo raita.

Self clicked

Bolti Diwaarien

I still wonder how would the walls of a home relate to you??? It is a mirror of your memories.  Though lifeless,it is a book in itself. It has so many things to share  with you; it is a complete encyclopaedia to one's life journey. It's also a true witness to all the happening in one's home. It's has so many secrets which, only, it can reveal. So here is one such story which the wall of my home has witnessed. This is the wall of my home in Kolkata. I don't know what all it might have seen and was captivating. We were a family of six. Three sisters one brother mom and dad. A close nit family in the era of (sixties - seventies) who stayed in urban cities. My dad(Acchan) was a well educated man from the village who had taken up a prestigious job in Kolkata and as such he was a bada babu for the villagers who would have high hopes and aspirations for thier children too. Thus begins the transformation our close nit family and home into a Dharamshala. My father a udaaramanasu  (big hearted) will be pleased to serve everyone who ever comes to his door. One such incidents I  am jotting down here. A set of two brothers arrived one day to our house with a letter in hand from their dad. They were enquiring about my dad, since he was in office, we said he was not available at this moment. The innocent brothers rather I would say the innocence of village upbringing was so strong that they both said we will wait untill uncle comes back from office. So they were waiting but imagine how? They were literally standing near the sofa till evening. They dared sit on it. We politely asked them to take their seats but they won't do so. The height of respect was too much at that time I think. When my dad came back they touched his feet then with due permission they finally sat down. This incident was witnessed by the walls of our hall (sitting room) and it might still be holding so many such incidences. Will take you all once again sometime later.....