The pathayapura at Kayamkulam had an entrance and exit, generally kept closed, but when everyone congregated, we would conveniently leave the doors slightly open, to sneak in at our convenience. There was a high plinth to enter the room; whether you enter from the kitchen or the dining. The floor level was the same on both sides of the plinth, it also served as a wooden seat when Valiammachy churned buttermilk in the morning, and prevented free access for any of the usual creepy crawly.
I still remember the wooden doors and locks we called them saaksha (wooden lock), the ingenious locking mechanisms to keep intruders out were awesome. The wooden elements made the most gruesome sound while opening and closing. Later in my life when I came across the designing of security systems, the door contacts – the chime to notify opening of doors and windows. I was amazed, remembering the purposeful sound the saaksha made while opening and closing. We could not oil or grease like we could do to the door hinges, to stop the groan.
This sound alerted Valiappachen and Valiammachy of any one trespassing into the pathayapura to lay hands on the treasure cove of food. Valiammachy was a real ustaad, when it came to making any kind of food, she was a real angel from heaven in cooking. Every single dish of hers was a signature dish. Even though I have never been a fan of fried food, I can still feel the crunch of the coconut bits and the burnt caramelized frills of the neyyappam she made.
There weren’t any restriction on eating, but they were particular everyone gets a share of all the mouthwatering goodies that was made, when all the 8 children and their family congregated for any event. There were regimented measures to prevent any one person finishing any of the items in greed and leaving things open to attract pests and rodents. Till date I practice this very valuable lesson of sharing and making sure everyone gets a tiny morsel of everything that’s made or is available. (I know morsel is already small but I like to double up the morsel with tiny, like we say ichiripolum…..) I have never seen Valiammachy, Amma, Appa consume anything on their own without making sure there was enough for everyone at home, and someone who could pass by.
The best Hands On training, was cutting birthday cakes, making sure everyone gets a piece and till date there was never a time I didn’t give all, whether it’s family or office, whether it was 25 people or 1000 people.
At any given time there was enough food to feed an army!! I mean the will to feed any number of people, One great thing I experienced with both Amma and Valiammachy, was they never panicked or got intimidated by visitors who came in any number without notice. Our house used to be a meeting point for all who went to Gulf (Persia) in the 70’s and Valiammachy’s place was a stopover for a meal for all our friends and family who passed through NH47 south or north. We believed in giving what is available and cook what we know best and home food, and make sure Love is part of the whole process.
I am sure Amma learnt the system of provision procurement from her parents; I did mention once the long list and the bullock cart that brought the provisions from Kayamkulam Kambolam.
I continue the same trait, wherever I am, whichever country I travel to, when I know I will get an opportunity to cook, I carry a kit of basics, chilli powder, turmeric, garam masala all powdered at home, my kitchen knife, well I have a list I maintain. I maintain forms and lists for operations at home, in office and I make sure I pass to all in my team to continuously improve the same. I have enough provisions for a month in stock no matter which part of the world I am in.
Indian homes has a store with lock and key, our store was never locked, but the meat safe was, meat safe was a safe haven for all the heavenly goodies, cakes, biscuits, halwa, snacks etc. there was a key bunch in a steel ring, the coil was so hard to open to enter anything new. Amma used to tuck the key bunch and her heartbeat the Ventolin inhaler in her waist, the shock absorbers around her waist held it from falling off.
She hated surprises, encounter with an empty container, especially in front of visitors, we were always asked to report the items we feasted on. This is where I learnt the need to have a column for the minimum quantity for each item in my form for supply, demand and procurement.
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