Twentieth Century Bheem

Mustafa Volli was a humble looking silent ex-serviceman staff in our bank who resembled Boris Becker. He lived in a joint family house on Ansari Road. Was an unassuming guy.

He had a peculiar habit. Going to the toilet soon after the bank hours are over at 5.00pm! Perhaps he didn't have the comfort of western toilet at his home. That's why.

One evening, he went to the toilet and slightly dozed off while sitting on the commode. The attender Krishna is a super fast guy who moved like mercury and did his job like clockwork! He as usual inspected the toilet area but forgot to find out if anyone's in. That's how Mustafa got trapped inside the Bank premises!

That's not all. Mustafa opened his eyes at little time past Six and when he came out of the toilet, he was shocked to see the common door was locked! He gazed at the glass panel on the big ventilator without a grill and thought of breaking it but he also knew that outside the window is a direct drop almost 30 feet below and he may end up with fractured skull or limbs if he tried to jump out!

He also thought of breaking open the common door but he knew about the burglar alarm fixed on that door. In case police arrived at the spot and caught him he'd be facing charges for a break in attempt.

His Air Force training had made him strong like a man of steel and he had maintained that even at his late Fifties. So, his next idea was to try escape through the toilet ventilator.

Again, his knowledge of carpentry came in handy and he knew that ventilator rods have holes with extra length on one side. He used all his skills and force to move and bend the two rods and make a gap for a man to pass through the ventilator. Climbed over the commode and the flush tank, slowly lowered his legs on the other side, facing the inside of the toilet. He then held the frame of the ventilator to hang on to and yet, there was a gap of 1 foot almost between his feet and the cornice outside. If he made a small mistake, he'd fall down 25-30 feet into a narrow lane, breaking his bones!

He made up his mind and let go of the ventilator frame and landed on the cornice! Then he slowly moved inch by inch sideways, hugging the wall like Spiderman and reached the corner. Moved to the other side and luckily he found a ladder placed by the painters against the wall and scaled down to reach the narrow lane below. That lane led to the back door of the wholesale grocery shop Dhanalaxmi Traders, which is right in front of the building. He entered through that door and reached the godown of the shop. Nobody was in there. It was almost 6:30pm when he did all this. Then he waited for 5 minutes when a porter came and took a bag of rice on his head. Mustafa casually followed that porter and came out into the shop but none of the owners and other people paid attention to him, as they knew him well!

After reaching home, he called another colleague GV Bhat and informed him what happened. He did that because the next day Bank Manager should not suspect a robbery attempt and call the police, who may take finger prints, do interrogation and take him to task!

All ended well for Mustafa Volli and we all cheered thrice to commend his act of bravery and I called him Twentieth Century Bheem!

Hypnotism

Pic source: http://flickrhivemind.net/Tags/kaa,mowgli/Interesting

Disclaimer:
This is not to prove that Hypnotism is fake or those who practise it indulge in match fixing. This is only to show that personal loyalty, integrity, determination, strong will power and endurance can be more effective than being in a state of hypnosis.

Introduction:
One can remember how Kaa the snake in Jungle Book story tries to hypnotise Mowgli the boy and enslaves him!

Hypnotism was very much popular in the Early Seventies. Here in Mangalore, Prof. Din Coly had demonstrated Hypnotism in his shows at Town Hall. My brother was in Mysore Medical College then and he learned Hypnotism by reading books and watching others perform. Late Din Pai was also into Hypnotism then, and both my brother and Pai were friends. Narendra Nayak also was an enthusiast demonstrating Hypnotism those days.

Introduction:
Hypnotism was very much popular in the Early Seventies. Here in Mangalore, Prof. Din Coly had demonstrated Hypnotism in his shows at Town Hall. My brother was in Mysore Medical College then and he learned Hypnotism by reading books and watching others perform. Late Din Pai was also into Hypnotism then, and both my brother and Pai were friends. Narendra Nayak also was an enthusiast demonstrating Hypnotism those days.

Experience No. 1

Narendra Nayak held shows mostly at Pompei School Hall(St Aloysius School Urva) and I attended one such show at Pompei School. I also sold tickets for Narendra Nayak's shows since he was a good friend.

Narendra first explained to the audience, the scientific background of Hypnosis and its uses in curing certain psychological disorders. He then did a mock demonstration with a sample subject on stage. Finally he called a few people from the audience and demonstrated real hynotism.

That part was rather funny due to the presence of Narendra's youngest brother Surendra among the people participated. When Narendra mesmerised those on the dais with his catch words "Sleep! Deep sleep sound sleep...!", Surendra was quick to respond and others took some time.

I then started to get a doubt that Surendra was acting as if he's being mesmerised, to show the spectators that his brother  a powerful Hypnotist!

Then Narendra gave command to each one of them to perform certain duty and Surendra was made to act like Shammi Kapoor, supposed to be his

favourite actor. Surendra jumped and danced like Shammi Kapoor, tilting and nodding his head just like him! Then all others played the roles of their choice and were asked to relax in their chairs.

Then Narendra flicked his fingers and shouted "SLEEP!"

Surendra fell off his chair and started snoring! At this point, Naredndra also was convinced that Surendra is acting, and he disqualified him and sent him back to audience. Surendra walked like a zombie and sat in the front row.

Narendra repeated the show with the remaining ones on stage performing in different roles and then again shouted "SLEEP".

This time, it was rather unexpected, but Surendra fell off the chair on which he's sitting in the audience. He also started snoring aloud!

Then Narendra either got convinced that Surendra was indeed mesmerised or he didn't want further embarrassment by his brother's overacting.

He called him back on stage and ordered him to perform something else than being Shammi Kapoor and Surendra did it well!

Experience No. 2

Same year, my Medico brother was home on a long vacation.

He wanted to show his talent as Hypnotist and he announced that in the afternoon he will demonstrate Hypnotism in our Radio Room and all the neighbourhood boys were supposed to be present.

Around 6-8 boys including me and my elder brother were present. My brother asked a volunteer to come forward. I went forward and he started the usual commands like swinging a key chain and asking me to concentrate on it, saying in soft tone that slowly my limbs, my eyes and my whole body feels numb and then I will go into a different world in my sleep. He then said "Sleep" and I closed my eyes, leaned on the folding chair with my head rested on my shoulder like we sleep in a bus!

Then he asked me to cry like a baby, laugh like a hyena, roar like a lion, act like a monkey and what he did next, is very interesting!

He asked my elder brother to get some small round root vegetable 'Arvi'(Aalva Maande we call that in Konkani) and he got them intact, unwashed, with mud sticking to them! I was slightly worried now about what will happen if I am told to eat them!

My expectation was not wrong. He did exactly like I thought and he said "Now I have these delicious juicy world famous apples from Kullu Valley. You just enjoy eating them!"

Omigosh! Kullu Valley apples...these arvi root bulbs! That too with heaps of mud! I thought I'd quit and say I'm very much alert and not at all in a stupor, but my priority was to save my brother from embarrassment in the eyes of our friends who had high regard for him! They may lose faith in him forever and all the good things he'd done mnay go wasted!

I was determined, and I ate two of them at a go, hurriedly biting and chewing them, feeling irritation in my throat and the sandy taste of mud as I chewed them but I didn't stop. I ate them both completely and laughed happily, though inside me I was crying silently!

They all clapped and approved "Bhayankara mhaaraaya! Aagabahudu!"(Amazing man! Really great)

I thought he will stop at that and end the session, so that I can run to the toilet and puke all that muddy crap and feel good. He went further and said "Now this is the last and final feat for today. For that I want a volunteer, heaviest and strongest among you all."

Balu came forward. He was well built and strong, at least 60 Kilos at his age of 12! I was watching with half my eyes closed and thought,

"Today is my last day, I'll be told to wrestle/do boxing with Balu, he will give a few solid ones and I'll bleed to death for sure!"

My brother smiled and said "I will demonstrate steel body! Yes. A human being with body as strong as Bhilai Steel! Now this man will sleep facing up, on two folding chairs placed opposite to each other with a space in the middle. When I give him command, his body will become stiff and strong as steel. Then Balu will stand on his stomach for 1 minute to show that this is not fake!"

I started to curse my luck for being born in that household and also thought, it would've been more convenient, if I were born elder to my brother testing me like a guinea pig with so called Hypnotism and all that nonsense!"

Yet, my loyalty, my integrity, my dedication, my determination...these overpowered my weakness and I at that moment thought, "Anyway this is the last part of the program. Let me withstand this torture as well!"

I was adept at adjusting according to circumstanes and I had a knack of passing through any calamity without uttering a word. I inherited this unique quality from both my parents who were mentally strong as long as they lived!

They placed two metallic folding chairs opposite to one another, I was told to lie down on them with my legs on one and my shoulders on the other with almost 2 feet of my torso hanging loose!

"Now you will feel like tempered steel sheet from Bhilai plant. You can withstand 5 Tonnes of load on your body! Keep stiff. Keep still!"

I tightened the stomach muscles as much as I could, held my breath, made my body stiff and waited.

Balu climbed on a stool kept next to my tummy, set his first foot on my belly, tested if it is firm, two boys held his hand to support, then he set his other foot as well and stood on my belly. My abdominal muscles were stiff but Balu was moving with a swinging action like tight rope walkers swing in a circus. I didn't feel any pain in my tummy surprisingly and I could bear his weight for slightly more than a minute without breathing even! My face flushed with blood rushing in my veins and I thought my brain will explode, but then Balu was asked to get off my stomach and I was set free!

I was alive! Yes. If I were not alive that day, I'd not have shared that incidence with you all today!

My throat irritation persisted for 2 days in spite of gargling with hot salt water or consuming Incidal tablets. I can still remember the pungent taste of raw arvi with its rough skin coated with mud even today!

Thankfully my brother discontinued hypnotism after that, and I was spared from getting dejected in life.

Budding Artist

Prologue:
Being born to a talented father, we all brothers and sister had great affinity for art. We are all born artists, often drawing sketches or painting pictures during our childhood and growing up days. I was mostly fascinated by buses, lorries, animals and birds and I used to sketch anything that I found interesting. I also used to draw movie posters and banners, especially Hollywood movies. Dracula movies were my most favourite, and Christopher Lee was my most favourite actor as Count Dracula. His eyes, his gestures and his appearances suddenly in the movies, grabbing his victims and biting their necks to suck blood was always some scene that I used to dream at odd moments. One such moment was, when I attended the classes of Sunny Tharappan, our English lecturer in PUC, in St Aloysius College.

It was autumn of 1973, I was in Second year PUC and Sunny was narrating a scene from the non-detailed text Pickwick Papers. He was a very good lecturer, very handsome like Franco Nero the Spaghetti Western hero, and his voice was quite masculine with good command over the language, laced with slight Malayalee accent. Our classroom was on the left wing back corner of the College Building adjacent to the Chapel.

I was sitting in the middle of the third row on the left, Aravind Thodar my close friend was sitting on my right. I was sketching Count Dracula biting the neck of a victim girl as seen in the movie 'Dracula Has Risen From The Grave'. Aravind was fascinated and he was observing the sketch keenly.

Suddenly Sunny stopped his lecture, stared at me and asked me "Can I have a second with you gentleman? Can you please bring that book in which you were drawing something, something that you were so engrossed in, something fascinating?"

I had closed the book by then, and I stood up, showing surprise on my face and said "No Sir! I wasn't drawing anything!"

"Aah! He wasn't drawing anything, but I am imagining things! Now will you please bring that book over here and show the class what you were upto?"

I felt nervous, my heart beating fast and my limbs shivering! I took the book to Sunny and handed it over to him and stood silently.

Sunny flipped the pages and found the Dracula sketch. He opened the book wide and showed the class the sketch and said aloud - "Look at this! We have a budding artist, a Picasso, a Van Gogh, a Da Vinci.....among us! If this man can improve his abilities, he will reach the level of such great artists soon!"

He turned aside and told me "My friend, you are a good artist, I can see that very well in your masterpiece here. Now get out of the class, make 100 sketches like this and then come back. Till then you're not allowed to attend my lecture classes."

I pleaded, "Sorry Sir, my mistake. Shall never repeat it. Please allow me to continue in the class."

"Oh no! I should encourage you to become a better artist, so that your dream is fulfilled. So please don't come back till you make 100 of these."

I silently packed my books and left the class!

"What next? What am I going to do? I will miss the classes and above that this imposition to make 100 of those sketches!" That thought bugged my mind and I went straight to the library, took a seat and kept worrying till the lecture period was over and the bell rang. Aravind came running hurriedly and expressed his sadness over my plight. He said it was his fault that he smiled as he watched me draw that sketch.

I said it's not his fault, but mine, since I was trying to darken the lines on Dracula's features by which Sunny could see the sketch from a distance, in spite of me covering it up with my left hand!

The next day, I waited outside English classroom in the afternoon for Sunny to arrive. He came on the dot and smiled at me. I said "Sir, can I come to the class? I am truly sorry that I did that mistake. It will never happen again Sir!"

Sunny continued to smile and said 'Please complete the job I gave you and then enter the class. How many did you draw by the way?"

I said none, and that I can't concentrate on it, as I felt very guilty and off mood. He didn't show any mercy. He was firm in his decision and said I can take my own sweet time to complete the job, that is drawing 100 of those sketches!

I felt totally dejected and also started to feel shirty. My respect for Sunny was slowly fading and I was fuming with rage! I went straight to the library and started drawing those pictures of Dracula and his victim!

Next day I was suggested by Aravind to meet Sunny in the staff room and apologise there, so that he may show some mercy on me. I initially agreed, but as I went near the staff room, my self respect stopped me from becoming too humble and bow to him. I also had the fear of being insulted in front of other lecturers. I came back to the library and started drawing more sketches. By the time that day's class was over and the bell rang, I had completed 50 of those sketches. Some of my closest classmates, Aravind, Naresh, Sathish, Yashwanth and Umesh surrounded me and they adviced me convincingly that I should not waste more time like that, as Sunny was not a bad guy. He was straight forward and firm in his decisions but he also was a good human being. He had soft corner for me but my carelessness in the class upset him deeply. Otherwise he'd not have imposed that punishment over me!

I too got soft on my rigid stand and decided to try a last chance during the next day's class. I went to the classroom and stood outside as usual with the book and as soon as Sunny appeared, I opened the book and showed him the sketches. He smiled and went through them, counted one, two three upto 50, lifted his head and asked me "Only 50? Where are the other 50?"

I was silent. I stared at the floor and didn't say a word.

"Are you frustrated? Tired? You gave up so fast?"

I replied with trembling voice "Sir, I know drawing 100 of these sketches won't make me a better artist but that will make me lose interest in your classes. English is my most favourite language Sir. Please don't do this to me. I may lose interest forever and fail in my final exam! I am sorry and I can't say further."

Sunny nodded his head and waved his index finger, allowing me to enter the class again. The entire batch of students applauded and cheered as I went and occupied the third bench, my usual place in the class!

In the final exam, I scored 68/100 as against the highest marks in our class, 72.

Epilogue:
Three years after completing PUC, I met Sunny Tharappan in 1977 at Don Bosco Hall where Dr Abraham Kovoor's lecture was arranged by the South Kanara Rationalist Association of which I was an active member. I was looking different then with a well defined moustache and hippie hair style. Sunny couldn't recognise me first when I said "Good Evening Sir". Then I reminded him of the imposition he gave, the Dracula sketch and the full episode! He had a hearty laugh and asked me if I was seriously pursuing art.

I said I stopped it in PUC after that episode.

Twist of Taste With Vikas Khanna - How It Happened

Prologue

It was end of August 2013. One evening, I got a call from Nikhil Pai, founder of The Three Hungry Men(Restaurant guides), asking me if I am interested in taking up a job. He said, a TV channel Fox Traveller is going to shoot the episodes of a cookery show with Master Chef Vikas Khanna in Mangalore and the coastal Karnataka upto Kundapur. The media company wanted Food Bloggers to assist them in the job with info, recipes and going around the places with them during the video shoot. he said they may cover the places in three days and I must make myself free those three days, if I am interested. I didn't think twice, and said OK. He also added that one Shruti Rao will contact me over phone and he shall pass on my mobile number to her.

I waited for a week, and then I got a call from Shruti Rao. She spoke clearly and said she's from a media company OML(Only Much Louder) that is handling the media coverage for the show Twist of Taste with Vikas Khanna to be aired on Fox Traveller Channel. She added that they want to find out some places in and around Mangalore where they can cover a few local specialties. Food Bloggers will be of help since they already have the knowledge of these things.

September 12, 2013. Shruti mailed me that they will be arriving in Mangalore on September 14. She forwarded me the itinerary and informed me that she's arriving from Mumbai in the afternoon. I replied her, saying I'll make myself free during their visit and we can discuss about everything when she came to Mangalore in person. She sent a list of activities they'd take up in Mangalore including hunting for a few local items and ingredients like Malabar Spinach and Rose Cookies. She also mentioned that they will be covering the episodes with Mangalore Banana Halwa, Kori Rotti and Byari Biryani. For that, they wanted to fix an appointmernt with restaurants/households that prepare those items.

Without doubt, the famous Banana Halwa of Taj Mahal was in their mind, as they were already guided by one Chef Kamath having chain of restaurants in Mumbai about that, and Kamath was a friend of Colin D'Souza, Nikhil Pai's partner in The Three Hungry Men. Kamath was also responsible for guiding Michael Swamy, Michelin Starred Chef and food designer to cover these specialties of Mangalore. Slowly I started getting a clear picture. I promised Shruti that I will assist them in whatever way they expect me to, for I am a foodie a blogger, a freelance journalist and also a Multimedia professional. Besides, I had experience working with Rediffusion Y&R ad Team from Mumbai in Goa as brand ambassador, for Tata Nano ad photo shoot and radio recording in early November 2010. I knew much about the technical aspects of video documentaries and my 35 plus years of experience in cooking made me well versed with most of the local curries, their history, ingredients and also the best places to eat Mangalorean food! I asked her to give me a ring, once she landed in Mangalore and when she's free to meet me. In my reply, I also added that Taj Mahal owners were my cousins and I can assist the team in contacting them and fixing appointments for the shooting schedule.

Initial Contact
September 14, 2013, 4:30PM. I was away on some personal work when my mobile phone rang. It was Nikhil Pai and he asked me what time will it be convenient for me to meet Shruti and the Senior Manager from OML I told him, anytime after 5:00PM, as I was outside on some work till then. Shruti spoke to me and said they will be coming to my home and discuss the matter, if it's all the same. They were expected to visit me after 6:00PM. I said fine.

Little after 6:30PM Nikhil came with Colin, Shruti and one Pintoo who was the senior manager with OML, in charge of operations. We had a lengthy discussion and both Shruti and Pintoo seemed to be quite relaxed when they found out that I had the stuff within me that they were looking for. They said, they will be shooting sometime in October second week and Kori Rotti episode can be shot in our home. I assured them that I can find some lady bloggers who can be hosts for the show, but they said they were not after glamour, but they wanted to shoot it like a reality show. The episode had Kori Rotti that will be served to Vikas in our home, him explaining about it and then shifting the scene to studio kitchen where he will demonstrate the twist, making his own innovation based on Kori Rotti. Hence they said, I can act in that episode and that came as a real surprise for me, who had the least idea that I'd act with such a celebrity Master Chef Vikas Khanna!

Next day was a Sunday and early morning, I took Shruti and Pintoo around, showing them 3 different markets including Car Street Flower Market, Central Market and Urva Market, hunting for Malabar Spinach. I also took them to different Bakeries but we couldn't find the Rose Cookies anywhere. Shruti and Pintoo also examined our home during daylight and Shruti also took my brief video and pics to show their director. Shruti said, they had already met Sudarshan of Taj Mahal Cafe and discussed about Banana Halwa episode. I met Sudarshan and Kudpi Jagadish Shenoy later, and followed up the matter. I also told them that I was in contact with the OML team and shall keep them updated about the exact dates of probable shooting.

Confirmation
Days went by, and then came October. On October 4, Shruti mailed me and confirmed that the shooting schedule was fixed for October 16 and the crew would be arriving on the 14th. They wanted to see our home and check the spots for shooting, lighting and other technical aspects. The episode would be shot first at a Kori Rotti making unit where I'll show Vikas how the rotti is made, and then shift to our home where Vikas will dine with us. My wife Meena was to show the Kori Ghasi made at home giving it the finishing touches and then serve that to me and Vikas. It sounded like a cakewalk for me! I assured her that we shall prepare the dish at home, since Meena was an expert in making Kori Ghasi and Chicken Sukkha with her experience of cooking those for the last 24 years. I mentioned about my signature dish 'Chicken Kubera' and she said I can include that also in the menu and Vikas would be fascinated to taste it. Then things seemed to move fast and I was sure that indeed I shall be one of the few fortunate ones to work with Vikas on a TV show!

We at home, then started to discuss about how we are going to arrange things. Meena was briefed by me about how we shall be going about it, what all she should take care of, and also that the shooting maybe inside the home, in our kitchen cum diner. I prepared my own script for the show with my own dialogues and also purchased the white lungi, a white half kurta and a shawl to look like a typical Mangalorean Bunt!

In between, Nikhil called me and asked me if I can suggest a canteen like setup where The Three Hungry Men will have an episode with Vikas, highlighting Mangalore Buns by way of 'Buns Eating Hogathon'. He said, they were not able to find a suitable place, and were running out of time. I assured Nikhil that I'll come out with something. Then it flashed to my mind, that Kusum Caterers have a restaurant in Lower Car Street that's more like a canteen. They also have buns and other items prepared in the evenings. I knew Shailesh Bhat, owner of Kusum caterers personally and I took Nikhil along with, to Shailesh and discussed the matter. Since The Three Hungry Men's episode was scheduled for 23rd morning, Shailesh had some doubts about being free. I compelled him and told him that working with Vikas Khanna on the episode will be a big booster for all Mangaloreans, and he should think positively about allowing that to happen in his premises. He agreed and said they will let out the premises till 10:30AM and after that they have to start serving lunch to their regular customers. We said OK.

Nikhil and  Colin with Shruti and Mughda

Priliminary Survey by The Team
We waited but were no signs of the OML team arriving on October 14. I called Nikhil and asked him what's up. He said he will call Shruti and find out about it. He then called back and said the team got stuck in Goa due to rains and may come here after completing the shooting there. Finally they arrived on the 18th of October and Shruti called me two days before that and said my episode will be on October 22. The technical crew will inspect our home on 19th and the Chef from Michael Swamy will discuss with me about our presentation.

Outside Kusum restaurant, Lower Car Street

They came home on the 18th evening with Mughda Savkar who is Michael Swamy's partner, held a meeting and Mughda briefed me about our role, mine and Meena's. The next afternoon they came with the technicians and inspected the spots within the home, choosing our car porch as most ideal to shoot the episode. They also told me not to wear white kurta, as that may cast a glare on the video. I was allowed to wear maroon shirt, which was evidently my favourite one, the one that I also wore during the Tata Nano photo shoot in Goa in 2010. They told me, all dialogues should be casual and without any forced accent. We were not allowed to wear any makeup, since the show was more like a reality show. They said, early 22nd morning some people will be at our home arranging the dining table and things, I should be ready at 11:00AM so that after shooting at Taj mahal cafe in the morning, they will pick me up and take me to Baikampady to the Food Pearls owned Gyp Gyp Gy Kori Rotti unit where I will be meeting Vikas for the first time during the opening shot itself!

Inspection inside Kusum restaurant

On the other hand, they also met Shailesh Bhat of Kusum caterers and discussed about the buns episode. He also gave green signal to them and all went well. Technical team inspected the place and discussed about the setting and lighting there.

Moment of Truth
October 22, 2013. I dressed up, groomed up and got ready by 10:30AM. Shruti came to pick me up and we moved towards Baikampady. On the way Shruti took my signature on the 'No Objection Letter'. At Panambur, we met Nikhil and Colin near Nikhil's petrol pump and proceeded toward Baikampady Industrial area. Shooting schedule at Baikampady started well after 1:30PM when Vikas arrived with others after completing the Taj Mahal episode. He smiled at me and I returned smile. We both didn't speak to each other, though he tried to strike a conversation with me, and I was grim. He laughed heartily and met people around, exchanging greetings. I remembered each word told by Shruti and Mughda that Vikas will be very casual and the video shoot may need more retakes, once Vikas familiarises with the co-actor and deviates from the main theme and talks about his own personal matters. Me greeting Vikas at the entrance of the Kori Rotti during the shooting itself, was our formal intro! Of course Ashwin Shetty the dynamic director liked my dialogue "Welcome to Namma Kudla" in Tulu. I had not watched any of the episodes of Twist of Taste(TOT) or Master Chef show with Vikas Khanna on TV, but I did watch the youtube recordings of Vikas on Master Chef and Vineet Bhatia on TOT as soon as it was confirmed by OML that I was in the Kori Rotti episode. Looking at Vikas, I was very much relaxed and happy that he was a happy go lucky casual and friendly guy who can relieve anyone's tension!

At the Kori Rotti Factory

The shooting schedule went on smoothly, Ashwin making things easy for me with minimum retakes, we completed the shooting session there little after 3:00PM and they served food packets to all. Cold drinks were ready in abundance in ice boxes. I didn't eat anything as I was to eat with Vikas at our home. We went home at around 3:45PM and there Vikas was again being friendly with all those friends and neighbours who came to see him, but was disappointed, not to see a big crowd at our place to greet him. He said he'd have been more happy meeting people, as he loved to be loved by all! Yes. He did visit our front door neighbours who were his fans, and spent 15 minutes with them, assuring them that he will be back next year and dine with them! Such is the simplicity of this great Chef Vikas Khanna. I prepared Chicken Kubera in a hurry and that was also served to Vikas along with Kori Rotti, Kadle Manoli Sukkha  and the spicy tangy Wild Jackfruit and Raw Mango in Brine Chutney made by our neighbour Vinaya Shenoy. Vikas was all praises for Meena's cooking and was amazed to know that Chicken Kubera was my own formulation, reminiscing over the taste of the dish with the same name as prepared by a cook long ago.

Vikas looking at the Tata Nano ad

Vikas with the author and his wife Meena

Vikas with his fans

Vikas with a young admirer

The Creative Team enjoying our food

Twist of Taste with Vikas Khanna-  Mangalore Kori Rotti Full Episode

The camera crew were very active. Cinematographer Ankit Mhatre did lot of acrobatics with his Canon 5D Mark III, climbing on the kitchen platform, finding a corner to get the right angle of the Kori Ghasi being tempered with a seasoning by Meena, even the electricians and spot boys did a good job, fixing spot lights and reflectors within a jiffy and also dismantling them fast. Director Ashwin Shetty, Namma Kudla guy from Kodialguthu West, who had his primary schooling in Mangalore, was very dynamic and he showed ease in executing his job. Mughda Savkar and her teammates who looked after the food presentation, Ashwin, Ankit, Shruti and the creative guys from OML, they all relaxed and gobbled up the food we had prepared, appreciated the taste of Kori Rotti and Chicken Kubera, didn't even show mercy on us when they cleared the food, but heartily helped to clear the empty vessels and plates!

With the 3 Hungry Men

Shooting with The Three Hungry menThat was on the next day, October 23 at Kusum Restaurant, Lower Car Street. They started a bit early, say by 8:00AM and by the time I reached there at 9:30, shooting was just complete for Vikas' entry. Like others, I too was restricted from entering the place, blocking the front and inside of the restaurant so that cinematographers can focus their cameras properly. It was steaming hot inside the back corner of the restaurant where I squeezed myself along with friends and family members of Shailesh Bhat, and watched the shooting in progress. All I could see was, a kitchen helper rolling out Mangalore Buns, Shailesh frying them in hot oil and Ankit with his camera perched in a corner behind the frying pan! I could hear Vikas, Nikhil and Colin speaking and laughing, the boys and girls cheering Vikas and directors going in and out, instructing the camera guys and the lamp boys to do the necessary changes in positions. 

The creative team with Vikas at Kusum restaurant

View from the kitchen

After a while, I could not tolerate the heat, I was sweating like a sponge, and decided to go out and breathe fresh air. It was already 10:30 by then. Regular customers of Kusum Caterers started coming for meals parcel, which was arranged in the adjoining shop where podis are sold in the evenings. I saw the tempting crisp Green Chilli Fritters in the glass cage over the counter. Suddenly Vikas appeared on the sidewalk, drinking cold water and looking exhausted. 


He smiled and spoke to me - "Mr. Rajnikanth, just look at my position! They chased me out and they allowed you in!"  

Then the women at the counter offered him the fritters, saying "Mirchi Bhajia hai, achha hai!"

Vikas ate couple of them and exclaimed "Yeh bilkul theeka nahin hai. Not pungent at all!"

Then he yelled "Aah.....haahaa....uff uff!" and gulped some water. I knew it was his antic to amuse us and he didn't fail in that attempt! We all laughed our heads off, watching him.

Vikas relaxing with a drink after hectic shooting

Cinematographer Ankit behind the camera

Hot cross Buns ready

After they were done with the shooting at 12:30PM, Vikas posed with many of the spectators for photo session and his gesture in hugging Shailesh's mother and flanking two women workers of Kusum Caterers was some scene to remember.

Fresh n hot Mangalore Buns

Shooting in progress

Shailesh Bhat ready with the buns

Vikas with Shailesh Bhat and family

About Vikas Khanna
Vikas said, Indian traditional food has tremendous potential globally and the street food is amazingly still popular with the masses after decades of its presence all over the Country. He added that though the curriculum taught them mostly Continental cuisine facilitating the new Chefs to settle down in Europe and the USA mostly, he chose Indian Cooking specially because his roots in Amritsar taught him to concentrate on our traditions and extend Indian hospitality to the west. It's not a wonder, he's doing extremely well with 'Junoon', his boutique Restaurant in New York since over a decade, serving traditional Indian cuisine. He also fondly remembered his schooling days at Welcome Group Graduate School of Hotel Administration Manipal, his teachers, his colleagues, the Krishna Temple in Udupi, his reminiscence of chanting Kannada bhajan there and narrated many other experiences candidly. Most of the times he mentioned about the bondage with his beloved mom. He says, all mothers are inspiration to him whenever he takes up something challenging. Their love and blessings keep him going.

Both myself and Meena felt good that it was not just a video shoot for Fox Traveller, not just an episode of Twist of Taste, but it was like meeting a great humanitarian, a storehouse of knowledge, a philosopher, a messiah who spread happiness wherever he went,  the tall, slim, fair and handsome Vikas Khanna.

May his tribe increase.


Epilogue
The show Twist of Taste With Vikas Khanna - Coastal Curries Mangalore episodes were telecast on February 24 and March 3 this year, and there were repeat telecasts from time to time. Our episode Kori Rotti, Byari Biryani and Mangalore Buns with The Three Hungry Men were highlighted in 'The Best of Twist of Taste - Coastal Curries' special extended one hour episode in which, behind the scene shots were highlighted. You may watch the highlights of the show following the link here below. Three episodes of Twist of Taste including myself, my wife Meena, my cousin Kudpi Jagadish Shenoy and his son Sudarshan and of course, The Three Hungry Men Nikhil Pai and Colin D'Souza. That's by all standards, a job well done by Mangalorean Konkanis in highlighting the local cuisine for a prestigious national Channel like Fox Traveller, with Michelin Starred Master Chef Vikas Khanna!

The Lorry Shutter

Pic source: www.stockpicturesforeveryone.com

Since my childhood, I was fascinated by buses and lorries. I used to stand outside our compound in Ballalbagh near the circle beneath the big Acacia tree and watch the passing buses and lorries on the MG Road, announcing their names aloud. Sometimes we hoodlum boys would climb up into the cabin or back of the Sri Dharmasthala lorries parked outside our compound or even Maha Mysore lorries belonging to Lalbagh Stores opposite our compound and act as if we were the owners!

One small incidence at the Mangalore Ganesh Beedies Compound that happened in the mid Sixties left me scared for many days. We four friends used to play in that compound, climbing trees and plucking raw mangoes or cashew fruit with the help of Dinesh, a boy who stayed in the outhouse there.

We were playing as usual one day, myself, Dinesh, Mahaveer and Naveen. I saw the beedi lorry parked in the compound in a corner. I told my friends, we shall get into the back of the lorry. We climbed up with slight difficulty, as the back shutter of the lorry was pretty high, designed to keep the beedi boxes secure inside. We then decided to open the shutter and then climb up and jump down. That was our most cherished game then.

We loosened the hooks attached to a chain that held the shutter secure on both sides, released the shutter and it collapsed with a big thud and started swinging! We got scared that security watchman may hear the sound and catch us. We ran and hid behind a big Mundappa mango tree nearby and waited. Nothing happened. After 5 minutes, we went back to the lorry and decided to close the door and lock it. All the four of us tried to lift the door but it was so heavy, we could not lift it more than a few inches! We tried with all the strength we had and the door moved up almost 75%. Then the unexpected happened! Naveen sneezed and he could not support the door properly. The remaining three of us had all the weight on our shoulders and we had to let go the door and move back, but the door hit the head of Naveen, and he cried "Amma...." and then collapsed!

We tried to wake him up but he would not move a bit. We also saw that his head had a small bulge and a cut that bled a little. Now we all panicked and felt butterflies in the stomach. We let go the door but how can we show our faces to the parents of Naveen who had blacked out? What story can we tell them? I was also slightly worried about my parents, who'd never allow such stupidity in our home. I thought that was the last day of my stay at home and I'll be kicked out!

Call it a miracle or what, Naveen suddenly sneezed again and opened his eyes! He also tried to get up and we supported him. Slowly he got up and sat down, watching us as if he's in a trance. Dinesh told him "Talk man. Tell something. Can't you recognise us, your friends?"

He mumbled something. I asked "What?" He faintly said "My head hurts. I am thirsty." Dinesh ran home and after a while came back with a brass pot full of water. He gave Naveen water to drink and then Naveen smiled a bit and said "Shall we go back and close the lorry shutter?" We saw each others' faces and laughed aloud with joy.

The lorry shutter was still left open when we went home.

Social Justice

Pic source: http://2.imimg.com/

In my 56 plus years of life, I've seen at least 56 domestic helpers who came for doing household chores like scrubbing the vessels, washing clothes and sweeping/wiping the floor. Yet, one lady called Shanthi is always memorable not only for the service she rendered to our family for over 4 decades, but also that she had few unique antics and expressions that she showed unassumingly!

My late father, a great humourist of all times used to ask mother, Where is our Puna Sundari?". He meant how she would pronounce 'Guna Sundari', a character from a story which also was made into a Telugu film in the late Forties. She would also call 'Gargasda Podi'(Saw dust) as 'Circusda podi' and that's true because I've heard from my own ears, her pronouncing like that.

My mother was a movie buff and since my father was too busy with his profession, he used to either send one of the boys with her to watch the movies or Shanthi used to accompany her. She wouldn't demand more than a lemonade and a packet of 'Masale Kadle' while watching the movies.

Thus, Shanthi also had the recognition as mother's most reliable and economical companion!

Shanthi also did her job well. I can say, better than what we expected from a domestic helper those days when they used to stay full day at our place, wash clothes and clean vessels that used to get heaped by 10-12 members in the house, do cleaning of the 4000 plus Sq Ft Red Oxide floor, remove cob webs, sweep the front and back yard and finally wash the toilet and bath room! When Shanthi did her job, the floor, the clothes and the vessels used to be spotlessly clean. She did all that using well water and there was no pump fitted but a wooden wheel called 'Raate' to draw water from the well.

One can imagine the plight of domestic helpers those days. Vessels were mostly tinned copper and Brass that needed intensive scrubbing with coconut fiber and ash. Soap they got was mostly Bar Soap with heavy percentage of alkalies that used to corrode the skin on the finger and toe joints, leading to fungal infection and pain. Mother used to give them ointments/creams like Saibal or B-Tex but they had no rest. Hence the wounds/lesions would not heal for a long time. It was really pathetic but those days, this was the common scene. Shanthi too obviously had similar problems but she used to endure the pain and do her duty with love and dedication.

One Sunday in the year 1969, I got ready to go out, and searched for my newly purchased light Brown Bata Hawaii slippers. They were not in their usual corner on the verandah. Since there were many other pairs of slippers and shoes in that corner, I took some time to search for mine but in vain. I asked my immediate elder brothers if any of them have seen my slippers. They both nodded and said no. I was totally upset that I had to go out urgently and my slippers were missing. I had no other slippers or shoes of my own then, since it was vacation for school, and we normally purchased leather slippers and rain shoes just before the schools reopened.

Then someone said "I just saw Shanthi wearing a pair of new Hawaii slippers. Could be yours!"

I was shocked. Though we had compassion and attachment for those helpers, we'd never imagine any of them wearing our things without seeking permission! I got wild, went straight to the back yard of the house and saw Shanthi with a broad smile, doing duck walk, wearing my No.7 slippers, spreading Sholapur Bed Sheets on the clothes line for drying!

I shouted aloud "What is this! Who gave you permission to wear my slippers?"

Shanthi looked around and was surprised to see a furious me scolding her. She stammered a bit and replied in a low voice "Raayare, I was having intense pain in my feet due to skin infection. My slippers are spoilt and I saw these idle and thought I will wear them for a while. I will scrub them with soap, wash them properly and give them back to you. Please wait for some time."

I was still furious. I said, she had no business to wear my slippers and she's not supposed to touch my belongings without my permission!"

She started to cry and she said "Raayare, I have looked after you like my own baby since the day you were born. Will I do anything wrong? Today by mistake I wore your slippers. Please pardon me. I won't repeat it. I thought you are like my own son and you will understand the plight I am going through."

That suddenly had an impact on my cool attitude! I was never angry with Shanthi or anyone else in my life for material wants. What hurt me most was her taken for granted attitude towards me. I realised my mistake and felt truly sorry for her. She being from a poor working class family was not supposed to learn formalities we expected from her. When our wants are fulfilled immediately on demand by our parents for a comfortable living, don't the workers too deserve those facilities? Life is not one way traffic. It should be give and take. Workers are not slaves. If we don't have social justice, is it possible to have domestic helpers like Shanthi slog for us selflessly?
I then consoled her, told her that those slippers are hers and she need not worry about washing them or returning them to me. I also told her that I will buy a new pair for myself. She wept like a small girl for some time and then wiped the tears with her saree end and smiled. The happy look in her eyes was indeed a sight to watch!

ಉರುಳಿದ ತೆಂಗಿನಕಾಯಿ

1969ನೇ ಇಸವಿ ಇರಬೇಕು. ನಾನಾಗ ಇನ್ನೂ 12ರ ಬಾಲಕ. 

ನಾವು ವಾಸವಾಗಿದ್ದ ಬಲ್ಲಾಳ್ ಬಾಗ್ ’ವೀರ ಭವನ’ದಲ್ಲಿ, ಹೆಗ್ಗಡೆಯವರ ಮನೆಯ ಮುಂಭಾಗ ಕೆಡವಿ ಕಾಂಕ್ರೀಟ್ ಸ್ಲಾಬ್ ಹಾಕಿ ನವೀಕರಿಸಲಾಗುತಿತ್ತು. ಹಲವಾರು ಕಟ್ಟಡ ಕಾರ್ಮಿಕರು ಕಾರ್ಯನಿರತವಾಗಿದ್ದರು. ಅದರಲ್ಲಿ ಒಬ್ಬ ಒಕ್ಕಣ್ಣ(ಒಂದು ಕಣ್ಣು ಮಾತ್ರ ಸರಿ ಇದ್ದು ಇನ್ನೊಂದು ಬಾತುಕೊಂಡು ವಿವರ್ಣವಾಗಿತ್ತು) ನೋಡಲು ಭಯಾನಕವಾಗಿದ್ದು ಆತನ ಸ್ವರವೂ ಹಂದಿಯ ಗುಟುರಿನಂತೆ ಕೇಳಿಸುತಿತ್ತು. ನನಗಂತೂ ಅವನನ್ನು ಸಮೀಪದಿಂದ ಕಂಡರೆ ಫಕ್ಕನೆ ಕೈಕಾಲು ಗಡಗಡ ನಡುಗುವುದು, ಬೆವರುವುದು, ಬಾಯಿಯ ಪಸೆ ಆರುವುದು, ಮುಂತಾದ ಲಕ್ಷಣಗಳು ಕಂಡು ಬರುತ್ತಿದ್ದವು!

ಓಂದು ಮಧ್ಯಾಹ್ನ ಕಾರ್ಮಿಕರು ಊಟಕ್ಕೆಂದು ಹೊರಗೆ ಹೋದ ಸಮಯ. ನಮ್ಮ ಮನೆಯ ನೇರ ಮುಂದೆ ಇದ್ದ ಮೂರು ತೆಂಗಿನ ಮರಗಳ ಪೈಕಿ ಮಧ್ಯದ ತೆಂಗಿನ ಮರದಿಂದ ಧೊಪ್ಪೆಂದು ಒಂದು ಕಾಯಿ ಕೆಳಗೆ ಬಿತ್ತು. ಎರಡು ದಿನ ಮುಂಚೆ ಮೈಸೂರಿನಿಂದ ಬಂದ, ಮೆಡಿಕಲ್ ಕಲಿಯುತಿದ್ದ ನಮ್ಮಣ್ಣ ಕೈಯಲ್ಲಿದ್ದ ಪುಸ್ತಕವನ್ನು ಬದಿಗೆ ಸರಿಸಿ ಎದ್ದು ನಿಂತು ಬಿದ್ದ ತೆಂಗಿನಕಾಯಿಯನ್ನು ಗುರುತಿಸಿ, ನನಗೆ ಆಜ್ನಾಪಿಸಿದನು "ಏಯ್ ಹೋಗಿ ಆ ತೆಂಗಿನಕಾಯಿ ತಕ್ಕೊಂಡು ಬಾ!".

ನಾನಂದೆ "ಅದು....ಅದು....ಅವರ ತೆಂಗಿನ ಮರದ್ದಲ್ಲವಾ! ನಾನು ತೆಗೆದ್ರೆ ನನಗೆ ಬಯ್ಯುದಿಲ್ಲವಾ?"

"ಏಯ್ ಸುಮ್ಮನೆ ಹೋಗಿ ತಾ. ಆ ಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಈಗ ಯಾರೂ ಇಲ್ಲ. ನಾವು ತೆಗೆಯದಿದ್ದರೆ ಕೆಲಸದವರು ತಕ್ಕೊಂಡು ಹೋಗ್ತಾರೆ!. ಓಡಿ ಹೋಗಿ ತಾ ತೆಂಗಿನಕಾಯಿ, ಯಾರಾದ್ರೂ ಬರುವುದರೊಳಗೆ!"

ನಾನು ಒಳಗೊಳಗೇ ಹೆದರಿಕೊಂಡು ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಸಂಕೋಚದಿಂದ ಅತ್ತಿತ್ತ ನೋಡುತ್ತಾ ಬೆಕ್ಕಿನ ಮರಿಯಂತೆ ಓಡಿ ಹೋಗಿ ತೆಂಗಿನಕಾಯಿಯನ್ನು ಹೆಕ್ಕಿ ಕುಂಕುಳಲ್ಲಿ ಮಗುವಿನಂತೆ ಭದ್ರವಾಗಿ ಹಿಡಿದುಕೊಂಡು ವಾಪಸ್ ಬರುವಾಗ.....

"ಏನಪ್ಪಾ! ಕೈಯಲ್ಲೇನದು...ಆಂ?"

ಮೊದಲು ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಗಡಸು, ಕೊನೆಗೆ ತಗಡಿನ ಸುಣ್ಣದ ಡಬ್ಬಿಯಾಕಾರದ  ’ವಿಮಾನ’ವೆಂಬ ಹೆಸರಿನ ದುರುಸುಬಾಣ ದೀಪಾವಳಿಯ ಸಮಯ ಹೊತ್ತಿಸಿ ಮೇಲೆ ಹಾರುವಾಗ ಹೊರಡುವ ಶಿಳ್ಳು ಹೊಡೆದಂತೆ ಶಬ್ಧ ಕೆಳಿಸಿ ನನ್ನ ಜಂಘಾಬಲವೇ ಉಡುಗಿ ಹೋದಂತಾಗಿ, ಗಡ ಗಡ ನಡುಗಿದ ನಾನು ಬಲಹೀನನಾಗಿ ಬೆವರಿ, ಕುಂಕುಳಲ್ಲಿದ್ದ ತೆಂಗಿನಕಾಯಿ ಜಾರಿ ನೆಲಕ್ಕುರುಳಿ ಮಾರು ದೂರ ಹೊಗಿ ನಿಶ್ಚೇಷ್ಟಿತವಾಯಿತು. ಬಿದ್ದ ಕಾಯನ್ನು ಹೆಕ್ಕಿ ಪುನಃ ಪುನಃ ಎರಡು ಸಲ ಬೀಳಿಸಿ ಕೊನೆಗೆ ಭದ್ರವಾಗಿ ಹಿಡಿದುಕೊಂಡವನೇ ಮೆಲ್ಲಗೆ ತಲೆ ಎತ್ತಿ ಒಕ್ಕಣ್ಣನನ್ನು ವಾರೆ ದೃಷ್ಟಿಯಿಂದ ನೋಡಿದೆ!

ಆತನ ಮುಖದಲ್ಲಿ ಮುಗುಳುನಗೆ ಕಂಡರೂ ನನಗೆ ರಾಮಾಯಣದಲ್ಲಿ ಉಲ್ಲೇಖವಾದ ಕಬಂಧ ಎಂಬ ರಕ್ಕಸನ  ನೆನಪಾಗಿ ಈ ಕಡೆ ಅಳು...ಆ ಕಡೆ ದುಗುಡ ಉಂಟಾಗಿ, ತೆಂಗಿನಕಾಯಿಯನ್ನು ಆತನಿಗೆ ನೀಡಿ ಕ್ಷೀಣ ಸ್ವರದಲ್ಲಿ "ತಗೊಳ್ಳಿ. ಈಗ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಬಿತ್ತು!" ಎಂದೆ.

ಅವನು ಗೊಳ್ಳೆಂದು ನಕ್ಕು, ಹರಕು ಮುರುಕು ಕೊಂಕಣಿಯಲ್ಲಿ "ವೊಡ್ನಾರೆ ಪುತಾ...ಕಾಣ್ಗೆ. ಹೋರ್ ಹೋರ್..." (ಪರ್ವಾಗಿಲ್ಲ ಮಗಾ....ತಕ್ಕೋ... ತಕ್ಕೋ) ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಿ ಎಲೆ ಅಡಿಕೆ ಮೆಲುಕು ಹಾಕುತ್ತಾ ತನ್ನ ಪಾಡಿಗೆ ತಾನು ನಡೆದನು!