It has been more around a year since I have written something. What encourages me to write now are two very motivating incidents. One is my sister- in-law's blogsite update on her blog, palakkadcooking.blogspot.in, narrating the recipe of Sambharam or Spiced butter milk, an ideal one for the sweltering heat of India, including Bangalore( I never knew that Bangalore could get so hot!) and the second one, the response of my Mami on my comment on the recipe. I was truly motivated and decided to share some of my experience, as well as wild thoughts on the simple but wonderful drink, what we call the butter milk or neer mor, sambaharam, chaas, majjiga so on, so forth. (I have already written a blog on what's in a name; Indian names are very interesting indeed).
First of all, I am surprised about the English name 'Butter milk' accorded to neer mor, since it neither has butter in it nor it is milk. It is butter extracted curd, diluted with water to such an extent that it tends to overcome dehydration amongst Indians, who could expereince severe heat during the summer months. You know these English, how they misconstrue things and try and convince others about it being right. A lot has been read by you about their adamant behaviour in your history classes at school, so I do not want to bore you.
I am also reminded of my late father, who was a connoisseur of English language, the way he explained how the term Cashew nut came into being. It seems, when English was ruling India, they were quite curious to know about the wonderful and rich nuts sold by the Indians in Kerala, The poor Mallu couldn't understand anything what the English asked him, except that he kept repeating 'Kasinettu'; meaning eight pieces for one kasu or paise. The English immediately termed the nut as Cashew nut, as it is known today. Quite possible. Like Jarnail and Karnail Singhs of Punjab.
I am also reminded of my late father, who was a connoisseur of English language, the way he explained how the term Cashew nut came into being. It seems, when English was ruling India, they were quite curious to know about the wonderful and rich nuts sold by the Indians in Kerala, The poor Mallu couldn't understand anything what the English asked him, except that he kept repeating 'Kasinettu'; meaning eight pieces for one kasu or paise. The English immediately termed the nut as Cashew nut, as it is known today. Quite possible. Like Jarnail and Karnail Singhs of Punjab.
Anyway, before I go astray, some more musings on butter milk. Whilst I was serving on board a ship, I had a chance encounter of a different order with butter milk, quite the opposite of what I told earlier regarding the name butter milk. We had a steward named, Chandan Bahadur, a well built man from the North East. Something was amiss in him, but he was sincere in his job, therefore no minded his wrong doings, which were very minor irritants. One afternoon, as soon I sat for lunch, he came and asked me if I would need something else except that served on the table. I thought for a moments and since I had worked in very hot spaces that day decided to order a glass butter milk. I could not have said it in Hindi, since I had barely managed to clear 'Prathmik' exam, the first exam conducted by the Dakshin Bharat Hindi Prachaar Sabha and decided not to pursue it further. So, whatever Hindi I had learnt then was only what I had learnt from my friends or course mates from the northern part of India.
I waited for pretty sometime before Bahadur placed a piping hot glass of milk, with a chunk floating on top. I was, to say the least, shocked and later angry, but stopped short of being amazed. Notwithstanding, I asked him as to what was that, to which he replied, 'Sir, Buttermilk sir', much annoyed at my silly question. I decided not to pursue it further and the arrival of a senior Steward also helped diffuse the situation. The senior steward took charge of the situation and before the entire crowd having lunch could complete their laughter, I got the butter milk I wanted and the 'Buttermilk' was taken away. I happened to meet Bahadur a couple of years back and tried making him remember the incident, but he was blissfully unaware. Long Live Bahadur!
Coming back to the butter milk, or the Tamil version, Neer mor, which means watery butter milk, like the way it is served; I wonder, if this name has got anything to do with the coinage , Need More? Anyone who tastes Neer mor, if well made in the traditional would never say 'No' to the question, 'Need more?' Such is the taste and the soothing effect of the drink. For those of you uninitiated, please go through the blogsite, palakkadcooking.blogspot.in, where my sister-in-law writes very interesting recipes, you would be delighted. I, being from the hot land of Madurai, am also reminded of Neer mor, for yet another reason. Madurai, as it is known for it's seasons, hot, hotter and hottest, de-hydrates you very soon, especially in the summer months. One would find, philanthropists setting up corner stalls under thatched roof, serving Neer mor to passers by, thereby rendering a great service to mankind. I wonder if this tradition still continues; I hope it does, since with 8 to 10 hours of power cut, keeping oneself alert and hydrated is tough without such help.
So, guys and gals, try out the recipe of Sambaharam at palakkadcooking.blogspot.in and you would say, 'Yes, I need more', rest assured.
I waited for pretty sometime before Bahadur placed a piping hot glass of milk, with a chunk floating on top. I was, to say the least, shocked and later angry, but stopped short of being amazed. Notwithstanding, I asked him as to what was that, to which he replied, 'Sir, Buttermilk sir', much annoyed at my silly question. I decided not to pursue it further and the arrival of a senior Steward also helped diffuse the situation. The senior steward took charge of the situation and before the entire crowd having lunch could complete their laughter, I got the butter milk I wanted and the 'Buttermilk' was taken away. I happened to meet Bahadur a couple of years back and tried making him remember the incident, but he was blissfully unaware. Long Live Bahadur!
Coming back to the butter milk, or the Tamil version, Neer mor, which means watery butter milk, like the way it is served; I wonder, if this name has got anything to do with the coinage , Need More? Anyone who tastes Neer mor, if well made in the traditional would never say 'No' to the question, 'Need more?' Such is the taste and the soothing effect of the drink. For those of you uninitiated, please go through the blogsite, palakkadcooking.blogspot.in, where my sister-in-law writes very interesting recipes, you would be delighted. I, being from the hot land of Madurai, am also reminded of Neer mor, for yet another reason. Madurai, as it is known for it's seasons, hot, hotter and hottest, de-hydrates you very soon, especially in the summer months. One would find, philanthropists setting up corner stalls under thatched roof, serving Neer mor to passers by, thereby rendering a great service to mankind. I wonder if this tradition still continues; I hope it does, since with 8 to 10 hours of power cut, keeping oneself alert and hydrated is tough without such help.
So, guys and gals, try out the recipe of Sambaharam at palakkadcooking.blogspot.in and you would say, 'Yes, I need more', rest assured.
