Maharashtrian Food Fest:Aaji chi Bhatukli

At the Maharashtrian Food Festival organised by the Pu La Deshpande Academy and the Maharashtra Govt was a unique exhibition called "Aajichi Bhatukli" Aaji meaning grandmother and Bhatukli meaning a miniature collection of kitchen and household items".As children,my cousin Supriya and I would play house with her stainless steel set.Years ago, she got married and moved to the US.The Bhaatukli is now with her there

On display at the Ravindra Natya Mandir at Prabhadevi,Mumbai was a metal drum used to store water,with taps to fill buckets to use for bathing.No continous running water then as is still the case in some urban cities

Metal items for pooja reminded me of Supriya's stainless steel flower basket which she used to collect fragrant and colourful Hibsicus and Parijat flowers from the garden to offer God.

Stoneware reminded me of the rather expensive versions in the market today.If only we had continued those!

Tamba or Brass cookware was common and considered good for health.

Ghusan Khamb was used to churn butter from milk....does remind you of Yashodamai and Lord Krishna

Pots used to churn buttermilk and store it looked oh so pretty!

In some Maharashtrian homes,you will still find metallic buckets and some wide vessels are now used in hotels to float flowers

Polpats were used to roll out chappatis and still are.Of course there are Roti makers for convenience.

No gas stoves then...only chulas made of bricks in which charcoal,sticks or cow dung was burnt.

We still have a Pata-Varvanta at home to grind masalas....my mother insists the taste is better that way

Silver Bhatukli was available for exhibition and sale here.

Soops made of cane were used to separate the chaff from the grain.Still used in wedding ceremonies to symbolise prosperity.

The Dagdi Ukhad was used to pound masalas.My East Indian friend Joan tells me of how Bottle Masala was pound by women in Old Bandra and the aroma was smelt miles away.

Handheld Shev makers for making shev or sev were used then

Villyas were used to grate coconut and cut fish.We have one.It is also seen in fish markets.

The Sancha or the Tongs are still use today

Zara or the Slotted Spoon is also a part of current day Indian kitchens

The metal balance used for measurements is still seen today in Indian markets

Games like playing marbles outdoors are so much preferable to playing video games indoors.A lovely display of olden times games is on display at the Mumbai city museum...the Bhau Daji Lad Museum at Byculla

The Bechki or Galol was something my father used in his childhood to knock fruits from trees.

Here's a game that reminds us that the Maharaja has been around for a long time!!

A gramophone ..."if music is the food of love,play on..."

The man behind it this lovely journey into the past ...Vilas Karandikar.His collection of 1500 items of Bhatukli has won him a place in the Limca Book of Records.Sir,we cannot thank you enough for this beautiful exhibition!!