Nostalgic flavours
It takes one to step out onto foreign shores to realize the importance of insignificant things like ‘kaddi patta’ – fresh curry leaves for those who pride in mastering culinary skills with the help of Madhu Jaffery’s adroit recipes. Life seemed to lack flavour as did the ‘kaddis’ and ‘sambars’ with the absence of this botanical marvel.
Excercising in the apartment gym we happened to meet an Indian brethren. Pleasantries were exchanged and the Rana hospitality extended to him. An alumnus of IIM Ahmedebad and hailing from the land of ‘sambar’, our new found friend had been working in Jakarta for a little less than a year. We hung on to every word that our erudite countryman spoke over the evening, as he filled us in with information absolutely critical for any Indian family residing in Jakarta. I could not believe my luck (and my ears) when our saviour suddenly popped the question – “And do you know where to get ‘kaddi patta’?”
“Where?” cried both of us in unison now perched at the edge of our seats, our voices brimming with excitement.
“Well,” he unraveled, “you know the apartment nursery behind the tennis court” – we nodded - anticipation writ large on our faces – “the third pot on the right is a ‘kaddi patta’ plant. The gardener leaves at 7 pm so make sure you go there only once he leaves. Removing a little twig will do the plant no harm.” We nodded in agreement. “Sangeeta,” he said sizing me up, “your hands may be too short to reach the plant from the locked gate – so it will have to be Pratap.” I nodded suddenly noticing for the first time the length of Pratap’s arm.
Was I impressed! I knew these lads from IIMA were an enterprising bunch! But this was way out! My opinion about them had suddenly taken on gigantic proportions. I now hold them in even higher esteem than I had ever before. Enterprising - and how!
The next time you see Pratap prowling clandestinely around the tennis court or between the nursery flowerpots – be rest assured that there is ‘kaddi’ to be cooked in the Rana kitchen.
Excercising in the apartment gym we happened to meet an Indian brethren. Pleasantries were exchanged and the Rana hospitality extended to him. An alumnus of IIM Ahmedebad and hailing from the land of ‘sambar’, our new found friend had been working in Jakarta for a little less than a year. We hung on to every word that our erudite countryman spoke over the evening, as he filled us in with information absolutely critical for any Indian family residing in Jakarta. I could not believe my luck (and my ears) when our saviour suddenly popped the question – “And do you know where to get ‘kaddi patta’?”
“Where?” cried both of us in unison now perched at the edge of our seats, our voices brimming with excitement.
“Well,” he unraveled, “you know the apartment nursery behind the tennis court” – we nodded - anticipation writ large on our faces – “the third pot on the right is a ‘kaddi patta’ plant. The gardener leaves at 7 pm so make sure you go there only once he leaves. Removing a little twig will do the plant no harm.” We nodded in agreement. “Sangeeta,” he said sizing me up, “your hands may be too short to reach the plant from the locked gate – so it will have to be Pratap.” I nodded suddenly noticing for the first time the length of Pratap’s arm.
Was I impressed! I knew these lads from IIMA were an enterprising bunch! But this was way out! My opinion about them had suddenly taken on gigantic proportions. I now hold them in even higher esteem than I had ever before. Enterprising - and how!
The next time you see Pratap prowling clandestinely around the tennis court or between the nursery flowerpots – be rest assured that there is ‘kaddi’ to be cooked in the Rana kitchen.
posted by Sangeeta Rana at 11:23 AM
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