Tuesday, January 12, 2016

MUSTARD- KATUKU

MUSTARD-KATUKU

Once my late elder brother working in Railways after a Delhi trip brought mustard oil for my father in the native. He felt it is very good for his leg pain. At that time I had just joined Trivandrum Training centre. On my visit to native my father told- If you go to Delhi, get me mustard oil. Fortunately I had a fortnight course in Delhi in the next few days. On my return trip I got down in the railway station near to my native, handed him a big bottle of mustard oil and continued my journey after a few hours with him in the bus to Trivandrum. That bottle was sufficient to give to relatives and keep something for him in the small bottle brought by my elder brother. Quite unfortunate- He did not gave me another occasion to get a bottle of mustard oil. He was called up by the time.

There are many painkiller oils. Mustard is one among them. While staying in months long training courses in advanced technologies, I got accustomed to preparations in mustard oil.

During a training trip in 1976’s to Jabalpur, I first saw the mustard plants with yellow flowers in the vast paddy fields identified to me by a military man along with me- after Andhra Pradesh if I recollect. That was my first trip with hesitation to North area. I never knew such an item- Mustard oil.

The first legend about mustard comes to me is of a lady with a dead infant approaching Gowthama Buddha to make him alive. Gouthama Buddha told her- Surely I can make him live if I could get a handful of mustards from a home- No body would have died in that house. The lady left the infant and started searching for mustard from near by homes with full enthusiasm. She could understand in all houses death has occurred. She returned empty handed. Even before Gowthama Buddha could tell about death, She had understood- death is inevitable and she had to bear the cruelty to her by nature.

Mustard in small quantities gives smell to the preparation during seasoning. One has to be careful while mustard frying in oil. Some could fly. Mostly the curry leaves are added while the mustard frying giving noise and about to open avoiding flying. A sambar, a poriyal, a chutni, a koottu, none of them is tasty with out seasoning using mustard. The floating mustard oil in chutnies gives a special taste.

Mustard is considered for a small measurement – katuku maniyolam- Like a mustard seed, is often used to mean a small volume. Katuku mani poloru maruku- A birthmark in size of mustard.

Mango pickles proportionately added with mustard paste gives good taste. Some prepare chutnies added with mustard paste- a special taste and smell.

I have seen my mother and elder brother applying mustard paste on forehead for severe headache. Nothing else will suit to them. Even after having Amrutanjan strong with him, many times I have seen my elder brother applying mustard paste.

Mustard use has some regulations: -

1. Mustard should never spill. It will be very difficult to collect, on one side, another, if spilled quarrels will occur in the family. On account of this always mustards are kept in small tins or bottles with narrow lid. Only small quantity is taken for use. By chance they fall on ground. spilling will be very less. KATUKU CHINTHIYAL KALAHAM VARUM.

2, Mustard should not be used more. It should always be in reserve. Normally loan from next house is not taken.

A person in hot temper is told to be like the frying mustard. Any thing if given in smaller quantity is often compared to mustard- What is the purpose of giving this mustard size.

There is a saying relating to mustard- One will notice the leaking of mustard-but will not notice the leaking of coconut. KATUKU CHRUNNATHU KANUM, THENGA CHORUNNATHU KANILLA. Saying means large misappropriation goes un noticed, smaller ones are clearly noted.

An interesting legend told as back ground to this – UNDAKKI KATHA. (imaginative story)

Once a big feast was arranged in the contract of an iyer. A middle aged iyer. Cooking had just started. His assistants were taking things. A slightly muff assistant was taking mustard packed in conical shape using news paper tied with jute. Through the cone end a few mustards fell down while reaching near cooking area. As all of us know such people will be specific in taking such things- a law of nature. Iyer got angry and fired the boy to pick all spilled mustard and clean. After a little weeping he started the work and completed picking all spilled mustards and cleaned them with cloth.

At that time the variar was grating the coconut. A large quantity of coconuts and halved coconuts were kept near him. His wife with small son came there at that time. Just like that she entered in to conversation about the time of feast, items, what help from her by the side of variar etc. Iyer felt interested in the conversation.

The son asked- Shall I take one or two coconuts for home. With a smile variasar said- our swami will say OK I think and smiled at him. He too smiled as if not a big thing. Our muff assistant was noticing things.

But the boy was not taking two, but above five which iyer missed to notice in the sweet conversation of variasar.
After a time variasar left with son to variam taking away the coconuts in the basket after taking some coffee or so promising to come later leaving the son in variam with elders.

Our muff assistant murmured in a slightly higher voice- Katuku chorunnathu kanum, thenga chorunnathu kanilla. Others could not control the smile. They laughed. Iyer came there and asked him what is the reason for laughing by all- He answered as he murmured- Katuju chorunnathu kanum, thenga chorunnathu kanilla. Now Iyer understood his folly.

Writer- R. Gopala Krishnan dated 12-1-2016.

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