I look forward to visiting Kumta, our ancestral home along the konkan coast. Lush green fields, coconut tree groves, red mud roads where lazy cows have the right of way. A place where I can speak konkani all over town.
Strolling through someones orchards, I came upon a small cinder-block shed buzzing with activity. Inside were a group of young girls busy making 'papads.&apos (konkani: haapoL). The girls had a machine going and were churning out hundreds of haapoL right before my eyes. An amazing sight! Apparently one of the women had gotten a small loan, and started selling haapoL and other konkani foods to local businesses. I had read a lot about small loans given to women in rural india. Here I saw it in action!
There was one older 'maam' who was tending an industrial blender in the corner, making the haapLa piTh (papad dough). Then, in a smoothly running assembly line, small dough rolls were hand kneaded, flattened and fed in a powered roller, resulting in a long thin wafer of dough placed on a strip of plastic sheeting. Other girls immediately attacked it with papad-cutters (sharp-edged round plates; see lady in blue saree has one in her hand) and trimmed the edges. Trimmings went back in the dough mixer! The plastic sheeting was hung out in the sun and after they had partially dried, the papads were gently removed and allowed to dry further on mats.
It was amazing to see the girls operate flawlessly. And the entire time, the girls were smiling and joking with each other (and giggling – surprised to see me showing an interest and taking pics). They offered me some of the haapLa piTh for tasting; this is a delicacy and you can only get it wherever haapoLs are made. They make other konkani foods depending on demand and requests. I ordered 300 haapoL.
Later that afternoon, one of the women brought the freshly made haapoL to our home. The cost was a fraction of what I would pay here in the US! It was not the price, as much as supporting these young women in their enterprise. They probably use the money to buy food, school supplies and support their family.
Notice how happy and content the girls look. Everyone seems enthused to be there working, earning some money in this bare cinder-block shed, with not a chair in site. Compare that with us and our own colleagues in office parks, pampered with air-conditioning, cafeterias, free munchies and perks. How very fortunate are we! Next time you buy a haapoL from Kumta, (or any other small enterprise) think of these hardworking girls!
HaapaLa piTh being fed through a roller yielding the long wafer.
A women presses a cutter into the dough, while another peels away the trimmings.
The haapoL, still stuck on the plastic are hung out to dry in the yard.
After a few hours in the blazing sun, the haapoL fall off; they are collected and spread on straw mats i the yard to dry thoroughly.
To see how papads (haapoLu) are made at home, see this post on Aayi’s Recipes
Other Kumta Related Posts:
- Kumta: Jewel of the Konkan
- Kumta: Main Street
- Kumta: Field of Dreams
- Kumta: School Kids
- All posts in Kumta Category
how did i miss this post!!!! fabulous pics arun.
Sia! Thanks
This is one of my favorite posts!
These women are amazing.
We still go to them and pickup Papads from them!
will visit them again later this week.
Enjoy your travels
Arun,
Your blog is very nostalgic. I’m from Kumta, actually Teppa 2 kms from Chitragi towards Aghanashini (it is on the banks of Aghanashine delta and very picturique). I remember the summer days we would make happala at home. Now this has become the industry and I’m glad about that. Your pictures and well written essays bring back the fond memories. Thanks for doing a wonderful job.
Thank you Pratibha for your kind words!
Wonderful to see another Kumta-kar (or Kumta-ite, if you prefer).
The Aghanashini delta is such a beautiful place. You are lucky. Did you know Shilpa (aayis receipes) from before; Also, check out Maya’s Konkan World food blog (on my “Food to live for” Listing on the right). She is from Baad!
What are you upto these days and where?
I have to tell about this papad making procedure to mami(my neighbor).Will ask aayi to show it to mami. She makes it hard way by rolling them by hand. This one looks very easy. Thanks for the lovely post Arunanna(and I found out the relation..hehe)
Thank you Shilpa:
The contraptions looked very simple and I am certain it is not very expensive. Yaay! More Papads!
Arun anna (Yaay!) you don’t realize how great that makes me feel
)
hi arun,
quite interestin blog arun, the 1 who s makin papads dere s my mami, how do u know her????
Hi Ramnath:
Thank you for sharing your comment here.
We have a home in Chitrigi and live about two houses from Mukund’s house. That’s how I know them and the women who make papads? Are you currently in Kumta? We should meet when I visit there in a few months.
i wuld lik to but actually my native s karwar n rightnow im in b’lore for my graduation. So, dis gonna b ur visit after 6 years??? u ll find some interesting changes….
Hi Ramnath:
Congratulations on your graduation!
I go to Kumta very often, atleast once a year. I was just there (and got papads from Mukund) in July!
We do a lot of work with the Konkan Education Trust. See this link and follow the links in the post. Perhaps you can contribute to a scholarship for needy students too.
http://arunshanbhag.com/2008/09/06/lunch-svk/
Looking forward to meeting you at some time.
Best Wishes,
Arun
Yeah, thnx arun…. i’ve cn dat school, perhaps my maternal cousins were studyin dere… i guess u got me wrong, im still doin my engineering,still ve 2 go half the way… anyway, its really nice chatting wid u, wil catch u in orkut if u r dere…….
[...] Young Women Making Papads in Kumta [...]
daer mr arun shanbhag
i may have plesure to receive machine manufactrer adresses for papad making photo in konkan area, my e mail adresses naresh_djoshi@yahoo.co.in
awaiting your reply
thanking you
naresh joshi
Naresh ji:
I am currently sitting in Boston and unable to get you more details on the papad making machine.
But i will get you a contact who may be able to help you. Please check back with me in a few weeks.
Thank you for your interest.
Arun
Dear Mr. arun shanbhag
Im from Andhrapradesh Hyderabad, i may have plesure to receive more information about papad making. my e mail adresses mysoul.created@gmail.com
awaiting your reply
Ramprasad
+919989990045
[...] Young Women Making Papads in Kumta [...]