‘Singhdana’, ‘Mungphili’ or ‘kadala’ (in Malayalam) evoke various sentiments when spoken in different languages. With a ¼ ` (or 25 ps) in the early 1960s one could hire a cycle for two hours for a ride down to watch RAC Bikaner (with Magan Singh) take on Mohammedan sporting in the Sri Narayanaguru soccer tournament, dig into a sumptuous meal of kadala varuthathu (fried peanuts) and generally have a good time. Enrtry for students was free for the matches. In those days one could get much more for a quarter in Kannur than in say Pune or Dehradun.
‘Monkey nuts’, is an oxymoron. It must have been a crazy guy who gave peanuts that name. Whether it is meant that monkeys usually eat these nuts (there is no recorded history of such activities by the simians) or we eat the nuts with a monkey like demeanor is a moot point. But monkey and nuts don’t suit in the same name. Peanuts are not just peanuts anymore. They produce oil, butter et al and are also used in a variety of snacks that go well with rum in Army messes.
We have a corner in our ‘terrace garden’ (read a few potted plants) where we keep water and food for the birds. All variety of birds come to partake of our offerings that include left over two minute noodles which is the favourite with the kite who has made its nest on the ‘mobile tower’ on a building about fifty meters from our house. We may have to visit the Gir sanctuary and learn first hand what the lions there eat these days…. Killing cattle is banned in the state of Gujarat which produces a large part of singhdana output of India.
Peanuts are not just peanuts anymore…
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