Knife Sharpner in Streets: Chennai Vendors

Knife Sharpner seen with his machine in Chennai

Knife sharpner engaged in shrpening knife

Knife Sharpeners in India (You Tube)

It is a common sight to see Knife sharpening people carrying the strange old portable machine on their back and moves around the narrow lanes and bylanes of Chennai. The so called sharpening machine is the uncomplicated wooden frame, an old bicycle rim connected to the foot operated pedal through a shaft and crank, the whetstone or grindstone  wheel fixed on top and the thick cord serves as the belt between bicycle rim and the whetstone or grindstone wheel. While shaperpening the knife the man operates the pedal and the two wheels are in motion and the whetstone or grindstone wheel sharpens the knife based on the priciples of friction.

Most of the knife sharpening people found in Chennai are Muslims. They sharpen knives, scissors, arivalmanai (used for cutting vegetables in Chennai) and other sharp metal objects from the household women to the fruit vendors.

It is rare to see the vendors engaged in sharpening knives and scissors are and the trade is simply becoming redundant with time. People prefer to purchase a new pair of scissors or a knife to save themselves the hassle of waiting for an itinerant knife sharpener to appear around their streets.

Sugarcane Juice Nature's Wonderful Beverage

In Chennai Sugarcane Juice is a Delicious Beverage during Summer Months

Sugarcane juice is the juice extracted from pressed sugarcane. It is consumed as a beverage worldwide. This is a popular drink in India especially in states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. It is known as "Oosacha Ras" or "Ganneka Ras" in Maharashtra in Marathi and Hindi accordingly. People usually like this drink in the summer months. Some other additives are added to the fresh juice like lemon, ginger, mint, and ice.

People also can find this drink along the roadsides in Tamil Nadu from mid March to the last of October. I have captured this sugarcane juice vendor using his sugarcane juice extraction machine in Chennai keep preparing fresh juice quickly on demand.

Quick Facts:

Sugarcane juice is considered rich source of vitamins and minerals:

The beverage has vitamins  A, C, B1, B2, B3, B5, and B6; minerals such as calcium, chromium, cobalt, copper, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, potassium and zinc as well as an excellent source of phytonutrients, antioxidants, proteins and soluble fiber. It is provides quick re-hydration of human body and the rich glucose source replenish your energy.

Presence of the high concentration of calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, and manganese in sugarcane make it as an alkaline base food drink. Eating an alkaline diet helps the blood pH level to stay in balance (between 7.35 and 7.45) without as much effort. This does not mean we should eliminate acidic foods from our diet altogether; it simply means we need to shift the balance from the typically acidic diet to a more alkaline diet.

Though the beverage is known for its high sugar content, it is an encouraging tips for diabetic patients. The drink has low glycemic index, since it is the natural sugar and there won't be the steep rice in blood glucose level.

It also boosts protein levels and sustain the smooth functioning of the kidney. It subsides the burning sensation associated with urinary track infections. 

http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Asia/India/photo1415684.htm

Chennai Food Street: Sowcarpet Street Food - Chats, Sweets and Beverages

Kakada Sweets - Sowcarpet

I have been to Sowcarpet on many occassions and have never been disappointed.  The entire stretch is lined with  tiny and small dhabas, push carts, makeshift stalls with Hindi speaking workers keep boiling, frying, stirring from dawn till dusk. It is the long street where age old eateries have emerged and still thrive, serving  crispy jalebis, golgappa, pyaz kachoris, pau bhaajis, aloo sabzis, bhindi, raita, shahi panner, chotu motu bhel, kulfis with different flavors and Kolkata paan at last but not least. People love to walk along this crowded stretch and like to enjoy these North Indian ‘reality bites’ around here.

What is golgappa? In North India people call Pani pooris as "Golgappas" and in West Bengal its name is "poochkas." It is a fun to witness the preparation of golgappa. With an inviting smile, the vendors poke his thumb into crispy fried shells (small puris appear like a golden sphere).  Later fill it with fresh garbanzo beans (chick peas) and boiled potatoes, then dip the puri into the ice cold sweet and sour water (pani prepared using tamarind and jaggery). Then topped with savory green chutneys, spicy masala powder and finely chopped onion pieces. The item will be served one by one in paper cup and the customer waiting with anxiety will eat it as a whole.

Vada Pav (Wikipedia)

Maharashtrian fast food Vada Pav is gaining iconic status in India. This street food, once enjoyed by poor man in Bombay, is attracting  rich and famous businessmen, family and students. People  flock around vada - pav stall at another corner.   Golden colored oil fried vadas are inviting. It is nothing but potato pieces mashed with garlic, chilli and coriander masala and dipped in chick-pea flour and fried in oil.  The crafty vendor slices the pav ("pav" is the Indian colloquial for bread) and butter it well, spread with green chutney and sprinkle some garam masala powder. Keep vada in between pav and served hot.

Pav Bhaji (Wikipedia)

Pav Bhaji is another Maharashtrian street food, now served every in Indian street food joints. Pav means bread. Bhaji in Marathi means vegetable dish. Bhaji is a mixed mashed vegetables usually displayed in a large tawa. The sliced pav will be shallow fried in butter and the crisp golden yellow pav will be served with bhaji, a dollop of butter, with optional toppings of grated cheese, dry-fruits and even fresh fruits. It is becoming an all-time favorite in Chennai.

Kakada Ramprasad is famous in Sowcarpet.  It houses, chat corner, sweet and snacks counters and as well as a restaurant. It is well acknowledged as one among the best sweet shops in Chennai. The Badam milk at this restaurant is one of the finest and tasty drink with perfect consistency and thickness.

Sowcarpet Images

Jilebi Maker at Sowcarpet

Sandwichwala

Namkinwala

Hot Kachori and Samosa at a Chatwala

White Pumpkin Peda

Gol Gappa or Pani Puri