Romance of Dawanni

 

Romance of Dawanni

(Two Anna Coin)

 

 

At the age of twelve, while studying in sixth standard, I was picked up by my eldest brother from my parents, at Bathinda for better education system at Patiala then the only education centre in Punjab: and admitted in Sanatan Dharam Sanskrit English Matriculation School – a community school with some characteristics of an English medium school and strict discipline- that had two building one for classes up to seventh, Junior School and other for eight and secondary classes, Senior School with single big brass bell to ring for period count at the top of Senior School. My class was on the first floor of Junior School, it had a large compound: was located in a commercial market: with open wide road in front: hawkers gathered with delicacies for children they enjoyed during recess period.

 

There was no custom of pocket money for children as schools used to be 0700 to 1300 hrs in summers and 1000 to 1600hrs in winters with half hour recess brake. However, some did bring money and enjoyed delicacies. My elder brother a Draftsman with Chief Architect Office, Punjab gave me, away from searching eyes, sometime going up or down the stairs, when we were two alone, sometime not everyday, some coins: my bounty most was Half Anna and Anna: however some occasions were lucky when it was Dawanni too - a Two Anna Brass Coin sometimes it was white coin too one-eighth of a rupee: when I got, it gave me lot of joy never expressed openly lest seen by others jealous: kept it safe safely many a time in books of school satchel alongwith Peacock feather commonly called Vidiya : thought of next day recess enjoying sharp sour the green Tamarind- Imli - Gattare with kitchen salt they were called liked then; Chinese dry Tamarind was unknown, freshly fried in small pan potato chat served on paper not modern day paper plate , small yellow Wood Apple –Bel Fruit, something unknown in my parental city; crushed ice sweet sour Gola; Tilla-kulfy; small red colour Berries (called) Ber; piondi Ber too Green Big, Mango Paper sweet sour: Churan Sour or sweet normally wet, burnt openly - it was a jugglery salt burnt as a reaction to some chemical, Orange Candy (Sangtare ki Goli) no toffees or chocolates or wafers or chips; warm woolen cloth wrapped Burf served on a green Banyan leaf, as it was called - solid ice cream,  cut into cubes not present day ice cream licked not cut into pieces; peeled sweet potato roasted or boiled cut in cubes served on paper with masala sprinkled, Singhara-Water chestnut boiled or raw without any add ons or dips, Lotus fruit with seeds unknown in many places and many other delicacies but not present day Chhole Bhatture, Burgers, Pizzas, even Idli Dosa, south Indian was unknown. Charmukh or Karmakh - Star Fruit was popular among younger ones: not bothered tooth sensitivity some enjoyed even, local Khajoor although not sweet tasteless, Banana and Guava being very popular.

 

Whenever got Dawanni, next day recess was a feast time, could enjoy three four delicacies sumptuous and fresh, none priced Dawanni every thing was between Half Anna and Anna, always longed for Dawanni but never asked for.

 

"People who love to eat are always the best people." Julia Child