A Tale of Two Bananas

We had just finished eating one of the heaviest meals when a booming voice from behind shouted out… That’s an insult! I will not tolerate it in my country.

I turned around and saw a man who was heavily built with a thick drooping moustache and wore clothes that you would expect in very ancient times. He carried an umbrella made of coir and looked like having jumped out of the Ramlila enactments you would see in rural India. But there was something in his shining eyes and deep voice that could make anyone sit up and take notice of as someone special.

Sorry Sir. how have I insulted you or anyone else?

You have not had the drinks in the three glasses before you and more importantly not eaten the two bananas. When you are having Sadhya, you must clean off everything that is laid before you. Leaving anything untouched is an insult to the Onam celebrations.

Sir, while I get your point, you must realise that there is a limit to what we can possibly eat in one go. For over an hour now, we have been eating one dish after another. After eating all, we have just folded the banana leaf and we will be taking the two bananas with us to eat later when hungry.

Can you show me what all you have eaten? I need to check whether you are telling me the truth or fibbing.

Why should we have to prove anything to you? Who do you think you are?

Just then the hotel chef came and with folded hands requested us to comply with the funny man’s strange request.

I promise I shall give you a complimentary meal if you do as the Lord says. Don’t question him please.

Ok, Chef. Just for your sake, I will take him through the meal we just had. Please take a seat for it will take me some time to remember everything. Let me open up the folded banana leaves that will still show you traces and remnants of the feast we just had.

We entered the dining area from the lobby where a beautiful floral decoration was made to wish us Happy Onam.

The moment we sat down to enjoy the deep blue water of the infinity pool to our left and the dark waters of the Arabian Sea in front and light blue of the sky above, a young man wearing the traditional dhoti and top laid two fine banana leaves and put a bit of salt in one corner. He was followed by a couple of others who put eight varieties of pickles and pachadi (raita made with pineapple), all of different looks and taste- red, orange, pink, white, yellow. This was followed by quick bombardment of banana, pappadam, banana and jack fruit fries, jaggery and fried chillies neatly on one side of the leaf. On the other side came three varieties of vegetables. These were, avial (A mix of vegetables in a coconut and yogurt base), thorans (Stir-fried vegetables with coconut and spices) and erissery (a dish made with pumpkin, beans, and spices).

Then came the sumptuous helpings of rice with parippu curry, a thick dal with a wholesome topping of ghee. This was followed by another round of rice and sambar and pulissery, a tangy yogurt-based curry with vegetables curry. We had to almost fight off the servers from pouring any more helpings on our leaves.

Ok Sir, we will now get you the sweets specially made by our chef for today.

Yes, please bring them on. We Bongs love the sweets of all varieties.

No sooner had we uttered the sentence came round one… payasam of banana flowers which was followed by payasam of jack fruit made in jaggery. As if this was not enough, they put a folded yellow coloured sweet roti which looked more like pooranpoli we are used to at Mumbai. Another lad came in quick time and poured palada payasam (made of rice and milk) on the sweet roti.

How did it all taste? Asked the so-called Lord.

Each dish was unique and tasty to the core…. I said.

The man patted the chef on his back…Well done, my boy.

The chef stood up and with folded hands he said… Sir, I only do ten percent of the work. rest is your doing in making the food taste good. I try and put in love in everything I make and then it is you who decides and makes sure the food is good and enjoyable for all who eat it.

The man smiled at the chef and nodded his head in appreciation.

We felt full to the brim by now and there was no place for anything when they put these three steel glasses before us. One with warm red water, rasam in the second and butter milk in the third.  Chef, everything was good about the food but we have not understood why such a combination of drinks are served at the end of the meal.

These help in digestion….said the chef.

But for us this was a deadly concoction to end a super meal and after sipping a little, we decided to call it a day and we neatly folded the banana leaf to say…..We are done!

Ha ha ha… you did good and since you are not from my country it is quite natural that you are not used to drinking.

Yes Sir, we heard that during this year’s celebrations the people of this land consumed so much liquor that earned the government enough revenue to fund the next mission of Chandrayaan 4.

All these fools will go to pathalam soon.

Why pathalam Sir?

Yes, for those who enjoy here will not do it there. They will face strict prohibition there and I will make sure they do not find ways and means to procure them from anywhere else. Our prohibition policy is strictly enforced, not like on earth where bootlegging is in vogue.

Now that we have had almost 25 to 30 dishes in the Sadhya meal, can we once again fold back the banana leaves and go back to our rooms to rest?

Yes, you may go. You have done well but do carry the two bananas and eat later during the day to finish off the meal. Let me now go to the other tables to check how they have fared.

Thanks, Sir, but can we have a picture with you for our memories.

Yes, sure….and we asked the Chef to take the picture.

And the man moved on leaving us and Chef standing with our hands folded. We asked the chef…who’s he?

The man represents the benevolent King Mahabali who once ruled the three worlds. He was an Asura but because of his good deeds and qualities, he became the ruler of both heaven and earth. The Devas or Gods were very upset and asked for Lord Vishnu’s help who acceded to their requests and manifested as Vamana, the dwarf. As Mahabali was performing rituals and giving away gifts, Vamana appeared and asked for land as much as could be measured in his three steps. The moment Mahabali agreed, Vamana grew in size and put one foot in heaven and the other on earth and asked the king where he could place his third step. The generous Mahabali offered his head for the third step. Vishnu was pleased with Mahabali and offered him a boon. Mahabali asked to be allowed to visit his people once every year. His wish was granted and on Onam day, it is said, Mahabali visits his people to wish them happiness.

I turned around to take one more look at the Lord but could not see him anywhere. I gulped down the liquids in the three glasses and put the two bananas in my pocket and went to my room. At night, we ate the two fruits and wondered if it would be right to throw the skins of the sacred bananas in the bin under the reading table or find another place appropriate.

We turned believers in God’s Own Country.

Happy Onam.

SS