Shaping Chala or pudla by hands

This was a video I made during our trip to Kutchh, last summer. It was Bhim Ekadashi and Laxmiben was busy preparing ‘Chala’ (chilla/poodla/pancakes) for her large joint family. Since it was a special day the feast had to be festive ‘Chala and Ambo (mango) was the menu for lunch. It was an extremely hot day around 45 degrees, working in kitchen was unbearable yet, Laxmiben very calmly kept spreading the Chala batter on hot griddle shaping them using just her finger tips.. “You can use a spatula or a matchbox cut into strips to spread the batter, it will protect your fingers from burning!!” I suggested. “Of course I can, but then the Chala won’t have these impressions on them, they would look rather flat and unimpressive!! Also this is how my Mother-in-law has taught me to make Chala, I should be taking that forward 😊” replied Laxmiben very matter of factly.

Food traditions that are handed over from generation to generation and painstakingly preserved…. Enjoy the sizzle…