Pictorial: Roadside Hopper Makers in Maamangam, Batticaloa
Fresh hearty hoppers
by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams”’ ~ Eleanor Roosevelt~October 11, 1884–November 7, 1962) was the First Lady of the United States of America from 1933 to 1945.
While traveling to Batticaloa, it’s very refreshing to witness the firewood carriers, trying to manage a whole load of firewood on their bicycles, and ride through the wind against them. Likewise while being in Batticaloa, we do not fail to catch the images of women making hoppers on the roadside at dusk. Most of us are used to stop by the hopper sellers to taste the instant milk hoppers.
Sculpture of the Kopuram of Sri Siththy Vinayagar Aalayam in Maamangam
It was a cloudy and sweaty evening in April, when I stopped in Maamangam as soon as I saw the two women making hoppers. The women either individually or in pair sit on the ground and make hoppers. Kerosene, and coconut husk is used to make the fire. Unlike other places, they use fire under and above the hoppers.
“When we use fire on both sides, the hoppers get boiled properly with the steam available, and it tastes better” says Sagayarani Saravanapavan. She began to make hoppers when she was 5 years old. Sagayarani Saravanapavan helped her mother in making and selling hoppers. Now, she comes here daily with her first cousin sister to earn their livelihood. Either of them earns Rs.600/= to Rs.900/= per day. Approximately Rs.500/= is spent for the ingredients. They carry the pots, pans, firewood and the ingredients on the heads, because they cannot afford to hire a vehicle to transport the items to their business place. They have a lot of dreams for their children.
"I have five children. I do not have any other income, other than what I earn by making and selling hoppers. I have some regular customers" said Sagayarani Saravanapavan (42)
They hardly have any savings
Ingredients are brought from home, and the hoppers are made here
A passer by is seen buying instant hoppers
The hearty hoppers are perfectly steamed with puffed creamy centre and crispy golden brown edges; A pair of milk hopper is sold for Rs.15/=
Heating the pan from atop and below is a specialty here. The demand for milk hoppers are on the increase
They stay here for long hours
They struggle to provide a better living standard for their children
They are to stay here, despite the hot weather
courtesy: HumanityAshore.org ~ dushi.pillai@gmail.com
13 Comments
Thanks a lot DushI for writing about the beauty of life in Batticaloa. We Sri Lankans, residing in Colombo have never seen the Sun rising from the Eastern horizon and now that peace has dawned in our motherland, we need to look and live the life of our countrymen in the East.
Dushi,
I always read your writing. Please keep up the good work.
R Maran
Seeing the pcitures of that mother sitting by the fire all day just to survive makes me feel horribly sad. She reminds me my mom, my childhood and numerous ohers like me (and her in the story) who are the only people who really can understand poverty. The others just preach killing each others for some petty racial difference.
I have only one comment: The poverty is as painful and comon among Sinhalese and muslims just as it is among Tamils.
The article refreshed my forgotten good old days. I really enjoyed my stay in batti when i was transferred as a English teacher. thanks to dushi for this well written article .Keep up ur good work.I am one of those who still love the people in Batti for their hospitality and the nice environment it gave us during our times . Good luck and best wishes -Mohammed Rasooldeen in Riyadh
Fantastic article and excellent pics Dushi. I've been to Batti when it was easily accessible by road and train and have gone as far as Kalmunai, Akkarapattu etc and also to Paseekudah (remember the beautiful beaches stil) but never have I encountered road side hoppers beiung made by women. Now it would be a real must to travel again to Batti even if it is to simply eat these wonderful hoppers. How would a tot of toddy go down now!!!
Cheers
Your article and pictorial representation goes straight to our hearts without giving the brain a chance to interpret. No interpretation required! Brings home the nostalgia we so long for. Thanks. Keep writing.
welcome the refreshing difference of this article. It boils down to the bottom of the situ in our island nation people's /women's struggle for survival.
We need simple answers to simple humane problems. Focus on the poor and uplift their lives.
Too many politicaly motivated articles are written and the root cause for problems in our nation is forgotten - The poverty in the rural provinces !!
Thank you for the pictures and the write up.
Hi Dushi
Thanks for beautiful presentation. I visited Batti only once but never had chance to eat outside. Its look like our Thunnalai Vallipura Kovil and Sannathy Murugan Kovil.
Thanks for refreshing my Good old days. I am from Vadamarachcy we love to eat
Hoppers and dosa outside. Our famous spots are Point Pedro Ooda-Kari Dosa.Here we Normally eat at night after cricket or Volleyball match, Fridays at Sannathy Mugugan Temple and Sundays our famous Vallipuram Temple.
Maamangam Temple environment exactly look like our Sri Vallipuram Temple. Nice presentation.
We need more articles like this.
Very intersesting article & well written. It is poor people like these who have to be helped by the Govt. & Regional municipalities & chief ministers.
My mouth is watering
what are the cheap ministers doing other than to help these people
The Road side Hopper makers story with good photos bring back old memories prior to war during cease fire days when we visited Batti last Its great this lady started at the age of 5 assisting her mom which is good experience Its high time some organisation provide her a better shelter against rain & sun to relish hygienically made hoppers for outstation travellers Keep writing more stories like this Dushiyanthini