INSIDE SUNDAY MARKET POLO GROUND ROAD SRINAGAR KASHMIR
PHOTO Autar Mota ( 2012…)
THIS IS KNOWN AS “ TAKHTAA MONDHUR ” IN KASHMIRI
In Kashmir , Every butcher keeps specially cut log of wood as a working tool in his shop . This working tool is placed ideally just below the hanging Flesh and close to the sitting place of the butcher . Once the butcher chops some flesh for his buyer, he places it on this log for cutting the same to small pieces . The average size of the piece depends on the type of dish to be prepared from it . If it is Roganjosh , the pieces are bigger , fleshy with Bones . If it is Yakhani , the pieces are medium sized preferably from ribs with fatty content . For keema or minced meat balls , the boneless pieces are beaten fine on this log with a heavy knife called “ Shraakh” in kashmiri .
I never knew where from these logs came . Sometimes the butchers would get them from timber sellers on order . Sometimes the Butchers would arrange these logs themselves .Now due to increase in the consumption of mutton , people have started purchasing these “ Takhta Mondhurs ” from market to be used in their homes . I saw this stuff on sale in Sunday market of Kashmir in May 2012.
“Le Leitaa Jenaab . Koyee Parvaai nahin . Hum Concession Karegaa . Iss par Maaz Dhaggo. Iss par Kokurr Piece piece karo. Ghar Mein Kaam Aayegaa. Uthaa... lo koyee paisa Nahin Dena . Yeh Kashmir Ka Tohfaa . Kashmiri Pandit Bhi Letaa . Mutchh Iss Par Behtareen Bantaa . Poochho apne aziz dost Se . Hum Such Boltaa hai. Yeh Chinar peid ka hotaa hai .Yeh Tcheir peid bhi Hotaa hai. . Iss ko Boltaa hai Takhtaa Mondhur . Yeh Ganai Isstemaal kartaa . Hum Ko Yaad karegaa. Uthaao ”
said the Foot Path Trader to Sukhdev Chib my friend.
“ Why Not buy it sir ? Don’t worry . I shall do concession in rate .Use it for mincing mutton . You can even cut a chicken to pieces over it . Shall Prove quite useful in your home .Keep it as a gift from Kashmir . Don’t pay . .Kashmiri Pandits too buy it . Ask your friend . I am telling the truth . Use it for making Mutton Keema.( Mutchh ). This is from a chinar Tree . It also comes from an Apricot Tree. In Kashmir we call it Takhtaa Mondhur . Butchers use it. You shall remember me . Pick it up ”
(Autar Mota )
Saturday 29th september , 2012 Time 11.50 PM .. Good Night
CHINAR SHADE by Autarmota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 India License.