There is a Chinese touch nowadays to everything, everywhere!
Well, not really, in the past too we have embraced many things wholeheartedly from China. Nothing is mentioned concretely in literary history about the things that probably were brought here by Chinese traders and travelers, but these items bear the connection with China in its' names.
You might have identified the Chinese fishing net (Cheena vala in Malayalam, our local language ) from the picture at the top of this post about which I have already blogged about. A lot of debate is going on about the introduction of these nets and why they are found in plenty around Kochi and not in Kozhikode (Calicut) in North Kerala where many Chinese traders frequented in the past. However, there is a connection with China as the name in Malayalam suggests. Similar nets to catch fish can be seen in Manipur in India, Thailand and many parts of South East Asia. I have also seen Cheenavala at Kumarakom and Thanneermukkom in Kerala.
The picture above is Cheena Bharani, small and large sizes. This is a ceramic vessel traditionally used for preparing pickles in Kerala. I have fond memories of yummy 'Kadumanga' (pickled tender mangoes) at my ancestral house. Sadly that exquisite taste and flavor are missing in present-day pickles.
This picture shows a small saucepan made of iron. This is called 'Cheenachatti', in Malayalam. Traditional vessels were made of clay and this metal utensil found its way to our kitchens bearing a Chinese touch to its name. The clay vessels are called 'manchatti', 'mankalam' etc.
This small, fierce green chilli is called 'Cheenimulaku or Kantharimulaku' (Bird's eye chilli). 'Mulaku' is the Malayalam word for Chilli.
Recently a Chinese delegation has shown a keen interest in the revival of Chinese fishnets at Kochi. Hope with their help this tourist attraction will become much more popular. The other day I read in the paper about some historians from China visiting Calicut to research about traders who visited six centuries ago, particularly the great Zheng He. He, as you may be knowing, was a great mariner, explorer, and was an admiral in the army of the early Ming dynasty.
http://magicalpresent.blogspot.in/2014/04/chinese-fishing-nets-at-fort-kochi.html
http://magnificentdewdrops.blogspot.in/2015/03/chinese-potato-koorkka.html
- It is hypnotic to dwell deeper into the historical aspects of things that fascinate us because this exercise helps in augmenting our understanding about it by adding color and glitter.
