Sunday, April 6, 2014

The 'Paan-Daan'...more than just table decor

The 'Paan-daan', a lustrous metal container with a round tray and small boxes to store betel leaves and all that goes onto the leaf to orchestrate that perfect 'Paan'...

'Paan-daans' have been used for many centuries.They were gifted to visitors and noble guests during ancient times by Mughal emperors, some made of silver, others of brass, copper and similar precious metals. They say in those days, the size and the weight of the 'paan-daan' would be an indication of the royal court's status and grandeur ! 

For me however, the sight of this gorgeous container takes me back in time to my grandmother's home...these are memories of a six (maybe five) year old, the slightly blurred visions of me looking on, as her practiced hands deftly opened the lid of the 'paan-daan' and she carefully selected a 'yellowish-green' leaf from it, shook off the droplets of water from the surface, and smeared it with the 'kathha' and 'choona' from the assorted 'dibbis' in the 'paan-daan'. This was a gaze of wonderment and awe, at the precision, finesse and the art involved in making the perfect 'paan' that was to be savoured as her post lunch digestive, and at the dazzling container that housed the ingredients for it.

The other thoughts are those of the beautiful antique 'paan-daans' we have at my parents' home in India, family heirlooms. It would be unfair to call them just 'collectibles' for they have been part of our lives for many many years. If only they could speak, they would have many interesting stories to share with you all :-)

And now we have one of our own at our home in South Korea... :-)




Yes this one is sans the 'paan ka patta' and the smaller containers have no 'kathha' to boast of, nor is there any 'laung-elaichi' huddled up together inside it. Yet, it is content sitting atop the table in our living room....gracing the spot and looking on, as we go about making a whole new set of memories, writing new chapters, documenting a different chronicle in our lives. It is a part and parcel of our world, just like everything else in our home, and some day in the future, it will have its own narratives to deliver, it's own tales to tell. As of now it is happy soaking it all in, gleaming and glistening its days away, a quiet, but majestic spectator in our little nook :-)



Must tell you this, when it arrived and made its place as table decor in our home, both the 'paan-daan' and I (and in that order),received a quizzical glance from the husband, '..what is that now ?!' he asked in a tone which was somewhere in between bewilderment and curiosity, a bit of fascination too perhaps ? :-) But now I think he has grown to love it too, appreciating its position of honour in his better halve's memories, and in the world of curios and interior decor :-)

Our 'paan-daan' ladies and gentlemen, a little more than table-embellishment this ! :-)



32 comments:

  1. It's very beautiful Karisma and loved your write up and pictures too...

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    1. Thank you so much Nayana. So glad you liked the post :-)

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  2. So beautiful. . The paan daan and the memories attached! Dadi's paan daan is in chandigarh I think, and I have full intentions of maaraoing it one day :) I too remember dadi giving us a paan ka patta, only once a week, but oh... it was such a treat! I'm sure yours will have as interesting tales to tell one day :)

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    1. :-) Thank you Surabhi Didi.Lucky you if Nina's paan-daan is at C'garh :-) Go grab it ! :)

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  3. Lovely write up and yes paan daans always remind me of dadi and her love for paan especially after lunch. Lovely pics too :)

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    1. :-) Precious memories, so glad we all get to own a share of them. Thanks Reshma Di.

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  4. So lovely.... mu nani had one tooo. Her's was octagon shaped...wonder where it went. I have a beautiful one now which i use sometimes to decorare too....

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    1. Wow, ocatagon shaped sounds lovely. You must share a picture of yours. Thanks Harshika :)

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  5. You write so well, kishmish ....surabhi, the panda an in chandigarh is part of my bridal things given by nani with each container filled with the requisite kattha choona etc.

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    1. Oh ok..dadi's or nani's.. each is precious. Still intend to grab it one day :)

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  6. Hey it's a beautiful piece ...the paan Daan has become more beautiful with the words..:)))

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    1. Thank you Shalini Di, for stopping by. Glad you liked the post. Must stop by more often :)

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  7. very very nicely written, and that is a gorgeous pan daan!

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    1. Thanks so much Padmamanasa ! Am glad you enjoyed reading the post :)

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  8. Wow! You own such a beauty :) lovely Paan-daan! Its a treat really for all paan lovers (count me in too). Due to my bias for paans and the antiques I have to say I loved this one the most! :) mazaa aa gaya, thanks you wrote it!

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    1. Thank you so much Priya, your words are music to the ears :) It gives me so much happiness when I hear someone enjoys what I write. Keep reading the blog, ok ? :-)

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    2. Definitely! Ur blog is somethg I will look frward to. Each post is precious :)

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  9. Very well written Karishma......I too have memories of an antique paan daan in my house which always remained in my dadi's custody. We were so fascinated by the box and yes the sanrauta....how can I forget that which was used to cut the beetle nuts.....Karishma, you made me nostalgic.....

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    1. :-) Thanks Ritu, so wonderful to know this piece has struck a chord with you somewhere.

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  10. Your posts are a treat to read :) Lovely paa daan, makes for memories for a lifetime!

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    1. So glad you enjoy reading them Ambika, makes me really happy to hear this, thanks :-) Yes, the 'paan-daan' is stuck with us, whether it likes it or not :-)

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  11. Love the interesting things in the nooks and corners of your home :)

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  12. Enjoyed reading your blog. Love your paan daan.

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    1. Thank you so much Reshma. My paan-daan and I are both very glad to see you here :-)

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  13. oh I have a paan daan too... but its not as gorgeous as yours *smiles*

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    1. Knowing your amazing taste am sure its a stunner, thank you :-)

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