Lost Symbol

This has got nothing to do with Dan Brown or Illuminati. No qualms about plagiarism, the title is incidental and truly symbolic to this article. Tried many other titles, but none else can do justice to the contents herein.

How many of you can really relate to the expressions here, is a question I deliberately put off. Vegetarians better keep off. I can hear some of you say, ‘why such a build-up’.

Moving in..

Mutton (Goat-meat) had been very precious to many of us for various reasons. Compared to Chicken, it maintains a 3X rate and to Seer (Vanjaram) Fish, it is maintained at 1.5 times. Current day cost is Rs 550. Some statisticians may differ in this pricing-data, also according to locations. Owing to costs, it is also not bought frequently. So, Sundays or on few other days when we have guests, become auspicious to have Mutton.

Traditionally, Mutton had been the most-sought after dish for all non-vegetarians. It is very rich in taste, texture, calories and especially its aromatic gravy can seldom be expressed in words. Any shortcomings in flesh normally is made good with boiled potatoes. Mutton can gel well with any course, be it a rice-meal, rotis or even baked-bread.

Time spent in biting a thigh or a knee-bone, called ‘Nalli’, with some flesh around and with brown-black pulpy marrow inside, cooked deeply with spices and powdered-chilly, is revered as the cherishing moments. It is the Symbol of Power or sometimes Great Attention.

In a patriarchal society like ours, the Dad always does the honors. As he grows older, maternal Uncle (eldest – if many are there) tends to gain the Symbol. Later, as the eldest-of-Sons grows up, he gets it by default. Then comes the Son-in-Law. Thus, the Nalli- the Symbol of Attention, being sought-after goes to the one most-sought-after. Mothers plan and distribute the curries with such discipline, even by mistake this Symbol would not get mis-placed or mis-taken in bigger special family gatherings too.

Now, increasing affordability, other foods being available aplenty, nuclear families, focused groups, have made ‘Nalli’ not so reverent. With time, this Symbol has long been Lost.