TODDY SHOP at Nedumudi

I recently visited Ponga shap( a toddy shop at Nedumudi). The location is really beautiful. Shap is on the left side of the road while we are travelling from Alappuzha to Changanacherry. On the right side is acres and acres of paddy field that gives greenary to our eyes. It is about 5 kilometers from Alappuzha after Pallathuruthy Palam. They supplied pure sweet toddy in a big mug , Kappa(Tapioca), and meen ( fish varieties like Varal, Karimeen), kakka thoran and Kada meat. I made friendship with farmers like Karimeen chellappan, his main job is fishing karimeen. Occasionally he catch varals also. On our meeting day, he went for harvesting of paddy, it is a time consuming job with less wage. " I went just to support pennals( lady labourers) , because they couldn't do it alone", chellappan said. He sang some beautiful folk songs also. My friend Narayanankutty offered a bottle Kallu(toddy) to Chellappan and his friend. They finished 8 bottles of Kallu, one bottle costs Rs.30/- . They said they daily earn 300 to 500 rupees by selling their catch. While saying it, chellappan's dark tooth shined in the yellow light. "Look dear, I am 60, still young earning good money and enjoying life . when ever you be in this way, please call in this number. I will be ready to give company to you", Chellappan said and given the number -0477-2173540. He said, " The harvest machine is a big failure in Kuttanad beaause the field is not suit for machine. Now, the machines are going back and the labourers have taken that position. " I don't know he is right or not. One thing is sure, on the left side of the road, there is a toddy shap that supplies sweet toddy.