CFC / CHOLAKATHU FRIED CHICKEN

 Lamentations of an Amma, a loving mother,  and the striking comment by a doting father

The parents were both employed. They were never rich. It was a middle class family. They survived with their salaries. However they managed to provide the best education to their children. The children studied well. The daughter became a doctor and has migrated. The son has a good job. He stays with his parents. His wife too has a good job. Their children are well  looked after by the doting grandparents.

The grandmother was recently lamenting. She says though she prepares quality food, the children are dissatisfied. They clamour for KFC.

The mother in order to pacify them would order for KFC to be delivered at home. The children become happy. They enjoy the food.  They would be on their mobiles as they relish the food. 

However the leftovers  are left on the table for clean up by the grandmother.

The grandfather commented, in the good old days, 'nammal nellu kuthi choru thinnumayirunnu'. (We were pounding the paddy to eat rice)

'Ennal innu mobile kuthi choru thinnunnu'. (Today, we pound the mobile and eat the rice)

It took me to our Valiammachi, Grandmother, at Cholakathu House, our ancestoral home.. The eruthil, teh cow shed,  had a tiny room adjacent. I could see her there all the time with the maid, busy on the ural (Grinder) and the ulakka (Cylindrical wooden instrument to pound paddy and to bring out the rice). 

Their efforts had ensured incessant serving of food to the large  family three times a day. Those were the days when we relished CFC - Cholakathu Fried Chicken. 

KFC was yet to make its mark in the world.