For just Rs 5, you can relish the taste of childhood and nostalgia at this Kumaranalloor stall near Kottayam that sells freshly roasted local produce. The yard of the Kumaranalloor Devi Vilasam Higher Secondary School has been recently turned into a foodie paradise where traditional food items that excite your nostalgia are served.
The stall was opened by a bunch of former students students of the school from the 1983 batch as part of a food festival titled ‘Chooralum Chiriyum’ in the school premises. Interestingly, all the dishes cost Rs 5 and you can enjoy yummy dishes like roasted jackfruit seeds, baked colocasia, tapioca, sweet potato and yam.
The food is served on eco-friendly plates made with palm leaves. The temporary eatery, that was opened as part of the annual Thrikarthika festival of Kumaranalloor Devi Temple, will function from 5 pm to 12 am. You could watch the cultural programs while enjoying a glass of hot chukku kaapi (dried ginger coffee) or chakkara kaapi (jaggery coffee).
The idea to open such an eatery came up as the former students wanted to do something unique as part of the festivities. The alumni created a WhattsApp group and began sharing ideas. G Saji, an alumnus of the school was entrusted to arrange all the facilities.
The eatery was opened on the eve of the first day of the festival. You could spot the old movie posters on the wall of the shop that has a thatched roof. One of alumnus reached the shop on elephant carrying canes. The eatery was inaugurated by feeding the elephant.
The menu board in front of the eatery is sure to elicit laugher from the foodies. The batch of 1983 offers some incredible local dishes that you might have enjoyed as a child. Roasted coconut is the festival special. However, this special item costs Rs 100. The tasty roasted coconut chutney has already become a popular item.
You can pay for the food by dropping the money in the post box that has been placed in front of the shop. Hot water and cold water have been arranged here for the customers. Around 18 members of the alumni association are settled in Kumaranalloor and nearby places. The former students didn’t forget to hang the picture of their favourite teacher Parameshwaran Chettiar on the wall for good luck.
Lemon candies and fizzy candies that were loved by the older generation are sold here. But you should bring old ten paisa coins to buy them. If you do not have the coin, you will be beaten gently on the palm using the cane, just like teachers used to do. Interestingly, audio clippings of conversations between teacher and students in a classroom are played in the background.
