Long ago, we siblings were passing through out childhood. We had an old house at that time with an open kitchen on the two sides. The kitchen was like a veranda allowing air passage from both sides and no heat was felt. During winter, these open sides were covered with tarpaulin, so that the wood burnt in the kitchen can provide comforting heat. We used to consume fresh food cooked on wood. There was not issue of light during the day and lantern was lit on night to have a light.
This open kitchen in Punjabi language was called as “Chalani” but this not Urdu languages ‘chalani’. This is derived from the word “Cholhe Aani” which means a place with stove.
In this “chilani”, a wooden box with four or six compartments was definitely kept to store salt, pepper, turmeric and hot spices. All necessary spices were kept there. And on top was a sliding tray made of wood, which was slid out when needed to take out salt, pepper, etc. and then closed again and placed on the floor or on a net basket (a basket with a net).
A long time passed with this “chilani”, such boxes and trend continued for decades.
But, afterwards the “chilani” developed and turned into a “kitchen” and this spice box also became obsolete… It was replaced by various plastic boxes… Walls were built on the open sides of the kitchen and the storage of utensils and equipment was made into a “parchhati” which is today called as shelf. Natural gas convenience reduced the used of wood as fuel.
Even then, we would eat our meals sitting in the kitchen… Instead of teacups, cups came… and instead of lanterns, oil lamps with “mantles” were installed.
Then time took another turn… The name of the same kitchen was changed once and it started being called “kitchen”. When the kitchen became modern, freezers, refrigerators, and ovens were also introduced… Modern kitchen cabinets made of wood and veneer sheets replaced shelves… More than one set of Chinese-made spices started to be found… If we wanted to heat food, the food would be heated in the oven in a minute…
There is so much load shedding of gas, now LPG gas cylinders are also necessary to prepare food… And induction hot plates too… Other spices were also introduced whose names I had never even heard of in my childhood…
But this same modern kitchen picked us up and threw us out too. Now food is only prepared in the kitchen. People eat in their own rooms… That desire, that hospitality, the simple meals cooked with love by mother’s hands, when I remember them, my heart sighs… Opportunities for siblings to get together still come, but back then it was a daily routine… It was a very simple and very good time that will never come back…
