I
Last year I was
asked some questions on roti(Chapati- a
kind of Indian flatbread) during civil services interview-
How does roti fluff up?
Me: When roti put on
fire the moisture in dough of roti converts into steam and, due to more heat,
volume of gas inside the roti increases which causes it to swell.
Are you able to make round rotis like your mother?
Me: Somewhat
(she smiled
sarcastically) and said, "I don't think so"
II
One of my friend got
placed in an MNC based in US. His parents were worried over the fact that he
will not be able to make round chapattis, thus decided to marry him off before
leaving to US. Fortunately they found a girl who can make round chapattis, today
he is eating round chapattis.
III
Few days back, I
went to a temple nearby. Some people were narrating their problems to the
"panditji" and looking for a solution-
Girl1: I am manglik
and my parents are facing some problems in looking up a groom for me. When one
of them visited us, I cooked chapatis in dinner. I don’t know what happened to
me at that time, rottis got distorted in shape. And they concluded that I am
purely manglik that I cant even cook round rottis.
Panditji: Next time
try to cook parathas :P
IV
Mohan yelled at his
newly married wife, "How many times I need to remind you I don’t want to
take tiffin from home, you will never learn how to make round chapattis, and I
no more want to get embarrassed in front of my colleagues". His wife was
concerned about him being hungry daily and practiced for the remaining day. But
probably the priority of round rottis was way above than the basic need of
food.
Most of you would
have guessed the commonalities in all the examples-the fuss over round rottis.
Let us forget about
all these remarks mentioned above, but anyone can please tell me why so much
fuss over round rottis. Think logically, is there really any difference between
a round rotti and a non round one(probably with shape of India, Pakistan or some
amoeba)? Assuming their ingredients(dough) are same with same equipment(rolling
pin, rolling board and hands).
If that is the case,
then why do we eat the close cousins of roti so deliciously-
paratha(triangular or oval), naan, rumali
roti, kulcha. We don’t find any flaw in them.
We humans too come in
all shapes and sizes and nobody is perfect. Then why do we lay down baseless
parameters like a ‘round roti’ to size
up a woman’s personality?
If a person has made
the effort to roll out a roti for you, don’t you need to
thank her
first for making them and satisfying your hunger. Whether they are circular or
not, they are rotis- a kind of food that should be given the respect that it
deserves.
As far as making
round rotis are concerned, it's just an art of practice, and anyone can improve
roti making skills. Neither it is a hallmark of a good girl, nor its absence a
sign of getting your son married.
On the light side- if you are so obsessed with symmetry or perfect round shape, May God shower lots of o(zeros) in your gradesheet :P
On the light side- if you are so obsessed with symmetry or perfect round shape, May God shower lots of o(zeros) in your gradesheet :P