FERDI-MY FRIEND IN DABOLIM, GOA
In my childhood days, my Ija (mother) told me many stories. One of these was that of 'Kabuliwallah'. Little then I knew that I will be meeting a live 'Poiwallah ( पोई वाला') in my friend Ferdi & recite the story of 'Poi'(पोई) of Goa especially to those who have not had this wonderful native product.
My grandson came running to me to say that the Poiwallah had arrived outside Palms-our home and was blowing the horn.This was a typical & interesting innovation somewhat like we had on old ROADWAYS/KMOU Buses but small & dainty.It produced shrill sounds- enough to attract the attention of people.Soon they would come down to purchase the 'poi'.
Since it was my first encounter with the 'Poiwallah', my grandson Arjun escorted me to the road side.My grandson was very excited & he started narrating the names of various 'pois' & bakery products like 'katri pao','Kadak Pao','loni', 'gavachi bhakri' & so on.
Arjun then showed me the electric scooter carrying a huge container that house the bakery products & also showed me a rectangular cardboard box having vegetarian & non vegetarian patties.It also had cream roles-much smaller in size compared to our bakeries up North.
It was exact 6 O'clock PM.
'Good Evening Sir', I am Fernandez ( you may call me Ferdi-if you please.I come at this place every day at 6 in the morning & at the same time in the evening.I have been delivering 'pois' regularly to your people.
I was highly impressed with his demeanour, body language & mannerism & we immediately became friends.
Later in the evening, while we were walking near Jai Ram Nagar,we saw him approaching us.He stopped ,promptly wished us in impeccable English & said that all his products were sold out.Luckily, I had purchased enough & more 'pois' from him in the morning.
He was now relaxed. I , my wife & Arjun were standing in the basement of a multistage building & Ferdi started briefing us.
"You know, the Portugese introduced bread making techniques to us Goans in the 16th Century.They taught the local bakery techniques as they could not import bread from Portugal for obvious reasons.This was the creation of rustic mud bakery concept that has kept our family traditions alive.
"What Portugese did was that they replaced traditional yeast by local 'toddy'(palm sap) to create fermentation to create a floppy bread in clay ovens( wood fired).
"The Portugese taught the local Cardo Community(Former Khatriyas, Varni's etc converted to Christianity ) this innovative art.
"Today, 'poi' has become a 100%unique Goan product rather than imported bread.
"In entire Goa, there are more than 100 such Goan Bakers known as 'podars'.
"The word 'podar' is derived from Portugese 'padeiro'.
"Today 'poi'has become a part & parcel of local cuisine.
"Mr Godinho is 80 years old & runs one of the biggest wood fired ovens at Majorda.He still prepares the dough.you must visit his bakery"
Suddenly I realized that we had taken almost an hour of Ferdi's time.I apologized.
He replied that his work in the bakery would start at 2 AM & this cycle has continued ever since he grew up in family traditions.
Salute to you my dear Ferdi- my friend.
As we prepare to return home, I intend carrying as many 'pois' - the Air India can permit us to carry.
