CHAATWALA

Small business thrives between the arches and pillars of Connaught Place and food items are a big market. Situated on the end of F Block the chaatwala does a thriving trade. Chaat is a staple savoury Indian snack food. There is no equivalent to compare it to.

The stall occupies two by one metres raised off the ground on boxes with a bright red plastic table cover as a skirt. Atop, the platform is full of food stuffs. Mounds of dry cereal, reminisce of cornflakes, rice bubbles and vermicelli sit in large round trays. The mound is supported with a ring of cardboard and a ring of whole red tomatoes. Smaller quantities of different varieties are housed in clear plastic tubes. In other piles are gram and fried dals. The centre mounds add colour, finely diced onion, coriander and tomato.

Towards the creator are piles of paper and foil corrugated plates, short paddle pop sticks by the hundreds and hand made recycled newspaper bags. Directly in front are stainless steel containers filled with spicy chutney and tamarind water. The final ingredient, freshly squeezed limes, sitting in plastic bags. The store offsider squats on the pavement and prepares kilos of onion on a sack, acting as protection from the street and cutting board. The sack is lifted and emptied onto the existing pile replenishing stock, tomatoes next.

Sevpuri is the speciality of this stall. It is a dry chaat. Patrons have access to three sides of the stall and gather. The preparation is as much theatrical spectacle as skill. All within reach, ingredients are spooned into a bowl in quick succession on hearing the order. The dry ingredients first, then diced, followed by chutney and/or sauce. The whole is tossed vigorously combining the ingredients and flavours together then slid into a takeaway plate topped by two wooden 'spoons'. The plates hold the piled content but are flimsy, the spoons flat and it requires attention to consume lest it spills to the red ochre marble pavers.

Custom is brisk and continuous. There are always patrons around the stall, no one minding the wait, nor the price. There is enough for one or to share and it obviously fills a hole. A brief respite and the creator wipes his hands, adjusts his position and has a chai. The chaiwalas and coffeewalas are constantly roving with the their undertone call of ' chai, chai ' or ' coffee, coffee, coffeeeeee ' ensuring that all have heard and don't miss the opportunity, not knowing they needed.

A constant stream of smaller entrepreneurs carry and ply their goods, socks, cards, shoeshine, ear cleaners, selfie sticks, drinks, while mobile ice cream carts ( Kwality in red or the yellow and blue of Mother Dairy ) are nearby. A laden drinks cart has all manner of soft drink available, either take away plastic or drink here glass bottles.

Satisfied with their snack, eaten at a standstill or seated on uncomfortable round marble stools, all dispose of the waste before continuing.