It’s every (specially me)girl’s dream when they were little to have a tiny kitchen similar to their Amma’s kitchen.

I still remember my first miniature cooking set made of wood that was gifted to me by my grand parents when i was 5 years old. And after that every year till the age of 15, I used to collect these little kitchen utensils. I’ve lost most of them now, but I still treasure a few for my kids to play in future.

During my summer holidays, I used to play with them along with my cousins. We either fake cook food with leaves, flowers and grain or get things cooked from the kitchen by our aunts and have our own kitty party.

I still remember the days I used to trouble my amma, asking her to sit with me when I used to cook food with fire using the soppu sama. I used to admire my amma cooking in the kitchen and imitate her cooking with my kitchen set.

But over the years, the I lost interest in playing with them, reason may be my parents want me to study rather than play.

Once I had to gift my little nieces for their first birthday. Had no idea what to get for them. I glanced many shops for these soppu saman, but couldn’t find any. They were replaced by readymade fancy kitchen sets and doll houses which are priced average to max. But its not the same as the miniature ones that I used to buy during temple festivals and thiruvizha which prices from Rs.5 to a max of Rs.30 made out of clay, wood, stainless steel, soap stone, plastic. Anyway I managed to buy the similar one that I used to have for my nieces for their birthday .

Back to our topic, In early 90’s there used to be only few things like plates, kadai, stove, spoons and serving bowls. In recent days, I really admire the craftsmanship and the delicate detail work that takes place to make these little utensils which is less than 10cm in height and width. they almost replicate the big utensils that are used in day to day kitchen. A huge variety of vessels starting from plates, stove, kadai to hawkins cooker are now available. Also these tiny utensils can be customized by craftsman living in Cuddalore(famous for clay pots and toys) Channapatna(famous for wooden toys) and Chennai

Kudos to all those youtube channels, who post cooking videos using the soppu saman. It takes me back my memory lane. Few of my favorite channels below

The Tiny Food https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHPKIXAkP3VuBLgmYe9dHPg

Miniature Cooking Show https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh7Lw6Wna_Qask4WZLrcZeQ

On a serious note, I wish we could get these soppu saman and wooden toys for our little kids, rather than getting them highly priced toys, plastic toys. Our next generation may see the history repeats itself and may play with such “soppu samaan”.

C U LL soon in my next blog — With Luv Paru

Thanks for joining me!

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