Javvu Mittai/ Bombay Mittai

If you are the 80s or 90s South Indian Kid, you need no introduction to the Bombay Mittai. The distinct clap of two hollow bells and the toy flute mimicking " Pappa! Pappa! (Children! Children!)" will bring things to a halt. Children would scurry to dip into their piggy bank or pester their parents for a coin or two. All this commotion to welcome their very own Pied Piper, the Bombay Mittai Vendor.

He is the magician of our times who can weave anything out of his Mittai into a reality. Be it a humble flower to a delicate peacock, his skilled hand would manifest anything we could think of. His Mittai Stick itself is a work of art. A long bamboo or wooden stick with a Doll on top of it all decked up and would clap with a pull of a string. The Multicolour Mittai is then wrapped around the shaft and comes down all the way to the reach of his hand. The vendor will also have a Toy flute to call out to his tiny customers.

Two decades back, the Bombay Mittai was one of the first interactions of Children towards color, imagination, and design.

With the increase of more and more packed candies available everywhere, this Bombay Mittai has dwindled down. However, it is still survived by a few people who do it out of passion, and you can still spot one if you are in luck.

Photography @ashwin_yoganand