Those People from the Past

Introduction

Many were the awesome men and women who passed by the streets and homes of Colombo providing support, maintenance, and services to the families who lived in the small towns.

These folks hailed from all communities and were skilled in various arts of culinary, domestic, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, baking, preparation of spices and pickles, and other similar services, that were much required by most families.

This work is meant to remember them and be thankful for their support, without which, life would have been extremely tough in that era.

 ***

Those People from the Past

Historical chronicles have recorded that the earliest known inhabitants of Ceylon were two groups of people referred to as “Yakkas” and “Nagas”. Not much is known about them and their ancestry except that it is very possible that they came from North East Africa. Since then we have seen the arrival of the Sinhalese from Bengal, South Indians from Tamil Nadu, Malayalees from Kerala, Gujuratis from North West India, Arabs from the Middle East and Malays from the Indonesian Arechipelago. The European colonials arrived sometime in the 15 century with the Portuguese, Dutch and then the British following, in that order. Many a legacy has been left behind by the progeny of all these ethnic groups of people from ancient times.

It was while researching the genealogy of my maternal ancestors that I stumbled upon a burgher lady named, Ms Pompeus, who was supposed to the governess who taught English, Reading, and Piano, to my maternal grandma’s father, MLMH Shareef, and his siblings, Sakeena and Haseena. The Marikar Haji family members, as they were referred to, belonged to the “Jemmi” ootar (family group) in those times. They were living down Messenger Street then, probably sometime in the mid/late 1800s. Families within the Moor community had nicknames that identified them since most of the Moor family names were very similar. Eg Marikkar, Lebbe, Sulaiman, Hassen (Ossen), Haji etc.

Discussing this interesting snippet of information that is so closely related to our progeny I thought it would be a great idea in trying to recall all those wonderful personages from the past, who had links with our families, that we could dig out and share.

Another burgher lady, Ms Speldewinde, was the governess for Sithy Fathima Ismail (Mrs Jabir A Cader) and her siblings who all lived in Colombo. She too taught music, reading, English language, and cookery.

Our large family home at Bambalapitiya, where we were born and raised since the mid 40s, was always inundated with visitors, both family and non family. Some were house help. Others were various people who had contacts with our grandparents since times gone by.

Beebee Datha, a short buxom lady, clad in her white lacy “thuppattee” (cloak), used to come to visit us all the way from Dematagoda, frequently. She knew almost every Moor family in Colombo and visited all of them regularly. This gave her access to inside family information about whos who and she evolved into a very successful marriage broker for many young people. Arranged marriages were the order of the day then.

She was also a very welcome guest at all the domestic events like kandoori’s, engagements, weddings, circumcisions, khatams (alms giving), etc. She was also a very valuable source of information about the local gossip in town. Yet, she was loved by all and a very lovable person to know although she was very strong of mind.

Musthafa Nana, an almost blinding old man, who hailed from the eastern province, was an amazing book binder. His sight issues didn’t deter him from turning out old books into almost new editions using his self-taught skills. He was a short man, who wore a sarong and shirt, greying hair, and used to flit about hither and thither across most Moor homes in Colombo.

He was also extremely useful in lending a hand during events and family gatherings.

AaminaUmma, was a thin and tall lanky lady who used to prepare Moorish sweets galore and bring them over on a tray for sale. She was slightly deaf and had to be spoken loud to be heard. In turn she also spoke loud as she could not hear herself. She had a great spread of delicacies which we kids simply loved and grandma used to always purchase many items from her for us to relish. She too walked along the Galle Road, going house to house to sell her sweets and was known to most Moor families in Colombo. She also hailed from Dematagode Road like Beebee Datha. They probably knew each other well? Her tray was always filled with sweet pancakes, sweet kunafa, pineapple toffee, dodol, musket, cheenakka, sheenimaa, and various other sweets. As kids we were delighted when she set foot into our home. She later performed the pilgrimage of Hajj, travelling on the deck of a ship, using her earnings from the sweets she sold. An amazing lady. May she be blessed and rest in peace.

“Pasthol”, was the name given to a big burly old man from Slave Island who used to bring delicious hot pasthols (extra large patty), filled with baabath (tripe), on weekend evenings. Weused to play cricket on Sundays at Grandma’s place, and the arrival of Mr Pasthol at 4pm during tea break was always welcomed by all.

George Charles Alvis, the driver, who hailed from the south. Grandpa hired him to live in with us and drive his Austin A40 in the 60s. He was a great artist who filled the garage walls with some fabulous works of his own creation.

He was also quite a handyman around the house. He ended up marrying Nancy, who used to visit our home to assist Mum with the cooking. I believe they lived happily ever after.

SK Wilson, lived next door at 298, and helped with the gardening and other odd jobs. Later he was hired by the Chartered Bank to work as a laborer and spent many years there successfully.

Alice, worked as a maid in the house next door that belonged to Ms Spillers. She was an active middle aged lady who was quite vocal and outgoing in the neighborhood. No idea what happened to her after I left home in 1974.

Siriwardene was the master tailor/cutter at Ms Spillers. He was much sought after by the Colombo elite for turning out ladies suits and dresses for weddings and other occasions. He ended up marrying one of the tailoring girls,

Hema, and lived at the Spillers home for several years. Sadly, he died in a train-car accident that he was involved in many years later.

The Spillers home was a tailoring outlet where Mrs Spillers and her sister, Clementine lived with their staff, a whole host of domestics, drivers and a large number of dogs. The house was large and faced castle Lane, and had a huge backyard with lots of fruit and flower trees.

A whole bunch of women used to visit the house on a regular basis to assist in many odd jobs in the kitchen.

There was AhmedUmma who was a specialist in preparing spices that were ground and mashed by hand. AdukaderUmma was the specialist to pound and prepare rice and other grains for making breads. Paalamma and Sandanam, were also another two women who helped with the cooking. They also went over to 298 Galle Road, next door and also to our aunts homes down lily Avenue in Wellawatte. Thajubee was another lady who frequented most homes in Wellawatte.

“Ratharang”, meaning gold because he sported a gold tooth, owned as black bull and cat which he allowed to graze in our backyard. The cart was also parked in oir front yard for safety. He used it to transport goods which was a common mode of transportation in that era.

Richard Aiya was the local tough guy who lived across the street down one of the small alleys that went down eastward. He and his cohorts ran the New Wellington Sports club on the land side of Galle Road adjacent to Davidson Road. Here they played billiards and sbooker and also collected bets for English horse racing. There was also some moonshine being sold at the back. Many were the folks in the neighborhood who patronized the place. He had a huge eagle with wings spread tattooed on his back. His son, Piya, was also another tough guy of a lesser generation. The poor chap died in a train accident.

“Jumping Jesus” was an elderly Burgher lady, who was mentally disturbed and used to hobble along Galle Road, hopping around, forwhich she got her name.

Rufiya Beebee was also another lady with mental issues who walked up and down shouting four letter words at

many families she used to know when she was sane. They both lived on the street and survived.

Dompe was a short and quiet guy who walked the Galle

Road and visited our homes seeking some handout.

He rarely spoke a word. Just stood there in silence until we gave him something and then he went away. We, as kids, were mortally afraid of the man.

The Book Man, was alays welcome in our home. He rode a bicycle with all his books stashed on the rear. He had a wide range of novels, comics, magazines etc which he sold and also gave us on a read and return basis for a small rental. We, truly, enjoyed his books.

MarthAkka, was the fish vendor from Moratuwa who never failed to drop in and serve my paternal grandma at her bedside. She carried all her fish on a basket which she kept on her head and travelled by bus all the way to Colombo every single day. I remember Grandma bargaining with her in “Shillings”. Three Shillings was Rs 1.50 then.

Fonseka was also another poor guy who used to pop in seeking a handout. He was also a quiet chap and we didn’t bother with him too much. The elders gave him something and sent him away.

MP Piyasena, a young man, hailed from the south and took over the old AMS Nadar grocery store in the 60s. His shop had everything from dry rations to newspapers. The owners of the Nadar shop left to India we were told.

Gintota Stores, was a small grocery store located on the

Galle Road, at the top of Davidson Road. They sold a variety of dry rations and groceries and were patronized by many consumers who lived around the block.

“Toffee”, (aka Rathu) clad in his red turban and sarong used to be the guy who delivered the lunch plates to school kids and officer workers in the 60s. His clearing house was located down Thurstan Road where all the delivery guys assembled and redistributed the plates according to destination. He got his name “Toffee” purely because he used to distribute sweets to the school kids as he went alog his daily routine. He was also called “Rathu” cos of the red color he sported.

The Milk Man used to cycle by the house each morning at 5am and drop off the bottle of fresh cow milk into the trap door that was set up at the back of our house. He carried asllhis bottles of milk in a saddle with long pockets that was spread across the bar of the bike.

The Pingo Man was the fruit and vegetable seller in our neck of the woods. He carried his wares in two baskets tied up to a long pole that he balanced on his shoulders and walked the streets, selling them.

The Scrap Man (Bothal Karaya) used to call over to collect whatever iron, plastic, wooden, paper, glass and other scrap material that we owned for which we had no more use for. He used to weigh the stuff and pay us a price for it which we used for knickknacks.

The Bola Nool Man (Parana Coat) ylinders placed on bullock carts in the 60s. The man used to ring a bell in order to make us aware of his presence within the street

and we collected the oil in bottles or jars from a tap affixed to his oil barrel. Keresone and Coconut oil was also sold in a similar manner.

The Bombai Muttai (cotton sugar candy) Man was always welcome in his cart where he churned out huge helpings of the sweet for a few cents.

Another favorite of ours was the Godamba Roti (thin flat foldable bread) cart Man who set out in the evenings in time for dinner. Everyone relished his plain and egg roti’s.

Boiled Kadalay (Chickpeas) mixed with coconut pieces and chillie was another favorite that was peddled in carts along the streets of Colombo.

The Pineapple Man went around, door to door, dishing out his sliced pineapple laced with chillie and salt. He carried his fruit in a basin, which he placed on his head.

Veralu Achcharu (Olive Pickle) was another favorite of ours that we relished from the street vendors who sat at the entrance of schools and public places.

Ms Kelaart visited my wife, Shirani Ibrahims place, to teach piano. She was a very strict yet kind lady. How many times she had to repeat "Fur Elise" to get it spot on.

Mr Karunaratne was our Sinhala Language tuition master who came over on his mo-bike in the evenings to drill the second language into our heads.

Elephant House Ice Cream vendor came along on his tricycle and dished out tubs and cones to the kids in the

neighborhood. Our favorite was the Family Block which came in three flavors then.

The Broom & Mop Man plied his trade in a cart filled

with brushes, mops, brooms and other cleaning material along the streets of Colombo, every single day.

South Indian vegetarian fast food was a huge favorite with people in Colombo. Two of the most popular places which served them are Greelands Hotel, down Shrubbery Garden’s, and Saraswathie Lodge on Galle Road, both in Bambalapitiya. The hot favorites were Idli, Dosa, Vadai, with chutney and Sambhar.

Simon hailed from the south and worked as a railway guard on the up country Bandarawela line. He was known to the family from the early 60s and always visited us at home with a huge basket of fruits and vege’s from the

mountains. I still remember his smart blue jacket with its

silver buttons.

Mariam Datha was a buxom middle aged lady who was an expert cook who was called in to cater to most of the

big events that were held at home. She lived down Vihare Lane in Wellawatte and someone had to be sent to pick her up and bring her over whenever she was needed. Her food was simply awesome and all the guests relished her menu.

Uncle Zachariya, always with a cheerful smile on his face, was a frequent visitor to our home since the 60s. He lived down Clifford Place, round the corner from our home, and remained a bachelor all his life. Grandpa used to love chattingto him in the verandah in the evenings. The youngest son of MBM Cassim and ALM Ummu Hany, he hailed from a very prominent and famous Colombo Moor family.

The two South Indian vege restaurants, Ramjee Lodge and Asoka Lodge were located right in front of our home, on the land side of Galle Road. They served the most delicious sizzling hot Vadai which we relished in the evenings. The one armed bandit inside their store was also a great attraction to us young kids.

Podi Singho's Auto Garage was located adjacent to Ramjee Lodge and he, together with his sons, was a specialist in motor bike repairs. Later he upgraded to fixing cars too and was a very popular figure in the neighborhood. 

Kadalay of Royal was the gram seller who sat in the West Wing Lobby and sold various types of gram to the boys. He was true mascot of the school in that he never missed a

single sporting event and was extremely knowledgable about each player in every team of all the sports played at College.

There were many tough guys in the neighborhoods of all the towns in Colombo. They usually gathered together at some corner restaurant for a cuppa and chat and were notorious for their antics. Many of them were also seen at school events like carnivals and cricket matches, where they displayed their muscles and tattoos under shoulder clutching short sleeved T Shirts. Lion House and Mayfair, in Bambalapitiya, were two famous hangout joints for most of these gentlemen.

The Renown Bakery tricycle man ode down our way every morning and evening with his delicious array of bread, raisin buns, crocodile buns and pastries. Every single home stopped him to get their daily needs for breakfast and tea.

Mirbaha Stores was a hardware store located on the land side of Galle Road between Lily Avenue and Collingwood Place. They had everything one wanted from a pin to an elephants cage. They have closed shop at this location and moved their hardware unti frther south towards Boswell Place junction, opposite the Commercial Bank branch.

Regal Pharmacy, on Galle Road at the top of 41^st Lane in Wellawatte, was a well patronized enterprise run by a young Tamil couple who had invested their savings into the business. They provided their customers with medication as well as many other canned food.

Rizwie Bookshop, originally Zackariya’s Bookshop, was the place in Wellawatte to buy all your school books and work books. It is located adjacent to Mirbaha Stores in Wellawatte.

Regal Pharmacy, on Galle Road at the top of 41^st Lane in Wellawatte, was a well patronized enterprise run by a young Tamil couple who had invested their savings into the business. They provided their customers with medication as well as many other canned food.

The William Grinding Mills, on the landside of galle Road at the helm of Hospital Road, was a most sought after place for people who needed spices ground to powder.

They have also closed up and moved to Hill Street in Dehiwela. The place is now run as a car showroom for Dumminda Motors.

The “One Cent toffee” man, clad in a dusty white sarong, held up by a thick black belt, and sporting a dark colored coat was seen around every cricket and rugby ground in the 60s. He sported a Hitler style moustache, looked tough yet weary, and never missed a single sports event in order to sell his home made sweets, which he carried in a brown colored duffle bag. The lozenge was a tiny orange colored sliver of a barley sugar sweet, wrapped in tissue paper, and cost just one cent only. It was rock hard and hence stayed long in the mouth while the boys sucked on its sweetness and flavor while enjoying watching the match. The old man used to be seen walking up and down the grounds, where the boys sat, crying out, “one cent, one cent toffee.” Every single one of you must have surely tasted his sweet, without any doubt?

Bella, aka the Balloon man, ran a small cart filled with all types of goodies at the entrance of Royal College. He got his name from selling balloons in the old days.

The Outside-Man, as we used to call him, another vendor located his cart opposite to Bella’s cart. He also offered similar goodies as Bella did. During the big match days both vendors sold flags, rattles, and other match stuff.

Radio Ceylon, offered an array of commercial radio programs that delivered a great variety of music on air. Even the Indians in Madras, Bombay, Bangalore, and Delhi used to tune in. We still talk about those awesome anchors like Jimmy Barucha Chris Greet, Vijaya Corea, Vernon Corea, Bevil Palehiwardena, & Mahes Perera.

Buhary Hotel, on Deans Road in Maradana, was the place to enjoy a sumptuous chicken biriyani in Colombo. Grandpa used to take us there for lunch every month when we accompanied him to the CMC to collect his pension.

AbuNavas, was a tall and lanky gentleman from the Moor community who knew every single Moor address in Colombo. He was effectively utilized by the Moor families to distribute wedding invitations to the guests. AbuNavas would arrange all the envelopes by town and street order, place them in a pouch, and take a bus to hand deliver them personally to each address. Mailing of invitations only started after people like him had moved on.

“Master Chef Mamma Ghouse. Specialist for all big & small occasions. Biriyani, Stringhopper Biriyani, Wella (White) Biriyani, Naaladi Sheer, Samoosa, special Cutlets, Thakkadi, etc. He used to cook for 100-5000 guests together with his golayas (helpers), ZainulAbdeen, Aman, Fowzy, Adam, etc.

His Father was a great cook, and also his mother was my grandmother Ayesha Umma’s (wife of Notharis Abdul Rahman “Poona Kan” - Cats eye dealer in Gems). chef. The Family of Mamma Ghouse were living with my paternal grandmother. His sibling is Fowzy, who did most of household chores marketing, etc. After my grandparents they were living at my uncle ARM Mukthars place.

Mamma Ghouse later moved to Azhar Ameen’s place at Ward Place.

Pilawoos, down Keyzer Street in the Pettah was the place for Indian food. Run by a Malayalee family from Kerala it

was patronized by all communities who indulged in non veg menus.

The taste and delicacy of their food is not even matched today by the many similar restaurants that have popped up across the towns of Colombo.

The Royal Sweet Meat Mart was an Indian sweet manufacturer, run by Davoodbhoy Dosajee, a Davoodhi Bohra family in Colombo. All their sweets were prepared to a very high standard of quality, in pure ghee, and patronized by all members of the Colombo community. As kids, we were taken there by our granbdpa every month when we accompanied him to the CMC to collect his pension.

Since of late many similar sweet shops have opened up in Colombo but not of the same quality as the original.

The Canal View Stores & Hotel located on the seaside of Galle Road where the Wellawatte bridge begins was always famous for its seeni sambol bun. All the school kids and even adults who patronized the vicinity never failed to pop in and relish their pastry. It was owned and managed by Danny Ratnapala and his family. They hailed from deep down South of Ceylon and were extremely good at manufacturing and delivering pastries and food.

Piccadilly Café was started by Aleric de Silva Wimalaratne who established his first Ice Cream business in Sri Lanka under the brand name of “Alerics” in 1949.

Initially the ice cream made in his plant was sold by Mr. Wimalaratna himself and subsequently he entered the retail market of Colombo and down south.

This was done through ice cream vans which sold Alerics

Ice Cream at public places such as playgrounds, religious places, carnivals, and other sporting and entertainment events.

The business celebrated its success by opening the very first Ice Cream Parlour called Piccadilly Café in Wellawatta which was one of the most exclusive hang-out places in the 1960s.

Piccadilly was also the first ice cream parlor/cafe that installed a juke box in Ceylon, with discs of Elvis, Cliff, Ricky, Jim and other atistes, in the 60s. Youngsters enjoyed playing the music at 25 cents per track. Some even danced inside the café and let loose a limb or two. A scoop of plain ice cream also cost 25 cents.

A locksmith used to ply his trade, seated on the pavement,

outside the Wellawatte Post Office. He had a wide range of keys that he was able to duplicate or replace for people who had lost them.

The Knife Sharpener, came along on his bicycle with his mechanical contraption fixed on the rear end, which had a large spinning wheel to turn the contraption that made the rough grinding wheel spin, to sharpen the knives. As kids we were all very excited to see the sparks flying off the blades as they were being abrased on the rough grinding surface.

Chutti Boutique (chutti=small) was a small boxed shop that was located in the premises of the large Nohmanbhoy villa on the seaside of Galle Road, at the top of Castle Lane, across the boundary wall. They sold all sorts of knickknacks, sweets, cigarettes and miscellaneous stuff.

The Lottara Kadey was located opposite the Chutti Boutique, adjacent to KVG de Silva Book Shop. His enterprise was similar to the Chutti Boutique and catered mainly to the boys of St Peters’ College, which was located a stone throws away. He got his name on account of the lottery he used to offer, on a board with numbers and various gift items.

*