Ramaswamy, an elderly resident of Bachur Malavarakshi Toppu village near Orathanadu in Thanjavur district, is currently 110 years old. For the past decade, he has been actively involved in crafting agapai (Ladle) for the Pongal festival, showcasing his dedication to hard work at his advanced age. Additionally, every year, a month before the arrival of summer, he creates fan bats, which he sells during the festival.
The elderly gentleman mentioned that he initiated the production of agapai for the Pongal festival three months back. Currently, he is crafting over 500 agapai and selling a pair at the rate of Rs 40.
At 110 years old, Ramaswamy attributes his good health to the traditional diet he consumed, including rice flour and gum paste. He emphasizes avoiding modern diets and mentions his lack of harmful habits such as drinking, smoking, and tobacco use. In addition to his healthy lifestyle, he has been crafting agapai for the Pongal festival for the past decade and also engages in making fan bats.
Ramaswamy shared that he maintains strong teeth by using neem while brushing. He follows a balanced diet, including both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, with a preference for the former. Expressing dedication, he mentioned continuing to craft agapai for another ten years if given the opportunity. He plans for his son and daughter-in-law to handle the sale of these bags.
Agapai or ladle, a cooking tool for soups and stews, generally consists of a long handle ending in a deep bowl. While designs may vary, the bowl is often angled to aid in lifting liquid from a pot and transferring it to a bowl. Some ladles incorporate a pointed side on the basin for a more controlled pour, but this can be challenging for left-handed users. To address this, many ladles have pinches on both sides to accommodate users of different preferences.
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