Aathi Kalathu Nei Mittai Kadai, more than 130 years old shop in Madurai serving traditional sweets and savouries that evoke nostalgia

Aathi Kalathu Nei Mittai Kadai, more than 130 years old shop in Madurai serving traditional sweets and savouries that evoke nostalgia From wheat halwa and nei mittai to the spicy pottalam, Aathi Kalathu Nei Mittai Kadai continues to serve traditional sweets and.

Key points

• Spicy cone-shaped pottalam at Aathi Kalathu Nei Mittai Kadai near Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai.
• When there was a vegetable market near the shop, for Narasiman, the snack brings back memories of the neighbourhood from the 1980s.
• Located at East Avani Moola Street, opposite the Nandhi statue, Madurai.
• S Narasiman Sundaresan, who at present runs the shop, states the place was began by his forefather, G Muthuswamy Chettiar.
• For a shop that has been around for more than 130 years, the family has kept things simple.

Spicy cone-shaped pottalam at Aathi Kalathu Nei Mittai Kadai near Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai. Photo Credit: R. ASHOK.

In the bustling streets near the Meenakshi Amman Temple, a small shop continues to draw crowds, just as it has done for generations. The Aathi Kalathu Original Nei Mittai Kadai. It is more than 130 years old, is straightforward to spot near Pudumandapam thanks to its red board. Inside, shelves and the trays are filled with sweets and savouries that have been sold here for decades.

S Narasiman Sundaresan, who at present runs the shop, states the place was began by his forefather, G Muthuswamy Chettiar. It was afterwards run by his son, M Rajamanickam, and, in the 1950s, by N Sundaresan, a close relative and Narasiman's father. Over the years, the family has kept one aspect unchanged – the taste. "We have not added new items just because they are popular now, " notes Narasiman.

He has seen plenty of old sweet shops change over the years. Shops that once sold only sweets and savouries have become bakeries, with cakes, bread, buns, ice cream, cold drinks and a number of other items on their shelves.

"Earlier, a sweet shop was only for traditional sweets and snacks. Now everything is available in the same place, " he notes.

At his shop, the old favourites are still there. Wheat halwa is one of the most popular sweets. Thirattu paal halwa, created with milk and ghee, is additionally popular, especially among younger customers.

For customers who come to the shop, tasting halwa before buying is part of the experience. A small sample of wheat halwa is served on a mantharai leaf. It looks glossy and soft, with the aroma of ghee coming through even before the first bite. A small spoonful melts in the mouth, with the sweetness and ghee coming together well. It is slightly chewy too, almost like a soft piece of chocolate.

Next comes the thirattu paal halwa, additionally served in a mantharai leaf. It is softer and is almost semi-liquid. It does not have the chewiness of wheat halwa; instead, it feels smooth and delicate. While the other is milky and smooth, one is rich and chewy. With different textures and flavours, each dessert has its own set of fans.

Then there is nei mittai, created with crushed groundnuts, jaggery and ghee. Wrapped like a candy, it is a favourite not only among youngsters but additionally among older customers. Narasiman notes it has become particularly popular over the past six years.

They additionally have savouries such as murukku, mixture and ginger pakoda. But one snack comes with a story of its own – pottalam, a spicy preparation created with small onions and chillies. It is packed in a small cone of mantharai leaf, a practice the shop has followed for plenty of years. The traditional way of packing the snack is additionally stated to be the reason nehind its name.

When there was a vegetable market near the shop, for Narasiman, the snack brings back memories of the neighbourhood from the 1980s. Individuals from different parts of Madurai and its neighbouring towns would come to the market early in the morning. Plenty of packed food such as rice kanji from home, and would sit around the area to have breakfast.

"They would buy spicy pottalam to pair with curd rice and kanji, a tasty combination, " he notes.

That is how pottalam became a familiar part of the morning crowd. The market may have changed, but the snack continues to be created at the shop.

There is additionally a routine to the way each snack is prepared here. Work begins at around 6 or 7am every day. Wheat is soaked and processed before it is applied to produce the halwa. The sweets and savouries are prepared fresh in ghee for the day.

Meanwhile, the shop additionally gets orders for family functions. Wheat halwa and boondhi are often ordered for events such as baby showers. With Gokula Ashtami approaching, the shop has already began receiving festival orders.

For a shop that has been around for more than 130 years, the family has kept things simple. While they refrain from adding new items to the menu, Narasiman notes that if customers ask for something new, they will definitely produce it.

And customers do keep coming back. While others purchase their favourite halwa, boondhi, ginger pakoda or a parcel of savouries, some come for a packet of nei mitta I.

In practice, the streets around the shop may be busier now, and people's food habits may have changed. But the Aathi Kalathu Original Nei Mittai Kadai still draws individuals looking for the familiar and comforting sweets and savouries.

Located at East Avani Moola Street, opposite the Nandhi statue, Madurai. Call 9487180422.

For now, aathi Kalathu Nei Mittai Kadai, more than 130 years old shop in remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.