What the...? Strange questions for India experts

kristinm · Feb 13th, 2008, 14:18

As I have at least one question about weird things I saw in India I thought I'd have a go at starting a thread where we can ask for answers to those particularly Indian mysteries... if there already is one feel free to merge this mods.

At Chowpatty beach there was a white robed, white bearded, white haired guru-ish fellow selling round packets of something white from a tray. Oscar went down to ask what he was selling - and came back with the answer 'hair'...

Was he having his leg pulled, or was the man indeed selling packets of hair? His own? Someone elses? and WHY?

piran_e · Feb 13th, 2008, 15:24

The guy was selling a sweetmeat which looks like white hair. It is popularly known as 'Old woman' hair' and hence that answer

shashank.aggarwal · Feb 13th, 2008, 16:43

in west you call it 'candy' or what..I am not getting the right term for it...

Fan of India · Feb 13th, 2008, 16:57

Yep Shashank. - You Are right. This is the Indianised version of 'Candy Floss'

PRIYA · Feb 13th, 2008, 17:01

And sometimes it's pink!!!

iwanttogoback · Feb 13th, 2008, 17:09

oh, you mean fairy floss! yummy.

steven_ber · Feb 13th, 2008, 17:41

Something I've never really known......

All those wonderful coloured powders we see in a market.....

What are they?
Where do they come from?
How are they made?
What's used to colour them?
What are they used for?

and would they make a good sherbet dip?

(none have been as wonderful as those I saw was in an indoor market in Mysore, there must have been 30-40 different ones, all different colours.

Aiexile · Feb 13th, 2008, 17:59

Yeah the guy on Chowpati Beach is a feature there selling 'Budda ka baal' old man's hair, a sweet.
A few weks ago he was there selling in the evening calling 'panch rupiah panch rupiah' (five rupees) and saw me nearing him and without batting an eyelid continued 'ten rupees ten rupees'. We exchanged smiles.

Aiexile.

i_travel_alone · Feb 13th, 2008, 18:03

Its cotton candy.

steven_ber · Feb 13th, 2008, 18:04

And another question.....

Why do many women (mostly in Southern India) cover themselves with tumeric powder (making their skin look pale yellow)?

(I was told why, but I'm hoping the explanation is wrong)

rushie82 · Feb 13th, 2008, 18:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by steven_ber

Something I've never really known......

All those wonderful coloured powders we see in a market.....

What are they?
Where do they come from?
How are they made?
What's used to colour them?
What are they used for?

and would they make a good sherbet dip?

(none have been as wonderful as those I saw was in an indoor market in Mysore, there must have been 30-40 different ones, all different colours.

If you saw those during Diwali time then those were Rangoli powders. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rangoli

htid · Feb 13th, 2008, 18:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by steven_ber

Something I've never really known......

All those wonderful coloured powders we see in a market.....

What are they?
Where do they come from?
How are they made?
What's used to colour them?
What are they used for?

and would they make a good sherbet dip?

(none have been as wonderful as those I saw was in an indoor market in Mysore, there must have been 30-40 different ones, all different colours.

Shhh! You're making me think going all the way up to Mysore is a good idea after all!

matt67 · Feb 13th, 2008, 18:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by steven_ber

And another question.....

Why do many women (mostly in Southern India) cover themselves with tumeric powder (making their skin look pale yellow)?

(I was told why, but I'm hoping the explanation is wrong)

As turmeric is an antiseptic it can help with acne and spots.

besides it also cleanes the skin.

If on the forehead it could be a religious sign...perhaps just visisted the temple

steven_ber · Feb 13th, 2008, 18:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt67

As turmeric is an antiseptic it can help with acne and spots.

besides it also cleanes the skin.

If on the forehead it could be a religious sign...perhaps just visisted the temple

All visible skin, and maybe 2 - 3% of women (of all ages) in south India.

steven_ber · Feb 13th, 2008, 18:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by rushie82

If you saw those during Diwali time then those were Rangoli powders. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rangoli

Thanks Rushie.

The following photo says Rangoli.

http://www.indiamike.com/photopost/s...php?photo=8468

Yet this one says it is to dye.

http://www.indiamike.com/photopost/s...hp?photo=10170

Feb 13th, 2008, 14:18	#1
kristinm Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Beautiful Bondi (not Bundi!) Posts: 1,102	What the...? Strange questions for India experts As I have at least one question about weird things I saw in India I thought I'd have a go at starting a thread where we can ask for answers to those particularly Indian mysteries... if there already is one feel free to merge this mods. At Chowpatty beach there was a white robed, white bearded, white haired guru-ish fellow selling round packets of something white from a tray. Oscar went down to ask what he was selling - and came back with the answer 'hair'... Was he having his leg pulled, or was the man indeed selling packets of hair? His own? Someone elses? and WHY? Last edited by Sama : Feb 13th, 2008 at 19:23.

Feb 13th, 2008, 16:43	#3
shashank.aggarwal The Meet Up Guru Join Date: May 2007 Location: ~ Dilli ~ Posts: 4,163	in west you call it 'candy' or what..I am not getting the right term for it... __________________ Travelogue - Around India Random Reviews

Feb 13th, 2008, 17:01	#5
PRIYA Discombobulated Elsewherean! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: nether regions Posts: 1,097	And sometimes it's pink!!! __________________ Happiness is for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched and those who have tried. For only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives. (Anon.)

Feb 13th, 2008, 17:41	#7
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: London, England. Posts: 8,433	Something I've never really known...... All those wonderful coloured powders we see in a market..... What are they? Where do they come from? How are they made? What's used to colour them? What are they used for? and would they make a good sherbet dip? (none have been as wonderful as those I saw was in an indoor market in Mysore, there must have been 30-40 different ones, all different colours. __________________ . How to get helpful replies to your transport/Itinerary questions. Train information.

Feb 13th, 2008, 17:59	#8
Aiexile Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: UK Posts: 20	'Hair' Yeah the guy on Chowpati Beach is a feature there selling 'Budda ka baal' old man's hair, a sweet. A few weks ago he was there selling in the evening calling 'panch rupiah panch rupiah' (five rupees) and saw me nearing him and without batting an eyelid continued 'ten rupees ten rupees'. We exchanged smiles. Aiexile.

Feb 13th, 2008, 15:24	#2
piran_e Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 30	The guy was selling a sweetmeat which looks like white hair. It is popularly known as 'Old woman' hair' and hence that answer

Feb 13th, 2008, 16:57	#4
Fan of India Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 56	Yep Shashank. - You Are right. This is the Indianised version of 'Candy Floss'

Feb 13th, 2008, 17:09	#6
iwanttogoback is sorry Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: perth Posts: 1,493	oh, you mean fairy floss! yummy.

Feb 13th, 2008, 18:03	#9
i_travel_alone Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: USA Posts: 4	Its cotton candy.

Feb 13th, 2008, 18:04	#10
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: London, England. Posts: 8,433	And another question..... Why do many women (mostly in Southern India) cover themselves with tumeric powder (making their skin look pale yellow)? (I was told why, but I'm hoping the explanation is wrong)

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