SARASWATHI LODGE WAS THE BEST THOSAI KADE DURING MY YOUTH
MANY PROMINENCE FROM COLOMBO TOO HAD A THOSAI DIET AT THIS PLACE DURING THEIR SCHOOL DAYS.
WITH 25 CTS ONE COULD FILL THE STOMACH WITH 2 THOSAIS 10CTS
1 WADE 5 CTS I PLAIN TEA 5 CTS 1955
THE SLOT MACHINE A PLAYING COIN 10 CTS, SURE WIN 2 PLUMS AND A BELL THROWS OUT 5 COINS, ENOUGH FOR THE GALLOW TICKET AT THE SAVOY OR MAJESTIC CINEMA NEARBY
EATING ONE THOSAI AND MANY ANAM SERVINGS TO GET PUMPKIN PIECES AND RED CHILLIES IT ALL DEPENDS ON LUCK
THE GLASS OF HOT TEA IS A HIGH LIGHT, THE TEA MAKER IS AN EXPERT
POURING THE HOT TEA INTO THE GLASS WITHOUT BURNING HIS HANDS
RAISING HIS HANDS TO THE HIGHEST POINT POSSIBLE, TO GIVE A FOAM
RESEMBLES THE FOAM IN BEER. THIS IS TALENT
UNFORTUNATELY THOSE DAYS WE DID NOT PRAISE HIM FOR IT, TODAY FOR ME ITS ONE OF THE BEST FREE SHOWS OF COURAGE.
TO MAKE ONES MOUTH WATERY, THERE WAS YELLOW COLOURED BUNDHI, MUSCAT
PAKADA, MURRUKU
MILK DRINK WHICH I NEVER TRIED THE MORU, THIS TIME WHEN I GO TO SRI LANKA MUST TRY IT, I AM GLAD TO KNOW THAT THE SARASWATHIE LODGE IS EXISTING.
I HOPE THAT THEY SERVE ON PLAINTAIN LEAF. AND OLD NEWSPAPER AS SERVIETTS, AND ONE HAS TO BRING THE USED LEAF TO THE DUSTBIN WHERE THE TAP AND SINK TO WASH THE HANDS
Ranjit
ReplyDeleteWonderful memory of Sarawathi. The heavenly thosai, sambar and sodhi with the servers sweat and numerous flies swinging around. In our youth that was closer to heaven than any place else I know. Well, almost!!
Ranjit, welcome to our blog spot. Is this your maiden effort? Enjoyed reading it thoroughly, as I was a frequent visitor there to relish the food. Dr.Ananda Soysa's family (brother of Bernard Soysa) are the owners of this building. The Greenlands Hotel down Shruberry Gardens also served equally good food. but a bit more expensive.
ReplyDeleteRanjit, please keep on contributing.
Sanath
Great to see you on the Blog Ranjit. I hope this is the first of many more. Feel free to make use of my services if you need help in sending a post to Lucky. Always happy to oblige.
ReplyDeleteComing to Saraswathie Lodge itself, I am sure people of our generation will always remember it for cheap and tasty food in a easy to get at location. Many a Law-Medical and Royal Thomian cricket match was enhanced by the experience. I am pleased to hear that it is still in full bloom.
Hi Ranjith,
ReplyDeleteWhen you mentioned about Thosa Kada,I remembered the good old Medical song sang after eating the vade.Sundaralingamaya-MP for Vavniya.I do not want to mention the remaining words as they sound filthy.
Good humour.Carry on.
Sumathi
To whom it may concern.
ReplyDeleteThis 'article' is not of my doing!
No one obtained my permission to produce this article.
For a start, the writer even displays his sad ignorance at the spelling of my surname!
The numerous mistakes made in spelling and grammar, is an insult to my intelligence and literary capabilities, of which I wish to remain rather proud of.
If this is someone's idea of trying to defame,belittle or throw scorn at me,rest assured - they have failed!
If this is the despicable way someone is attempting to insult
me, I would rather take exception to being a member of this "Blog", and as such, humbly request those concerned to delete me from any further involvements in the future.
Thanks for the complimentary comments from respected colleagues. However, the 'article'was NOT written by me!
Ranjith Dambawinna.
Hi Ranjith,
DeleteSorry to hear that you have been insulted.
I remember your telling me,over the phone,a few months ago,some one tried to bring disrepute you by sending fake e-mails in the past.You know very well,you and I are very good friends,and I do not indulge in that type of activities.
I genuinely thought it originated from you,as you are a fun loving chap.I thought you were a resident of Wellawatte during your student days.
Keep to your meditation and regular swimming.
Sumathi
Dear Ranjith,
DeleteIn my humble opinion, I sincerely believe that this seems to be the result of an unfortunate misunderstanding. All viewers will I am sure understand that the author is not you. On my part, I merely stated at the top that it was "Sent in by Ranjith Dambawinna". Never have I attributed to you anywhere, the contents of that post.
Quite frankly, I was surprised to read your comment on our batch blog under the post "Saraswathi Lodge". In keeping with my policies, I never post anything on the blog (that I started in good faith in 2011 as part of the build up towards our 2012 Batch Reunion) without first obtaining the sender's consent. For your information, anything floating around on the Internet can be quoted/republished freely, although I went out of my way to get your consent to post this particular item which I thought would amuse our viewers. "Saraswathi Lodge" was also posted in the same vein.
As the Blog Administrator, I must say that ever since I started the blog, this is the very first "adverse" comment that has been made under any of my posts. However, I am quite used to facing both bouquets and brickbats!
In accordance with your latest wish, I shall not publish the other one (about the Pub in Sri Lanka) for which too you had given the green light.
In my defence, I am reluctantly compelled to publish this string of private correspondence I had with you as well, along with my reply to your comment.
Rest assured that I am not at all upset or taken aback! Our friendship will not be affected by such trivia.
Sincerely.
Lucky
*********************************************************************************
Ranjith Dambawinna
27 Jun
to Sathis
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: @hotmail.comd@aol.com>
Sent: Tuesday, 27 June 2017, 7:46
Subject: Fw: Fw: Fwd: SARASWATHI LODGE NO 191 GALLE ROAD, LAND SIDE, BAMBALAPITIYA, COLOMBO
Happy days!!!!
A sumptuous meal for under a Rupee! Also- a 'Plain Tea and' THARR'-Rose, followed by a Wee!
Better still! Some of us were living a 'farting' distance from this 'Temple of Food'!
---------- Forwarded message ----------
----- Forwarded Message -----
Sent: Monday, June 26, 2017, 1:13:36 AM GMT+10
Subject: Fwd: SARASWATHI LODGE NO 191 GALLE ROAD, LAND SIDE, BAMBALAPITIYA, COLOMBO
Subject: SARASWATHI LODGE NO 191 GALLE ROAD, LAND SIDE, BAMBALAPITIYA, COLOMBO
WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE
AM SERVINGS TO GET PUMPKIN PIECES AND RED CHILLIES IT ALL DEPENDS ON LUCK
THE GLASS OF HOT TEA IS AHIGH LIGHT, THE TEA MAKER IS AN EXPERT
POURING THE HOT TEA IN......................
Lucky Abey
27 Jun
to Ranjith
Do I have your permission to post this on our Batch Blog?
Ranjith Dambawinna
27 Jun
to me
Go ahead Lucky!
....and with all my heart!
p.s. It may prick the conscience of some of our 'naughty' colleagues, who 'slipped out' of this establishment -without paying a cent! Especially during that 1963 'Law-Medical match!!!! Best wishes. R
from Dr. Ranjith Dambawinna
Note from the Blog Administrator:
ReplyDeleteI must confess that quite inadvertently, I spelt Ranjith Dambawinna's last name with an "e" instead of "a" right at the end. I have now corrected this error. I was a bit taken aback and even surprised that a genuine error such as that had prompted the contributor to react in that manner. But I am glad that this whole episode is now over.
Beware:whoever intends to embark on impersonation will,certainly end up with a blood nose.ranjith is a big lad and I,am certain he will not hesitate to act.
ReplyDeleteSam
Please read blood nose as bloody nose.Name Ranjith should have capil R
ReplyDeleteWhat is capil?
ReplyDeleteCapil does not mean anything.It should have worded capital or upper case.
ReplyDeletelexicographer
Capil does not mean anything.It should have worded capital or upper case.
ReplyDeletelexicographer
Hmmm! I used to wonder what the attraction of Saraswathie Lodge was. Now I understand. It was a place for meeting, greeting, eating, singing and I am sure drowning sorrows (in what I don't need to say) after the stinging nettles of exams, signatures and chastisements. Pumpkin pieces and red chillies would have been sweeter. It's hard not to indulge in some nostalgia and we who never went there (I have never!) now empathise with our batch mates. Thank Goodness for Saraswathie Lodge! Zita
ReplyDeleteWango Zita wango,Nalla, Dosa(thosa)Irrukkiren.long live Saraswathie Lodge.
Delete.Venkatravan