RAGI MUDDE (RAGI BALL) OF SOUTH INDIA A BOON TO POOR AND DIABETICS

Ragi (Eleusine coracana) is the staple food crop many parts of South India, specifically some parts of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. In Karnataka the dry belts like those of Tumkur and surrounding Districts are famous for Ragi cultivation. In my village Veerapura of Madhugiri Taluk, we almost solely depended on it as main crop. Of course there is a enoromous change in the cropping pattern these days.

Ragi is known for its hardness interms of its stay in the stomach for long time without creating hungryness compared to many others like Rice. The crop has been grown in dry as well as in irrigated condition. Red soil predominent in these area is good for its cultivation. The fresh grains are eaten raw or roasted also. Mainly the grains are harvested after the crop dries in the field and kept in the field for separating the grains immediately after harvest by drying and thrashing, or stored dry for some time till the farmer find some time for it (ref photo).

The dried ragi grains are powdered either manually or using Flour Mills. The RAGI-KALLU used in the earlier days are hardly seen even in the villages like my Veerapura. During my childhood days I was showing much interest in grinding the Ragi grains. The RAGI-HITTU or Ragi flour was to be stored in the Mud Bins (SORE or BANA).

Ragi balls are made by putting the Ragi Flour in the boiling water and stirring after some time and kneading using 2 sticks and often using 'Y' shaped supporting wooden fork. In the earlier and presently the poor people used/use earthen utensils. There after shifted to Copper or brass or aluminium or steel ones.

Slowly ragi is picking up specially because of its anti-diabetic properties and high mineral content. Ragi ball with 'AVAREKALU SAPNEERU / ISUKIDA BELE SARU' or 'BADANEKAI GOJJU' (brinjay curry) or 'CURDS and ONION' gives excellent taste. In terms of some people like my father it is 'AMRITA' . People make 'AMBLI', ie. ragi-malt and drink, specially good for infants and children. 'RAGI-ROTTI' ie. ragi-pancake and ragi-dose are also common items. My delicious 'ERULLI-RAGIROTTI' ie. onion ragi-pancake would definitely to be taste worthy by any one. My wife makes sweet burfis using ragi flour liked by my son (!).

In Kannada there is a lot of literature about ragi. My father was to tell "RAGIYANU UMBUVANU NIROGI-YENDENI-SUVANU, .........(meaning-those who feed on ragi will never become patients); "ITTAM THIDAM BETTAM KITTHITTAM" (meaning- those who eat ragi can uproot the hill).

Last but not the least, ragi mudde is the favourite food of our beloved Ex-Prime Minister Shri Deve Gowda.

Taste if u can...Becareful if you are a amateur.....it may stick in to your teeth.....swallow the small marble shaped pieces after rolling with sambar or curry or curd or pickle etc

need to know more contact me

MADHUGIRI, THE EX-POMEGRANATE TOWN OF KARNATAKA

The photos seen of the Madhugiri Hill taken from South (2) and North of the Hill.

These are two photos of the Gigantic, Monolithic Granitic Hill of Madhugiri. The name Madhugiri is derived from the local language Kannada, meaning Honey Hill (shaped like inverted Honey comb). This is located to north of the district centre Tumkur in Karnataka state.

One can climb it from the Eastern Side. I had climbed it during 1983 when i was studying the Govt High School of the town. It as adventurous but risky one. As you can see the slope is very sharp. Climbing it in summer or rainy season is not advisable as it would be very hot or slippery. When children we were told the hill is having a Stealth way from the hill top opening in other hills. It has Chandradoni, a small water pond on the hill. The hill has the very strong fort built by its rulers of the past called PALEGARS.

This city (taluk) once known for its variety of Pomegranates. I did sing when i was a child "KOLLIRI MADHUGIRI DALIMBE', ie. you puchase/take Madhugiri Dalimbe. Perhpas with change of time now it is "TANNIRI MADHUGIRIGE DALIMBE" ie. bring Pomegranates to bring from out side. I had tasted salty, sour,sweet and pungent ones. They come in white, red, yellowish ones. Now one may hardly find any of such gardens where i had eaten pomegranates. Not surprised to know that the fruits sold in this town are bought from cities like Bangalore.

It is drought prone area. Acute water scarcity is often haunting not only this town but the villages under its control. It had many KALYANIS, the stoneembellished open wells used for collecting drinking water. Now hardly any Kalyanis with water. Let alone Kalynis, even the open wells which served water demand of entire village are dry/ filled up with soil/ covered. My Veerapura well is one example which is not found today.