Occupation: Sells dried fish
Would you like some dried anchovies or dried threadfin bream? Perhaps you would like some dried snake head or some dried barracuda? I don’t sell the fish by weight, I sell them in bundles. See this bundle of dried shrimp, its Rs. 20. Shall I wrap what you want in paper? Please soak the fish in water for half an hour, dry it on paper towels and then fry it. If you don’t do so, the dish will be too salty.
I come from a family of seven children. Out of the seven, only four of us siblings remain. My late parents used to sell fresh fish and dried fish at this very spot. As we were short of funds I studied only till class three. We led a tough life. I remember a time when we had only one change of clothes. As we needed to make ends meet, I used to assist in the household funds by selling fish, door-to-door at the age of 15. I suffer from asthma and old age is catching up. I am 65 years old now.
I started selling dried fish here at the Vettucaud beach a few years ago; I don’t recall how many. I come here daily; this here is my spot. I am usually here from 8 a.m. till 9 p.m.
My only son passed away in an accident and my husband is no more. I live with my sister, Agnes and her family. See that green painted house there? That’s where we live.
Agnes too sells dried fish. She used to sell fish door to door but had to stop when she discovered she has cancer. Both of us sit close by at the beach for company.
I buy the fish from the Pettah and Vettucaud markets. I go there whenever I can to pick up the best of fish. Good quality fish is scarce though. I then bring it home, clean it and then dry it with a bit of salt. If it’s really bright and sunny, it will take just two days to dry the fish. I don’t apply salt on anchovies as most people use the dried anchovies to make chutney; it will become too salty if I add salt to it. People usually prefer buying dried anchovies and dried mackerel. As I don’t sit under a shade, my business depends entirely on the weather.
After work, I head home exhausted and all I want to do is to have a shower and curl into bed. Although I would love to retire and put my feet up, I can’t. As there are other vendors selling dried fish on the beach, competition is stiff. There are days when there are no sales at all and days when food is really scarce in the household. While Agnes’ daughter is settled and doing fine, Agnes’ son, who is physically disabled is looking out for a job. I don’t think Agnes or I can retire until he finds a job.
(A weekly column on men and women who make Thiruvananthapuram what it is)
