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Bottoms Up!
Every year the month of Ramadan brings with it the revival of age old traditions. While countless new restaurants have attraaed customers with their own unique Iftar menus, the people of Dhaka still find time to visit the one place that holds memories from almost everyone's childhoods. The Kaleidoscopic colours, vibrant community and delicious smells of Old Dhaka remain unavoidable during this month.
One of the most unique aspects of iftar here are the refreshing and original drink recipes the Old Town vendors have mastered. For the past 79 years, Beauty Lassi and Kachi has been serving lemonade that will quench the deepest of thirsts and leave the drinker craving for more. Complete with fresh lime juice, lemon syrup, sugar and almost half a lime floating in the glass, this drink attracts hundreds every evening when the Azaan sounds. The beet lobon lassi at Beauty is a close second competitor. Made for diabetic patients, this lassi has put a smile on many non-diabetics as well with its perfea balance of creamy saltiness. "We use rock salt and bitter yoghurt in this drink,” says Md. Emran, the proprietor of the shop, "It is definitely one of our best sellers.”
A walk down Chawk Bazaar will also bring one across many eye-catching stalls selling vari-
ous exotic looking delicious drinks. Take for example the Lemon Ruh afzah Sharbat- a glass full of beautiful blood red liquid, a mouth watering smell wafting from its direction. "I have learned to make this drink from my father and grandfather, who also had drink carts," says Mizanur Alam, *1 sell them all year round for ten Taka a glass and they are very popular, but Ramzan is when business booms for me," he comments.
A few feet away, one can spot another cart, this one serving an orange coloured drink with slices of fruit peeking out from the thick liquid. "This is what we call the Pakistani Fruit Punch," says vendor Mohammad Shahjahan, "We make it with apple, pomegranate, malta, isubguler Bhushy (flax seeds), tang, tasty-saline and sugar. It is a traditional Pakistani drink served during iftar which we have sort of re-invented and made our own. We serve it all year round and the youngsters love it."
Next stop, Lalbagh where the famous Royal Restaurant is located. Royal, for decades has been serving a badaam sharbat (Almond drink) made with whole milk, saffron, almonds and sugar. This is possibly the best dairy based iftar drink in the country. Traditionally, it is also served at weddings and other special occasions such as the celebrations of the birth of a child.
There are countless other roadside shops and
stalls across Old Dhaka where unique iftar drinks are now available. Those who haven't had a chance should definitely make a trip there soon, if not to eat and drink, to just enjoy the atmosphere and feel the anticipation and excitement of the upcoming Eid. photo:
° KAZI TAHSIN AGAZ APURBO