in a leaf Love,

I t is love in a heart-shaped leaf. There are myths, legends and folktales around it, and even ancient scriptures pay ode to the importance of paan or betel leaf in love, life and health.

Words Namita Kumar

It has adorned the royal spreads of many kings. Has been a companion to queens. Has assisted thinkers and artists, and has inspired poetry as well. From being presented as royal gifts wrapped in gold and silver leafs, to divine offering for deities, and from sealing bonds of friendships to a must in wedding rituals, the paan (betel leaf and also when the leaf is wrapped into a cone with condiments) has been an intrinsic part of Indian history and tradition.

The ubiquitous panwadi (paan seller) dishing out tightly wrapped betel leaf cones filled with a variety of fillings is a part of the Indian panorama. His work, though, is no less than an art - pulling out a paan leaf from under a moist cloth, applying slaked lime and kattha (a paste made from extract of khair tree), adding a few slices of supari (areca nut), a sprinkle of aromatic condiments and then expertly folding it into a neat cone, before presenting it with a flourish. From Lucknow’s melt-inthe-mouth malai paan (also called balai ki gilori) and Northeast's tambol (supari) wrapped in paan to West Bengal's paan er khili, Bihar's elusive maghai paan and the popular Banarasi variety - paan has a panIndia appeal.