The Barman, in most old planting Clubs were real "institutions" by themselves. Infact in most old clubs they made the "institution"
We had a very interesting barman at the Peermade Club, called James. He was apparently inducted into service as a young man by the then British planters - obviously, at first, to do the cleaning and the heavy work at the club, and then gradually worked himself up into taking over the bar.
It's quite interesting that most old planting clubs had barmen who were either a James or a Devassia or a Gomez.Could it be that the British, after a few drinks at the 19th, found these were the easiest names to remember/pronounce while calling for the next round?
Most members of the Peermade club will vouch that their livers are still in good condition, thanks to James.
He was one of those Barmen who could stretch a full bottle of liquor to well past the 650ml limit!! We were all absolutely amazed that we could still be standing after the amount of drinks that were billed to our accounts.
Once,after a strenuous and rainy day of golf, we trooped into the 19th & ordered the usual round from James. A few pegs later, the suspicion grew that the bottle, which had been brought from home, had been watered down. On confronting him, he vehemently denied the charge. Finally, as the accusations were getting quite heated, he came out with this theory, which just floored everyone. His explanation was that it must have been raining at home when we left, and some water must have seeped into the bottle there. Nobody had an answer to that one!!
The Mundakayam Club, another old planting club, and incidentally celebrating its centenary next year, had a barman named Gomez.
I don't think there will be anyone from around here who does not remember Gomez. His head was always tilted to one side.We were sure, that it was tilted at that funny angle, because of the number of drinks he'd poured over the years - the peg measure used to be filled to the brim & not a drop was spilt while pouring it into the glass!!
Gomez, after years of yeoman service, retired and decided to spend the rest of his life in an Old folks home nearby. Visiting him, about a year after his retirement, I was amazed to see that his head had straightened up!! So obviously it was all those drinks that he'd poured, that had tilted his head.
Barmen, these days, are not the same anymore - though the Mundakayam club did have a Devassia, who was also quite a character. Not in the same class as the two mentioned above though. He was more like a lovable rouge. He fudged the number of drinks you had had with such a simple look, that you didn't have the heart to take him to task.
Bring back those old Barmen!!
We had a very interesting barman at the Peermade Club, called James. He was apparently inducted into service as a young man by the then British planters - obviously, at first, to do the cleaning and the heavy work at the club, and then gradually worked himself up into taking over the bar.
It's quite interesting that most old planting clubs had barmen who were either a James or a Devassia or a Gomez.Could it be that the British, after a few drinks at the 19th, found these were the easiest names to remember/pronounce while calling for the next round?
Most members of the Peermade club will vouch that their livers are still in good condition, thanks to James.
He was one of those Barmen who could stretch a full bottle of liquor to well past the 650ml limit!! We were all absolutely amazed that we could still be standing after the amount of drinks that were billed to our accounts.
Once,after a strenuous and rainy day of golf, we trooped into the 19th & ordered the usual round from James. A few pegs later, the suspicion grew that the bottle, which had been brought from home, had been watered down. On confronting him, he vehemently denied the charge. Finally, as the accusations were getting quite heated, he came out with this theory, which just floored everyone. His explanation was that it must have been raining at home when we left, and some water must have seeped into the bottle there. Nobody had an answer to that one!!
The Mundakayam Club, another old planting club, and incidentally celebrating its centenary next year, had a barman named Gomez.
I don't think there will be anyone from around here who does not remember Gomez. His head was always tilted to one side.We were sure, that it was tilted at that funny angle, because of the number of drinks he'd poured over the years - the peg measure used to be filled to the brim & not a drop was spilt while pouring it into the glass!!
Gomez, after years of yeoman service, retired and decided to spend the rest of his life in an Old folks home nearby. Visiting him, about a year after his retirement, I was amazed to see that his head had straightened up!! So obviously it was all those drinks that he'd poured, that had tilted his head.
Barmen, these days, are not the same anymore - though the Mundakayam club did have a Devassia, who was also quite a character. Not in the same class as the two mentioned above though. He was more like a lovable rouge. He fudged the number of drinks you had had with such a simple look, that you didn't have the heart to take him to task.
Bring back those old Barmen!!
Jopu, you've immortalised Devasia!
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI am putting together a summary of various planters clubs in southern india, with particular focus on the Bar! I wonder if you could point me in the right direction to find some photos of the Peermade Bar. any help much appreciated. thank you. Peermade sounds fantastic by the way!
Hi,
DeleteYou could write to peermadeclub@gmail.com
Due to the Govts.excise policy, most bars in Plantation Clubs are now defunct, Members now occassinally bring their own bottle to have a drink there,