SIRIH

Sirih, the Malay word for Betel Leaf or paan (in Hindi), or beeda (in Tamil), or Kun-ya as it is known in Myanmar, is a type of digestive, which consists of fillings of sweet spices or tobacco, wrapped in a triangular package using leaves of the Betel pepper (Piper betel), held together with a toothpick or a clove.The filling is generally a mixture of various spices like cardamom, saffron, roasted coconut, cloves, fruits, sugar and also tobacco. Many types of paan contain Betel nuts as a filling, many other types do not.

Although the tradition of having paan was very common in the Malay and Indian cultures of Malaysia earlier on, it is now a dying tradition in Malaysia. The present generation of Malaysians can find evidence of it in the museum showcasing the special boxes or caskets (mainly silver), with several compartments where the sirih, the spices and the tobacco were stored and conveniently carried around for use at any given time and the instruments (clippers) used to clip the betel nut and the Spittoons to spit the paan juices.

Some Malaysian Indian communities still do maintain this traditional dish for temple ceremonies, weddings and other special occasions.In the sub-continent (India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka) and in Myanmar however, the tradition lives on with 'paan wallahs' or shopkeepers finding innovative and new methods, fillings and names to make it a very popular after meal digestive.

Sirih or Paan is chewed as a palate cleanser and a breath freshener. It is also offered to guests and visitors as a sign of hospitality and eaten at cultural events. In fact, in many earlier South and South East Asian Cultures, gifts to kings and priests and officials, would have as a necessary item the Betel Leaf besides perfume, tea, tobacco, spices, cotton and silk.


Of course, the Sirih in my painting looks very different from an actual Betel leaf (an example of which is given beside)... ah well... all goes in the name of artistic license. I have enjoyed the various shades of acrylic greens I have worked with. The gold outline of the leaf was an after thought which worked out pretty well. The boxes have been inspired by the Malaysian paddy fields which go on for miles and miles and by a very common check box design of the Malaysian sarong worn both by men and women. This painting took me five months to complete.