Back in time…
This story goes way back to when women entrepreneurs were unheard of. India was yet to embrace freedom. This is when Subbamma, a young widow, would go from door to door, selling her handmade preparations. This would mostly include pickles, spices, and snacks. This worked well for the visionary as her store and her recipes are thriving even today.
Then and Now
Srinivasa Condiments, better known as Subbamma Angadi, is now run by her grandsons, K.V. Anantha Rao, and K.V. Ramachandra. Though the store is officially known as Srinivasa Condiments, people fondly remember it as Subbamma Angadi as her recipes continue to be sold popularly even today. At least 12 kgs of each of her signature products – chutney pudi, hurigalu, and Congress kadlekai are sold each day.
No matter what time of the day it is, you will have no choice but to brave your way through a crowd of equally enthusiastic Bengalureans waiting for a taste of the timeless recipe. Yes, the shop still sells a lot – over 200 products!
A bit about the undaunted Subbamma
Subbamma’s grandsons fondly recall her memories, when they would saute pulses in a large pan kept on a charcoal fire. They would also pound the spices at home, with only her eyes for measurement! She landed in Bengaluru from Kallur, in the 1930’s. A mother of three, she decided to cash in on her culinary expertise to earn money in order to raise her children. The existing place was offered to her by advocate Lakshmi Narasu on rent for 5 rupees a month. This proved to be a turning point in her life.
She was fearless and defiant, in an era when women entrepreneurs did not exist, in India. It is with her grit and determination that she made her way from being a humble seller of snacks to a woman who made a name for herself.
Must tries
You should not miss out on the chaklis, holige, kodubale, chutney podi, sandige, and pickles. You must also try the seasonally available avarekalu mixture and the gooseberry thokku during the winters. The best part is that you can avail a lot of these items for a hundred rupees.
How to reach
92, H.B. Samaja Road, Near Gandhi Bazaar Circle, Basavanagudi
Nearest Metro Station: National College.
When to visit
The store is open from 9 am to 3 pm and from 5 pm till 10 pm from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, the store is open up to 2 pm, unless it’s a festive day. In case of a festival, the store remains open all day.
Come down to Subbamma Angadi for a taste of timelessness!
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