Indian Mama Shop

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The sundries you can get from the Kaka Shop

In the 60s, there was a ubiquitous provision shop situated at the junction of Lorong 40 and Siang Lim Park. This Mama Shop was owned by an Indian Muslim family. We called the shop Kaka Shop. The minute one stepped into the shop, the scents of numerous spices, curry, ginger, cardamom and salted ikan kurau wafted around the shop. Distracted with the smell, you are met with an assembly of glass jars filled with assorted biscuits like: Marie biscuits, lemon puff filled with lemon flavoured cream and cream crackers. Also on display would be different types of kana in red, black and even green and different types of sweets. Sacks of rice in different grades and a smaller sack of sugar were arrayed nearby.  An old hand-held weighing scale would be placed carelessly on a glass panel. Sundry goods were also on displayed and dusty tins of talcum powders were lined up for sale. Remember archaic brands like Cuticura and Yardley? Also placed on the glass panels would be an array of Yardley pomade, Brylcreem and Vitalis. Boxes of Ladies Sanitary towels were also discreetly displayed for sale. There was usually a huge comb of bananas hanging near the entrance and you could buy three bananas for 10 cents. 

This Kaka shop also housed the owner and his family. The lady of the house is plump and she had a brood of sons and they all helped out in the business. Her husband was a kind man with grey hair. He wore a white singlet and a white sarong. His brother had a crop of black hair and had a very gentle look. He would usually give me four bananas instead of three.

There would be times when I would have to buy sundry around lunch time and I would find the whole family seated on the floor having lunch. It was usually a curry dish and it smells delicious.



These sweet buns cost 10 cents each

One thing this Kaka shop lacked was fresh bread. So I would make a U-turn to the next shop that sells loafs of bread of any size. Some sweet buns and French loaves would be on display too. The owner of this shop is Chinese, sweaty, temperamental and most of the time in a foul mood.  He was singlet-clad and usually insolent. After choosing my favourite sweet bun, he would take a long time to slice the bun. Sometimes I wonder why he has a provision shop. To sell your wares one has to be friendly and put on a smiling face. I would rather shop at the Kaka shop anytime. 

Location: Unknown location.

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