Chaiwala facts for kids
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A chaiwala (say "chai-wah-la") is a person who sells tea, especially in countries like India and Pakistan. The word "chai" means "tea" in Urdu and Hindi, and "wala" means someone who does a job or sells something. So, a chaiwala is a street seller of tea. They are a very important part of the culture in these countries.
Chaiwalas often travel from different parts of India to set up their small tea businesses in big cities. They make tea by boiling a mix of water and milk. They often add spices or a special spice mix called chai masala. Then, they add tea leaves and sugar. After boiling, they strain the tea into containers or a tea kettle.
Traditionally, chaiwalas made tea in brass pots. They usually serve tea in small glasses or special clay cups called kulhar. Nowadays, you might also see them serving tea in plastic cups.
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Chaiwalas in Popular Culture
Chaiwalas have appeared in many movies and stories. They show a common part of everyday life in India.
Movies Featuring Chaiwalas
- In the 1955 film Shri 420, the main characters meet at a roadside tea stall. The chaiwala asks for a small payment for two cups of tea. This scene sets up a famous song in the movie. The chaiwala is also shown drinking tea from a saucer, which was a common way for people to drink tea back then.
- In the 2009 drama Slumdog Millionaire, the main character, Jamal Malik (played by Dev Patel), works as a chaiwala. He sells tea at an Indian call center.
Chaiwalas in Books
Chaiwalas also appear in children's books. They help share stories about Indian life.
Chaiwala! Children's Book
The 2021 children's book Chaiwala! tells a sweet story about Indian life. It follows a little girl's trip with her mother to get chai at a train station in India. The book was written by Priti Birla Maheshwari and has pictures by Ashley Barron. It was published in Canada by OwlKids Books.
Famous Chaiwalas
Some chaiwalas have become well-known for different reasons.
People Who Started as Chaiwalas
- Lalu Prasad Yadav is a famous Indian politician. He was once the Chief Minister of Bihar. He has said that he used to be a chaiwala.
- Laxman Rao from Delhi is a chaiwala who is also a successful author. He has written 24 books!
- A young person who left high school started a brand called THE CHAI WALAH. This brand helps other young Indian people become entrepreneurs and start their own businesses.
