'Mangli': Sharing 'Sweet' Memories with Students, for Generations

Mangalore, Jan 22: 'Mangli', the name might ring a bell among many Aloysians as the very mention might remind them of the frothy sugarcane juice and the lovely pani-puri they used to gobble up as students of St Aloysius School or College after a hectic day inside the campus.

He was a familiar name to the students in the Light House Hill Road, where he had set up his make shift juice shop in that hill top which used to be a deserted terrain in the 50’s and 60’s except for the movement of students of the school and college. For the students he was not just another vendor who sold juice and chaats merely for money. Many still recall that he was a friend, guide, inspirer, peacemaker and the one who steered many a youngster on the right path in his own indomitable way, when they tread on the wrong trail.

Students who had benefitted from his friendly advice and guidance remembered the sugarcane vendor a few years back by felicitating him along with the then Headmaster of the School Fr Louis, an act which has struck a chord with the man, now old but still active. Despite seeing 70 summers Mangli continues to crush sugarcane with his manual machine to give frothy juice, the only difference being change of location.

Now the beneficiaries are children of Canara High School Urva, as he has his makeshift shop opposite the school. His main clients are school children and those who frequent the stadium and nearby grounds for exercise or to play various games. It looks as though he can’t keep himself away from his association with children. 'I like children and their pranks and they in turn like me and somehow this association continues', he says in his usual candor.


Ananth Shenoy becomes Mangli

Having started to crush sugarcane in 1958 at the age of 16, Mangli has no qualms about continuing to work even at this age. On the contrary he says 'the manual sugar crushing machine has kept me healthy and I wish I am able to earn my livelihood as long as I am alive'.

Everyone knows him by his nickname 'Mangli', which got stuck to him like fevikol and none even bothered to know his real name as there was no need. Even Mangli, a happy-go-lucky chap did not mind it. He happily narrates the incident which brought him this nick name. There was a student Ozwald Pereira whom he called 'Mangli' one day just for fun and the students who heard this began to call him by this name. Ozwald who was highly troubled by this name confessed to Mangli about his problem. To come out of the quagmire they decided to call each other by the name 'Mangli' and it worked and the name stuck to the juice vendor. So K Ananth Shenoy became 'Mangli' to students and for everyone from priests of the school/college, lecturers, teachers and other staff.

Mangli took to this business out of necessity soon after the sudden demise of his father when he was studying in 9th. He had a choice of sending his mother to household work or start working and he chose the latter. One Ramachandra Mallya, who was running a juice stall in Nehru Maidan those days had brought two sugarcane juice machines from Mumbai and Ananth Shenoy yane Mangli hired one of it on a daily rent of Rs 2/- and started a make shift juice centre outside Aloysius campus.

'Light House Hill was like a forest and deserted. There were no petty shops like now or movement of people. Still I decided to open my juice stall there', he reminisces. Mangli is quite garrulous and naturally he could establish a rapport with the students. Even the students found him to be amiable and nice which even went to the extent of Mangli counseling many of them to study well. An avid cricket enthusiast who had captained his team in school in rubber ball cricket, Mangli even used to inspire the Kabaddi team of the school which then went on to win a medal at the state level.


Mentoring Students

What about drug use among students, I ask him. Did you counsel students about the ill-effects of drug abuse? Yes, he says, but none knew where the students got these drugs from. I used to tell many students not to fall prey to it. One of the sons of leading transport operators became a victim of this drug racket and Mangli regrets that he could not succeed in counseling the boy. As there was drug abuse among students college authorities and lecturers even suspected Mangli. Police even raided Mangli’s juice centre but found nothing. Magli even took them to his house to prove his innocence. They were shocked to see Mangli’s bedridden wife who was a victim of paralysis at a young age. But the police were convinced and could not find anything either in the shop or his house.

Mangli had a fascination of roaming and during offseason (rainy) he used to go to Mumbai. Mumbai’s Chowpaty was then famous for pani puri, bhel puri and other chaat items and Mangli who got a taste of it introduced them in Mangalore in the late 50’s. 'I introduced pani puri and other chaats here in Mangalore. All the big people of the city had come to my stall to taste it as it was something new then', Mangli recalls. There was good business and within two years Mangli had bought the machine from Mallya instead of paying daily rentals.

In 1982 he shifted to Bunder as the then port officer offered him a shop there and electric machine. But during 1992 Ayodhya incident his shop was burnt. Though he was offered all help to restart the business he could not regain the business and finally put a make shift juice shop in front of the Mangala Stadium. When the concrete was in the making he shifted to the roadside shady area opposite Canara School Urva and is operating from there ever since.

Mangli’s wife was a victim of paralysis at a young age. A few years after the birth of their only daughter Nandini, she became paralytic and was bedridden for 20 years. Mangli along with his sister took care of his wife who died 14 years back. He got his daughter married off soon after her graduation and she is now settled in Karkala. Though his daughter and son-in-law have been pestering him to come and stay with him he is resolute in his decision to continue working till he is able to.


Happiness in Struggle

After the death of his wife he lives alone in his rented house at Bejai Kapikad. His day begins early at 3 am. After a cold water bath and other chores he comes to his shop walking as during the season customers come as early as 5.30 am. He works till 4 pm and is able to have a business of Rs 250 to 300 daily. During summer season it goes up to even Rs 1000 followed by zero business during rainy season. Once he goes home he spends his time cleaning, washing, reading paper, watching television and is off to bed by 7.30 pm. One Prakash Nayak supplies him breakfast and lunch for Rs 50 daily and at night he manages with two bananas and a glass of milk.

Endowed with a helping nature Mangli had taken care of his brother’s family as he had died at a young age leaving three children and wife, even marginalizing his own family. But what he got in return was nothing but ungratefulness. Not that he expected any monetary help or expected anything in return. It saddens him that they have not maintained good relations with him. When he was admitted to hospital with Malaria a few years ago it was his friend who took care of him.

Though his own relatives have betrayed him he has been loved by strangers whom he got acquainted during all these years as a sugarcane vendor. He remembers the family of J F D Frank which supported him whenever he faced difficulties. He also recalls the rapport he had with Physical Instructor of Aloysius College Benjamin D Souza and now a college boy Shravan has become his chum. He visits his home every day and is fond of the old man.

Ananth Shenoy has found happiness in what he has been doing. His wants are limited and needs are frugal. He wants to work as long as he is able to and not to be a burden on others. Early to bed and early to rise seems to be the secret of his good health. Dealing with children also seems to be his antidote that keeps him in the pink of health. He is not bothered by material wealth or and is happy with what he has though life has been an odyssey of struggle.

 

Also Read:

By Florine Roche
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Comment on this article

  • K satish, Mangalore

    Mon, Dec 16 2013

    very well said Nisha.

  • Rohan. H, Kudla / Muscat

    Fri, Dec 13 2013

    "Mangli" the name brings back good memories at St.Aloysius College.Used to have sugarcane juice with friends after playing basketball.

  • Marita, Mangalore/Toronto

    Wed, Feb 01 2012

    Reading this brings back nostalgic memories of yester years where I spent my childhood in Light House Hill..
    A familiar face that brightened us every morning on our way to Mass at the Aloysius College Chapel was that of Manguli..Never did a day go past without us sharing pleasantries on our way back and forth..not forgetting the lip smacking charmuri and the special juice he would turn out for us..
    My next visit to Mangalore I hope to reconnect for sure...
    Thanks for bringing back Memories

    Marita Coelho (nee Peres Bhatt)

  • Gratian Vas, Muchur/New Delhi

    Tue, Jan 24 2012

    Nostalgic! I was a regular visitor to Mangli's between 1962 and 1964.
    I have been there once or twice on short visits to Mangalore. Sad to know he has moved base. All the same I wish him all the best!!

  • Lorna & Tony dsouza, Mangalore/Toronto

    Mon, Jan 23 2012

    Wow so beautiful writing about Mr Mangli Mamu. When we come down to Mangalore on holidays we usally stay in around that area. When we have our morning walk we have passed the stall for about 2 weeks & every morning Mr.Mangli has wished me Good Morning with a smile. I have not spoken to him just a wish & a smile. I just loved the person. He is a happy person.We wish him all the love & happiness and good health. Thank you for this article.

    Tony & Lorna.

  • MELVYN D'SOUZA, ANGALORE/THANE,MUMBAI

    Mon, Jan 23 2012

    God Bless you dear Mangli....I am still remembering the taste of your Bhelpuri& Shevpuri during my high school days...you were a lovely friendly person with all students.while reading this article, it flashback my childhood memory's. while break time i alongwith classmate go to his stall listening creckit scores..sure I will taste your savepuri& bhelpuri next time when I come to mangalore....Good luck dear.

  • Ismail, Moodbidri

    Mon, Jan 23 2012

    Thank you Ms. Florine Roche and Daijiworld for this inspiring article. May Allah bless Mr. Ananth Shenoy with good health.

  • Nisha D'Souza, Bangalore

    Mon, Jan 23 2012

    Such a simple person, so affable, striking the sentimental chords of
    so many people!Isn't it great? People with lots of wealth, with stiff upper lips should a take a leaf out of lives of these people. Great job! Daijiworld.

  • george menezes, farangipet/dubai.

    Mon, Jan 23 2012

    Hi,mangli mamu..i am still remembering the taste during my high school to college days in aloysius.May God grant him good health always.

  • Kishore Chirodian, Kudla / United Kingdom

    Mon, Jan 23 2012

    Manglianna cu soon in Kudla.

  • Naresh, Mangalore

    Mon, Jan 23 2012

    Ananth mam and his brother are also known as good bowlers(under arm off spin)in his generation.Few year back i have seen him practcing in urva ground.

  • John, Mangalore

    Mon, Jan 23 2012

    Hard working chap,may god bless him and let others who spend their most part of life in unuseful work learn atleast now.
    For a change I am noticing good comments and admirations from some commentators.

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mangalore/Mapusa/ Mumbai

    Mon, Jan 23 2012

    Thank you Daijee, This news is like a breath of fresh air.
    We are tired of Corruption, Nepotism, Rape, Loot, Fraud, Denotification……………..

  • Mohan Attavar, Mangalore/Dubai

    Mon, Jan 23 2012

    I still remember Mangli's sugercane Juice and Bhelpuri which he always delivered to us on other side of the wall near the auditorium very close to his shop (Our favourite place) while studying at Aloysius College till 1977. May god bless him with good health , happiness & Peace.

  • Kevin, Mangalore / Dubai

    Mon, Jan 23 2012

    I cannot forget this man for his affection and hunble nature. Really have greate memories eating Belpuri, charburi and Juice. We Aloysions salute this personality. Thank u very much Daijiworld teams.

  • parvez royal, mangalore/dxb

    Mon, Jan 23 2012

    I REMEMBER HIS SHOPE NEAR MANGALA STADIUM EVERY EVENING AFTER PLAYING COME TO HIS GOOD ANGADI AND SAY AGARE ONJI JUICE

  • Michael, Mulky/San Fransisco

    Mon, Jan 23 2012

    Such a great coverage. Thanks Daiji. I felt really emotional reading all these comments. I can imagine how great he is although I don't know him personally. Glad all these people got to read and see their hero on the website.

  • Naveen Frank, Sharjah/Mangalore

    Sun, Jan 22 2012

    The family that Manguli refers to in the article, when correctly spelt as JFB Frank, was my own family. We lived adjacent to his juice shop at Light House Hill and grew up knowing a young Manguli. He had a great regard for my mother, who although being a Catholic, officiated on Manguli’s wedding day as one of his own family members. So great was his regard for her, Manguli closed his business for three days following the unfortunate death of my mother at a young age of 37 years. Yes, I agree he was part of our family.

  • Gerald j bennis(benny), mangalore/bangalore/bahrain

    Sun, Jan 22 2012

    Tears runs thru my eyes after reading this article of our beloved MANGLI...he was household name among our students of St.Aloysius high school and college as well as surrounding places of mangalore.
    May mangli lives in our heart ever werever we are.May almighty give him his blessings and long life.

  • Liaquath Ali Bolar, Mangalore

    Sun, Jan 22 2012

    When I was in St. Aloysius college, I used to eat tasty Bhel Puri & Sugercane Juice from Mr. Mangli, God bless him.....

  • Antony, Australia

    Sun, Jan 22 2012

    Hat's off to Ananth Shenoy....thank you daijiworld to bring out the life of such a person.

  • Gration D' Souza, Kulshekar / Muscat

    Sun, Jan 22 2012

    Hi Mangli mamu, we remember u a lot even now those days of chatting with you, when we pass through your corner light house hill, wonderful personality we enjoyed his gesture during our college days. May the almighty give you good health and keep you happy...

  • Prabhu, Manipal

    Sun, Jan 22 2012

    Tears in my eyes...... 1500 characters not enough.

  • Don D'souza, Mangalore

    Sun, Jan 22 2012

    you are the real Man , you work hard and get your daily wages may God Grant you Good health and peace.

  • Stan, Mangalore,UK

    Sun, Jan 22 2012

    God Bless you dear Mangli....I am still remembering the taste of your sugar cane Juice and Bhelpuri,Shevpuri during my college days...you were a lovely friendly person with all students...sure I will taste your sugar cane juice next time when I come to mangalore....Good luck dear.

  • Lydia Lobo, Kadri

    Sun, Jan 22 2012

    Florine,

    You have highlighted a man whose humble existence otherwise made no difference to this world. We tend to ignore the milkman, postman or fish vendor, as this juice vendor.

    Thank you for making us realize how important each and every person is. Its nice to know through your article that every individual carves out his own role and finds his happiness in fulfilling it.

    Felt nice reading about Mangli. Thank you very much.

  • Raj, Udupi

    Sun, Jan 22 2012

    Mangli Mamu god bless you........Your are the real Hero.

  • John, mangalre

    Sun, Jan 22 2012

    This is called hard work and spirit he is happy in his life. Very nice to see such articles how people suffer in their life but they have peace of mind....

  • V.S, Mangalore/Dubai

    Sun, Jan 22 2012

    Very impressing. May God grant him good health, joy and peace always.


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Title: 'Mangli': Sharing 'Sweet' Memories with Students, for Generations



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