A few years ago, I wrote a nostalgic piece on the waning of the Bante wali bottle from the Indian markets and it being stealthily replaced by branded fizzy drinks hugely popularized through endorsements by big stars. Well, thank the Lord for the Bante wali bottle is back in town and that too with a Bang!
The other day as my car took a turn from the college gates, I witnessed a bevy of college students and some passersby queuing up in front of a brightly coloured cart. My first guess was that the cart must serve either dim sum or momos for right now that is the current national obsession with both youngsters and middle-aged. A closer look revealed the clientele guzzling down some liquid from a bottle.
The next day, a similar cart was stationed outside an eatery and of course the multi-hued cart drew a huge crowd around it. Curiosity got the better of me as I asked the driver to stop the car in order for me to have a better look at my objet d’attention.
Lo and behold! It was the same old Bante wali bottle- the Codd-neck glass bottle with a marble ensconced in its northern horizons, but in a fancy new avatar. The cart proudly proclaimed the brand name ‘Kanchaz’ at the top- a synonym for banta or marble. What was even more fascinating was the fact that the bottle now offered a variety of flavoured and colourful drinks as compared to the earlier version available in only lemon.
Though nothing can replace the lemony-tang of the bante wali bottle enhanced a zillion times with a dash of freshly squeezed lemon wedge or a pinch of rock salt, the new flavours including orange, cola and a few more can be seen as an added bonus for those looking for some alternative while still swearing allegiance to the good old charming banta or goli bottle.
The return of the codd-necked bottle also came in handy as I no longer need to run the stereotypical, nostalgic stories in front of my children. The only thing I now need to do is take them to this motley cart, already a favorite haunt of Gen Z, and introduce the drink and the bottle as Version 2.0 of my childhood preferent. I’m hopeful that the bante wali bottle can act as a conduit between the two generations. Something worth saying ‘Cheers’ to!
The resurgence of the beloved Bante wali bottle, now reimagined as ‘Kanchaz’, is a heartwarming sight in today’s world dominated by branded fizzy drinks. The colorful cart, reminiscent of bygone days, attracts a diverse crowd, evoking a sense of nostalgia and novelty. The marble-sealed Codd-neck glass bottle carries not just a refreshing beverage but also a piece of cultural history. In a society captivated by trendy obsessions, the return of this classic gem signifies the timeless appeal of simple pleasures and traditions. Kanchaz stands as a testament to how the past can seamlessly blend with the present, offering a sip of shared memories and a bubbly taste of authenticity.
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