'Chayer tong' brews the essence of Bangaliyana life

A small square van, gas stove burning, two kettles boiling, tea liquor, water. A few cubes of condensed milk are arranged in a row, or the condensed milk is boiled in a large kettle. Packets of cakes, biscuits, and bread are hanging in front. Keep aside sliced lemon, mint leaves, ginger, and kalijira. People come, have a cup of tea, some chatter for a long time, and some leave soon after finishing the tea. This is a familiar picture of our local tea stalls, known as 'Tong'.

A tea tong, though seemingly just a place to sell a drink, is actually much more significant than that. For many, tea is a daily habit, a trick to get rid of fatigue, a centre of conversation between friends, an absolute refreshment in the office or a meeting place for lovers. Thousands of stories are being developed around the tea tongs every day.

Photo - Mashrefa Tarannum

While waiting for the bus every morning while going to the office, some working people of different ages are chatting in front of the National Museum of Shahbagh. The discussion of the social and political news of the country and abroad starts by flipping the newspaper among people who do not know each other personally. Family life is also discussed among the familiar groups.

Rows of tea tongs at TSC bring life to life in a new light. Rivals in politics, a couple of students with two opposite ideals meet right at Rubel's tea stall to share the joy and pain of life. Sometimes, there are fierce debates; sometimes, it's all about expressing life's frustration.

Coming to these tongs after class and sipping tea, many socialise with new faces, and friendships form. Sometimes, love accumulates just by meeting every day over a cup of tea. Some choose this tea cup and tong for the first date. Those who are not attracted by the fancy restaurants and coffee shops of the city or are a little far away from the luxury of love in terms of pocket money find chayer tongs the best meeting place -- sometimes in Bailey Road, sometimes in Curzon Hall, or sometimes Next to the pond of Shahidullah Hall.

When one feels sleepy or tired while sitting in the office, tea tong becomes a source of energy. This tea stall outside the office is the meeting place where a colleague or an acquaintance from a nearby office comes to meet.

There are no special barriers to entry into the tea tongs. It is a meeting place for people of different social statuses, backgrounds and professions.

The tea tong is sometimes the birthplace of new ideas and innovations. A plan to do something new comes out while talking with friends or colleagues. Emerging researchers find their research topic here.

Srabon Barua Bipu

This tea tong is also a picture of post-modern changes in our society. Although boys and girls chatting at tea tongs in the university area is quite common, women chatting over tea in a small town, village, or rural neighbourhood tea stalls was not very common before.

But changes can be seen now. It's quite fascinating for a girl from a conservative family to have tea at a tong. For many, it's like a symbol of freedom.

Tea tongs by river banks are even more special. The tongs in the bank of Padma in Rajshahi is one such famous place where young and old alike frequently go to unwind with a cup of tea after a stressful day. Identical sights may be found at Mymensingh and Swarupkathi of Barisal, respectively, on the banks of the Brahmaputra and Sandhya rivers.

When individuals become stranded in the heavily congested metropolis of Dhaka, many take a boat journey to Shuarighat. Although heavily polluted, still tea tongs near Buriganga, Shitalakkha and other dying rivers of Dhaka are quite popular.

These tea stores hold memories of joy and pain. These tea tongs know the story of people's life struggles. 

Most tea stalls are set up on the sidewalks along the road. Since these footpaths or roadsides are not permitted places to set up a shop, the shop owners sometimes have to face eviction by the administration.

Although foreign traders started the tea movement, these small tea vans have become an integral part of the culture and tradition of the people of this region. These are the places where we learn the sense of life. These tea tongs stand as a witness to the changes of time and diversity of people.

purbasha-2017413525@devs.du.ac.bd