Kerala: Arts graduate sells payasam
Life was a huge struggle for Rajesh and he did many odd jobs along with his studies.
Thiruvananthapuram: Rajesh Thankachan and his wife Preetha Pushpam have converted a thattukada into a fine art and tickled the taste buds of the city dwellers. Their ‘Makachi’ payasa thattukada at a busy Vazhuthacaud— Vellayambalam stretch in the city sells different varieties of payasams like Ada, Kadala, Semiya and Paal Ada.
Rajesh Thankachan, 29, of Valiyathura had graduated from the College of Fine Arts here with flying colours. As his freelance job as an animator failed to sustain him, he along with his wife came out with the thattukada idea, which has now become popular. “Vazhuthacaud – Vellayambalam stretch has the maximum number of fast food thattukadas in the city. The people have liked our payasam which is priced at Rs 20 per cup,” said Rajesh while serving his regular customers.
Most of the days, Preetha, 28, makes the tasty payasam and bring it in steel containers. The business hours are from 7.30 pm till 11 pm. Preetha makes ghee bolly too which is priced at Rs10 per piece. “Some days, I also make banana, papaya and yam payasams which are also in demand. On an average, we do sales ranging from Rs 1,500 to Rs 1,700 every day, except on rainy days,” said Preetha.
Life was a huge struggle for Rajesh and he did many odd jobs along with his studies. Son of Thankachan Dharmanathan, a mason, and homemaker Lilly, Rajesh had initially enrolled at Raja Ravi Varma College of Fine Arts at Mavelikara in 2008, but could not complete it due to financial constraints. He took a diploma course in animation and worked in several private companies, including a news channel. Later, he enrolled for BFA at Thiruvananthapuram Fine Arts College from where he recently passed out. Rajesh and Preetha got married three years ago and ventured into thattukada to make both ends meet. They aim to set up a permanent shop to sell many varieties of payasams soon.