Cutting banana leaves to serving food in India, in Chennai

From the archive record

A South Indian working on cleaning banana leaves and cutting them down to the size needed for serving food. A traditional meal on a banana leaf is necessary at any South Indian celebration. One has to eat carbohydrates in the form of white rice first, then the protein (dal), iron-rich vegetables and fat in the form of curd or yogurt. This is the order in which food is served and consumed as well. It is even more traditional to sit on the floor on a mat or a wooden stool and eat using hands and sitting in the padmasana (lotus) pose. Eating from a banana leaf is considered to be hygienic and healthy. Any guest can be served on a banana leaf which is considered humble and respectful. Source: healthylife.werindia.com This footage is part of the professionally-shot broadcast stock footage archi