Paan Seller, Delhi

From the archive record

He works hard to modestly exist in the modern India of 2011 and his profession may not be around for long, the way things are changing around us... Paan is an Indian food institution... Paan, 'feather, leaf' is a stimulating, psychoactive preparation of betel leaf combined with areca nut and/or cured tobacco. Paan is chewed before spitting or swallowing. Paan has many variations. Slaked lime paste is commonly added to bind the leaves. Some South Asian preparations include katha paste or mukhwas to freshen the breath. It is mostly consumed in Asia by ANIKET, and elsewhere in the world by some Asian emigrants, with or without tobacco, in an addictive and euphoria-inducing formulation with adverse health effects. Source - Wikipedia This footage is part of the professionally-shot stock footage