Paul Mamu becomes part of Dharwad's history

People originally from Dharwad and most of whom migrated decades ago elsewhere across the state, country and world in search of green pastures were in for a sudden shock since late evening on Monday. They all shared similar sentiments, fond moments and profound grief in the passing away of Paul Cardoza of the renowned Hotel PAUL’S at Vidyagiri. He was 69 years old and not at all an age for his generation to bid adieu.

Walks to Death: Paul Cardoza was a little bit hefty for his height and age; otherwise there were no visible symptoms to hint of any ailments he had been challenged with. Even on the fateful day, he attended to the chores in the hotel until the afternoon before proceeding to neighbour Hubballi for a cardiac test. It is said that he literally walked to the health check-up facility to undergo the examination. No, he was not destinated for it as he suffered a massive stroke and never to recover!

A jovial personality: In the passing away of Paul Cardoza Dharwad has lost one of its proud sons with ancestral roots in Kerala. Paul Cardoza or Paul Mamu was a well-known hotelier of his times. A kind-hearted jovial soul he attracted loyal customers, admirers and well-wishers all along.

Series of never-ending experiences: Although initially there was a lull over the social networking sites on his demise it appeared only to be a starting trouble. Once the news of his passing away spread like wildfire, all online platforms became abuzz with tributes to the departed soul. Everyone started recalling their lifetime series of experiences and they look like going never-ending. In his own unique way, Paul Cardoza had etched his persona with the unmatchable city of Dharwad.

A great fan following… For record sake, Paul Cardoza is bereaved by his wife, a son and two daughters. But in reality, his untimely death is literally being grieved by tens of thousands of families all over the globe. You can imagine the numbers of students he got in touch with over several decades right from the early Seventies of the previous century. His varied delicacies in the morning, afternoon and evening won him not merely money-paying regulars but loving hearts all along for a lifetime!

Name the dish, and you’re bowled: Interestingly, Paul Cardoza had carved a niche for himself in delivering mouth-watering delicacies beginning in the early morning and continuing until late in the evening. If one cherished their taste buds with Idli and Vada for breakfast the list for the remaining part of the day seemed endless. His specialities’ included Puri, Masala Dosa, Mysuru Bajji (Goli Bajji), Sabudana Vada, Egg Rice, Fried Rice and Egg Curry Chapatti.

God for poor and needy students: Probably, if Paul Cardoza had only kept a count of currency notes for his eatables he would have ended up just like another owner of run-of-the-mill eateries. That was not the case with him. He proved himself to be God-sent to many of the poor and needy students who didn’t have the privilege to pay and eat. How many hoteliers can boast of such magnanimity these days?

Paul Mamu was sad these days: Pranav S.Khodanpur, a native of Vidyagiri and presently a Software Engineer at Codezyng Pvt Ltd in Udupi exclaims: Paul Mamu had served us, from our childhood days. We used to go with our parents which slowly turned out as a hangout with friends there to eat Sabudana Vada's, Mysore Bajji(Goli Bajji), Masala Dosas and how can I forget the egg rice?..

…Day began with Tea: During our 11th and 12th standards at JSS RSH PU Science College many a time we had our glass of morning tea at around 6:30 and around 7:00-7:30 Idlis and Vadas were available. My personal favourite is Puris and we used to have tea attend tuitions at Hanchinmani classes and have breakfast to continue with college. In the afternoon Paul Uncle served Egg rice, Fried Rice and Egg curry Chappati. I prefer to have chappati with egg curry…

…Only Half Day College: Remembering those days we most of the time never attended the other half day of college, sat in JSS ground, played games, gossiped until 4:30 go to Paul eat some snacks mostly Masala Dosa, Egg Dosa, Mysore Bajji(Goli Bajji) or Sabudana Vada, attend the evening sessions of tuition classes. A plate of egg rice or magi was the most sought-after item after the evening classes. I remember many a time Paul serving us the first tea in the morning and the last Maggi before they closed at night. Many a time when we would be short of money he used to serve us with a happy heart with just a simple request "ಮಾಮು ನಾಳೆ ಕೊಡತೆವಿ"…

…It’s all about money these days: A few days back when we visited he was proud of his old students those who visited him decades after completing their education, he felt sad about changing culture in education and the relationship between students and teachers, mentioning everything has changed nowadays it's all about money nowadays. Dharwad will miss Mamu and his high pitch voice at Paul's. He was called Mamu by closer ones”, concludes Pranav S Khodanpur.

Kinnigoli to Krishna Cafe: There is a popular perception that Paul Cardoza was a native of Kerala or a Mallu. But Venkatesh Shetty of Dharwad set rights the factual situation-“Paul Cardoza was a Catholic Christian but belonged to Kinnigoli near Kateel on the outskirts of Mangaluru. He migrated to Dharwad to join the then-famous Krishna Cafe as a worker. Meanwhile, he developed a good rapport with my elder brother Jayaram Shetty. Then my elder brother was doing catering business to the hostels run by the JSS Group of Institutions at Vidyagiri. In fact, it was our elder brother Jayaram Shetty who got him a small wooden box shop erected outside the college campus wherein he set up the thriving business. At first, it was only him and later he called his brother Vincent (Vincy) to assist him. After widening the road he moved to the adjacent direction”.

Pulav…for Rupees Two! Amruth Joshi reminisces-“It was in 1989 when I joined the KH Kabbur Institute to study Diploma. Most of the students were from Hubballi and surrounding villages, apart from some students from other states. During those days to quench one’s hunger along with the lunch box the only option was this Paul Canteen. Paul and his brother Vincent (Vincy) were running the roadside Dabba canteen. Paul donned the role of a cook while Vincy was a supplier. One could relish Pulav, curds raita and half tea equivalent to lunch for just Two rupees. It is difficult to forget the taste of Pulav. Likewise, the evening items Egg Dosa, Anda curry-Chapatti, and Egg burji among many others attracted others as well along with students”.

First eat and pay when you have: “The astonishing characteristic of Paul was his exemplary personality unmindful of money matters when the situations so demanded. He used to shout at those complaining of no money to pay. ‘First eat and pay when you have it”, used to be his way of admonishing. He truly had a large heart like any mother. It was in 1989-90 when a curfew was imposed due to an outbreak of violence over the Mandal Commission report. Paul played the true host by delivering food prepared at his house to outside students stranded in Dharwad”, recalls Amruth Joshi.

Lakshmi and Mary photo in the shop: He is also reminded of another instance-“Another speciality of Paul Canteen was Deepavali and Christmas celebrations. He used to call everyone for a feast on those days and rejoiced treating his guests in a sumptuous manner. He had kept photos of Lakshmi and Mary in his shop and it was a treat to watch him pray them with utmost devotion.

One Kannada sentence, one cup of Tea free! Perhaps one last word before concluding, says Amruth Joshi-“There was one student called Deelip Lavadia from Gujarat. We were trying to teach him Kannada. For such effort, Paul’s incentive was One Kannada sentence, one cup of Tea free. When someone quizzed him as to why the chatni was hard, he used to retort-Because the Corporation people have released water today! Perhaps there is no end to such instances to quote among tens of thousands of students. Perhaps instead of saying

Paul Anna I miss You; it should be like

Paul Sir, Dharwad Misses You”.

-Manohar Yadavatti