To beat the Chennai heat, I usually stop by some elaneer (tender coconut water) cart by the roadside. So, that day I stopped by a elaneer cart to quench my thirst. Usually, the elaneer sellers are men. I was mildly surprised to see a lone woman, manning the cart. There was a mound of tender coconuts balanced expertly on top of the push cart. Responding to my request for ‘ water only ’ nut, the lady selected a lemon green coconut from the pile. She rolled it into position with one hand while with the other, she deftly wielded the aruval (heavy iron knife). In few seconds she had shaved off the tough husk until the pale off-white skin of the tender coconut was exposed. With the same swift movement, she carved out a small hole on top of the tender coconut and handed it over to me to drink. I asked her to give me a straw so that I can drink it without spilling the water. She smiled and said almost mockingly, “ You city folks don’t know how to drink elaneer proper...