Narsingdi:Turning a skill he learned during his years as a migrant worker in Malaysia into a livelihood, over-60-year-old Mahtab Uddin has been making and selling the popular Malaysian delicacy 'Canai Roti' at Hatirdia Bazar in Narsingdi for nearly 18 years.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Mahtab has earned a reputation among food lovers for his skillful hands and unique technique of spinning and stretching dough in the air. His Canai Roti draws customers not only from the locality but also from different parts of the country, making his stall a popular attraction at Hatirdia Bazar in Monohardi upazila.
A visit to the market on Monday morning revealed customers gathering at his shop to enjoy the distinctive taste of Canai Roti, served with 'bhaji, dal and eggs'. The sight of Mahtab preparing the roti has become an attraction in itself, with people of different ages gathering to watch his seemingly magical technique. Inspired by Malaysia's popular street food, his Canai Roti has become a favorite among local customers and food enthusiasts traveling from distant areas.
Mahtab begins preparing the dough at around 300 am, using flour and ghee. Despite his age and the physical effort involved, he continues the business with the help of three employees, driven by the popularity of the Malaysian delicacy. His technique involves spinning a ball of dough in the air without using a rolling pin, gradually stretching it into a thin, sheet-like layer, before frying it on a griddle in soybean oil to produce a distinctive, multi-layered flatbread.
Mahtab attributes his venture to the skills he acquired abroad, stating, "I lived in Malaysia for a long time. I learned how to make this roti while staying there. After returning home, I thought about whether I could use the skills I had acquired abroad to start something of my own." He also shared that his journey from a migrant worker to a self-reliant entrepreneur has created a unique story at Hatirdia Bazar, as noted by local residents.
Mahtab has a daughter who graduated from Dhaka University and is now leading her own family life, while his son lives in Saudi Arabia. Despite various challenges, Mahtab has built a livelihood by offering people a taste of something different, with the support of food lovers who come to enjoy the Malaysian Canai Roti and what he describes as the companionship of the Almighty.