A paan dan (Hindi: पान दान, Bengali: পানদানি, Urdu: پان دان , English: Betel case) is a container for storing paan (betel leaf) used in South Asian households. It also stores other ingredients such as zarda, supari (or gua), kattha, choona (also known as "soon"), clove, cardamom (elachi), and other accessories.[1] A paan dan is silverware used mostly to store betel leaf, betel seeds and most other spices for making a paan. A paan dan is often made of perforated metal and has several compartments for storing the individual ingredients for making paan.
Etymology
Paan dan (case to store Paan) in shape of peacock. Originating from Cambodia during the Longvek era (17th or 18th century)
A paan dan was commonly carried in previous eras. The dancing girls of the court of Nawabs in Lucknow carried a paan dan of pure silver, coated with fine Mughlai work of Lucknow.[6] Historically, Betel leaf and its seeds were usually consumed by field workers and other rural inhabitants. People chewed it to suppress their hunger as it has mild painkilling effects similar to a narcotic.
Size
The size of a paan dan varies, but can be approximately 3.93 inches high, 10.43 inches wide, and 7 inches long. It usually weighs around 2 pounds.
Production
This Paan Dan was engraved with both Islamic art and its character to symbolize its origin.
Every design is handcrafted by an artist and each paan dan has its own characteristics, individuality and uniqueness.[7] A paan dan may be custom made to satisfy a customer's taste and usually reflects the customer's personality. Most silverware crafted by local craftspeople have a mark or two on the bottom as a hallmark or signature of the artisan. A paan dan is usually crafted out of silver and covered with an oil to prevent the silver from tarnishing.
Modern use
Today, people still use paan dan to store their betel leaves and seeds.[7] However, over time the majority of people have quit chewing betel leaf, so artisans are having a tougher time economically. Even the custom of handing out paan dan during a wedding ceremony has decreased. Local craftspeople are finding that youngsters are not interested in learning to craft paan dan since it doesn't pay much as chewing paan is only popular during Ramadan.
Aside from consuming bland betel leaves, people consume paan where they wrap the seeds with betel leaf flavored with lime paste.[8] Paan has many benefits as it is used for painkilling effects and is also used as a laxative and promotes digestion.