Farewell to years and years of slices of love
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In the past week, a small blackboard appeared in front of Santha Bakery at Pulimood bearing a poignant note: “It’s time to say goodbye. Thank you all for everything.”
For some, it may seem just a few words on a board, but to many, it is a farewell to a lifetime of memories. For decades, this bakery has been a part of their lives, its aroma and warmth a companion in joy. As the shutters fall for the final time on Friday, it is not just the closing of a bakery shop - it is the end of an era, spanning three generations.
For over eight decades, Santha Bakery has been a part of Thiruvananthapuram. Whether it was the simple everyday bread, the festive plum cake, or the hot and spicy puffs or cutlets, Santha Bakery gave Thiruvananthapuram a taste of the best. Founded in June 1940, this bakery has been one of the pioneers in bringing in new flavours.
“After the formation of Kerala state, many people from Malabar, who had worked in the Madras Residency, opted for the Kerala government. Many from Malabar moved here with families. In the Malabar region, bakery culture had already gained popularity, influenced by the British. Here too, bakeries were becoming popular. The Secretariat, Post Office, and banks nearby were the backbone of our business,” says P M K Premnath, the current owner of the shop.
P M Krishnan, father of Premnath, moved from Thalassery to Thiruvananthapuram, to establish the Santha Bakery, and continued the legacy of the renowned Mambally family of Thalassery. This family is famous for Bapu, who is credited with creating the first Christmas cake in India. Over the years, Santha Bakery has become a beloved destination, attracting famous personalities who visit to taste its special makes.
“EMS Namboodiripad, A K Gopalan, P Krishna Pillai, and many others, had a close connection to my father through their involvement with the Communist movement, so they would often drop by. Sometimes, they would just sit and have friendly conversations here. People like Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan, Sathyan, Sukumari, and writers such as S K Pottekkatt have also visited the shop to buy things in the past,” Premnath says.
Santha Bakery was the first to introduce new tastes to Thiruvananthapuram, such as the doughnut in the 1970s, which people humorously referred to as ‘Inippu vada’ (sweet vada) at the time. They also offered hand-kneaded bread, apple cake, and many other firsts.
As news spreads of Santha Bakery’s impending closure, many of whom have been regulars since their childhood, are dropping in to bid farewell.
“I have been coming here since 1967. The item called ‘jam centre’ has been my favourite all these years. I know many people come here just for that. My grandfather, dad, me, and now my children too love it. We are four generations of ‘jam centre’ addicts. So, it is like we are all part of the history of Santha Bakery,” notes Jose Pottamkulam. He sat on the wooden stool for one last time before leaving the shop.
“The taste here is of nostalgia,” says Pradeep Godwin. “I used to come here regularly with my father when I was young. Everything, from the bread to the cakes, was a favourite of mine and my siblings.”
“The unique thing about this shop is the people who come here. For them, it is not just a shop—it is a connection, an emotional bond. Sometimes, when I talk to people, it feels like it is their shop and we are just running it on behalf of them. During Christmas, when it gets busy, the customers themselves pack and take their orders. That is how close their relationship with this place is. It is all about trust. That is what I am going to miss the most,” says Premnath.
The bakery is closing because of his health limitations, and the lack of interest in the family’s next-in-lines. “I had a desire to keep the shop running for 84 years. In June 2024, that milestone was reached. My next goal is to complete 50 years in this business, and that will be achieved within two years,” he says, adding their unit at Vazhuthacaud will continue to operate to help him hit the half-century.