My dad is the only one in our family of four who knows how to cut and peel a betelnut. A betelnut is called tamul in Assamese. My mother does not know how to peel one, and neither do I, and it is something i have struggled with all my life - because either the tamul is too tough or too soggy, or too husky, or I can't seem to cut it into four equal parts. But my father peels it, cleans it, cuts it and presents it with such dexterity and grace, even when he is so sick he can not seem to get out of bed, give him a tamul and he starts working on it. He has been blessed with this rare ambidexterity (ability to use both hands), and often uses his left hand to carry out these intricate tasks, like screwing a nail or cutting the tamul. A sturdy, unripe shell is easier to crack and peel, while the dried up ones are husky and difficult, and I always wonder how he peels the dried ones so effortlessly. Removing the tough nut, he cracks it with the kotari banging on the marble slab i...