Recently, a post on X showcased a video from a hotel in Bengaluru featuring ancient cloth fans used in India centuries ago. Originally operated manually, these fans are now electrified. The user who shared the video on X commented, “Latest types of fans. In a hotel at Bangalore. Life is a circle.”
Watch Here:
*Latest type of Fans*
*In a Hotel at Bangalore.. Life is a Circle..*👍 pic.twitter.com/VKLW9XukkY— Surendra Tapuriah 🇮🇳 (@Bobbycal) July 9, 2024
In response, another user posted an old picture showing how these ceiling fans were manually handled in the British era by people known as ‘pankhawalas’. They reminisced, “reminds me of the pankhawalas during the British era.”
Many users found the video eerie, with one commenting, “looks a bit haunted, not gonna lie,” and another saying, “No less than a horror movie.” Some questioned which hotel in Bengaluru the video was from and also discussed the food there.
Historically known as ‘punkahs’, these fans were a luxury in hot and humid climates like India’s since the 17th century. Originating from West Asia in the sixth century BC, punkhas created a gentle breeze rather than strong airflow. They were operated by pulling a rope, often through a hole in the wall, and the operators were called ‘punkahwallahs’. One user remarked, “This is even from before my Dada time.”
Another user doubted their effectiveness, noting, “Isn’t it a big distraction? Moreover, I am sure it doesn’t throw air as much as a normal ceiling fan does.”
