Manji's are still very much in - in villages mattress beds are no-no unless you have AC and generator or you're too deeth to register the heat. As I understand it, we have palang, manji and one more thing that I can't recall right now.
Anyway, what ppl usually complain about are those chubne wali manjis (chaar-pai in urdu) simply cuz it itches, unless you cover it with some soft mattress which kinda kills the idea of chaar pai. The process of preparing this thing is pretty interesting, I've seen them soaking the lakRi type thingie for longer periods in ahem jheel type places which I believe exist in all villages. Also used as swimming pool for Gai bhens etc. After that they wash it several times and roll 'em like rassi.
Nylon chaarpai's are also very much in, and very practical as you don't have to run around to ghaseet them inside if it starts raining, you can just pick up you pillow 'n chaadar and march inside, leaving behind the manji. But it kinda sucks if you're using 'em as sofa's during day time - The thing is that no matter where you sit on nylon chaarpai you'll slowly slide to the middle. Not a pleasant experience in summer or if the other person sliding to the middle is not your bestest friend. Alternative is that you sit on the edge, and you'll never forget nylon manji :)
Palang is made of this white cotton like stuff - it's supposed to be expensive, as compared to the regular ones. These tend to get dirty and washing plus putting them back on is a pain, as you need pretty good muscles to tie them good, or so it seems when others do it. This is the one with coloured legs, others are plain wood - It's also heavier then the others. These are ideally used in courtyards cuz of the looks and they're comfy, but as they're expensive and heavy I've noticed that they're being replaced by the nylon ones, a really bad idea.
Having 'mobile' manjis is probably one of the best things about Pak. The pain is to move them your self, but if you're smart, you can always work around this task :) It's nice to see others carrying them to the kotha, which is the best place to sleep in Pak. You hardly get a chance to count the stars here, lekin back home, you see everything, chipkalis, chimgadaR, those makhi type thingies dancing around batti, shadows on neighbours walls, first drop of rain on your face :) And if you've got good ears, perhaps gossip from across the roof too :-p
Did I mention that my German Mumani's favourite furniture was palang from Pak now she wants a truck :)
[This message has been edited by sabah (edited November 01, 2001).]
