An indispensable part of the Kodava kitchen, the sakala or chekala is a multi-purpose steam cooker, used to make paputt, kadambutt, noolputt and taliyaputt. The rounded bottom section holds water, above which a pierced separator allows steam to rise and cook the food placed on it. The lid of the terracotta version in the image also served as a plate. The rounded bottom rests on a ring of woven cane known as tekk which cushions the base and holds the vessel steady.
— From the collection of BP Appanna and Ranu Appanna