My Tryst with Bengali Food.

During my college days at Heriot Watt University, I along with a few of my friends used to stay in a shared accommodation in Edinburg.  I was quite homesick of the fact that it would be the first time that I would be away from home. But, to make up for this depression I decided to treat myself to some great Bengali food. It was one of the weekdays and also my day off from work and I along with my friends decided to discover Bengali food in Mumbai.  We hired a taxi and in those days that was a luxury, so we decided to share the fare. And, then began my search for Bengali food, which at the end of it died down because I was aghast, shocked and yet again depressed to find out that there was just not one single food joint that served Bengali food. 

 It was October of 2006 and my first Durga Puja in UK. I had decided that I would for sure not have the mess food and the hard truth was that I did not have so much money to go and dine in a restaurant. It was a Sunday and I was yet again into one of those semi depressed moods, when one of my room mates, Sunil pushed me to pally with him out for a brunch followed with some drinks. As we were entering the pub, a lady was handing over pamphlets to a nearby food festival.  I noticed it said “Authentic Indian Cuisines” and I grabbed my friend who was just about to take a bite of his steak and next we found ourselves standing in a ground with a never-ending line of stalls. I thought to myself how am I going to discover this stall until I sensed a whiff of fish curry that some other guests were having. I just asked them directions to the stall they got it from and finally we arrived.

There was a British local cooking Bengali Fish and Chicken Curry. This was it I told to myself that I need to get this person to deliver us food, but how? I struck up a conversation with the chef and we both came to know that we had a common journalist friend. So, with much deliberation, I requested this friend of mine to persuade the chef to provide us a tiffin service. But, the Chef outrightly refused.  Next was I figured out that it was his birthday and reached his house with a bottle of wine, which of course he could not refuse. And the next was I had cooked some Malpua (an authentic Bengali sweet made with jaggery) to bribe him with. And then placed my proposal that we would provide him with the fish and that too cut in pieces, while all he had to do was to cook it for us!  Although it was not the best but at the end of it for me it was soul food.

 My story now moves into 2010. It was raining heavily in London and I was working and also pursuing my higher studies at Kingston University. On usual Sunday afternoons or evenings, we would have these small pot meals in our house which had twelve occupants and luckily all of them were from different countries.  It would be nothing elaborate but just a typical confluence of different meals. And, then my friends just kept calling me and asking me when would they next crash to have this meal again! In fact, one of my very close friends and a very renowned person in the British Theatre called me to say that it’s time that I start this hobby of mine on a commercial front.

For the moment I had shrugged off the idea since it was just not one fine morning you could start off. There was a lot of homework to be done and the first being naming the baby! My love for Bengali food has even been a part of all my travelogues. My wife and I had not travelled out for a very long time and then in the March of 2017 we decided to go to Bangkok for a few days. While the first three days I enjoyed the food culture of the Thai’s starting from Sushis, Yakitoris and Noodles, I slowly started to get withdrawal syndromes towards accessing Bengali food. It was afternoon and we had an early breakfast hence our hunger levels had shot up. I was bent upon finding a Bengali restaurant and I asked our driver cum local guide to help us. After a lot of struggle, he mentioned a place but the only way to go was on foot. After a while, both my wife and I were literally panting to reach to the place, in fact I even sprained my ankle. Although, my wife had got frustrated and irritated with this uncalled adventure of mine, I finally managed to push myself and her spirits to get to a place called, Amaar Bangla Kitchen… Yes! you heard me right, we finally found a place in the heart of a bustling neighbourhood which truly turned out to be place worth its name!

 My work included travelling abroad for shoots, This was such an incident where I had to travel to Wales with a client and family friend as they were shooting for a car.  I had to be there for almost a week.  So, while for the first three days I somehow managed experimenting with Welsh food (and the experience, well the less I say would be better). It was a Saturday afternoon and I proposed to have some Indian food, not pronouncing my dying wish to pounce on Bengali food! We started our journey and yet again I was experiencing my younger days in Dubai as there was no Indian food, forget about Bengali food in miles!

I had almost given up hope and I could well sense the irritation of my colleagues as their hunger pangs were leaping off limits. We were near a sweet shop and I enquired if there were any Indian restaurants nearby when one of the customers in the shop mentioned to check in of the by lanes. Unfortunately, we had to leave the car at a distant and walk and as soon as we entered the lane the first restaurant that was there said Bengal Village, Words will fall less to express the immense glee that showed on my face. Not only did I order almost everything they had on their menu but also took take away packets. Even my client and our local friend was overwhelmed with the food they had!

It was summer in Amsterdam and I along with my friends decided to holiday. Now, the problem with one of my friends is that he cannot stay without nothing but only Bangla food. But, its Amsterdam after all, I said to myself and I was sure that it would not be so bad as my previous experiences. And, it was dinner time as we were scanning places, I was surprised that there were a number of Bengali restaurants including a big community in Amsterdam that called itself ‘Hoichoi’.      

At the end of it while every country would laud about their own cuisine, but for me there is no better love than the love for Bengali food. And as the saying goes, “Shob khabar ek baar, kintu Bangali khabar… Baar Baar” Because, for Bangla food, every Bengali will go to limits that is beyond any one’s imagination!

 

Naari - The Inner Shakti

Travel across the Indian landscape and you can experience the widespread worship of the Goddess in numerous forms starting with Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Parvati and Kali. Women were initially made to believe that their central role is nothing but being a home maker. The men of the family would take the women for granted. As western perspectives came into being women started to enter into the work force, taking up a number of roles. But still in a masculine controlled society, women had not still got their share of respect for their inner qualities. And then came the awakening of a sacred power - Shakti

The traditional concept of women has been given a parallel synonym of Goddess. Their inner qualities are the power that lies within them. But, Shakti, here is not the power of incorporation that creates a divide between conflict and aggression, instead it’s a bond that unites souls, feelings and brings peace. It’s the amalgamation of wisdom and enlightenment which gives refinement and sensitivity. Today, this power is misconstrued and wrongly promoted. While, Shakti is seen as a power that encourages personal self assertion as the prime objective, it also contradicts itself to its actual meaning of building a community, relationship that extends to the world as a single entity.

Shakti is synonymous to Dharma, a power to uphold, support and formulate giving us vitality and making us aware to accomplish our goals and decision- making skills. It’s the power that helps us to unify our individual nature with the Universe, thereby energizing Dharma in the outer world and Yoga within the individual. Contrarily, the inner Shakti has no ideology but moves as a ‘flow of grace’.  Today, being in a democratic society, Shakti works best in a community that encourages like-minded individuals to work together for their self-well- being.

Its time that India take a stand to promote the power of Shakti through education - by educating women, young girls and empowering them with the belief that they too are a part of the community. In India, women is only seen as an object who handles household chores. In this realm of a fast- paced environment they are left behind in the education. Education for women is crucial for them to address the gap between modernism and feminism. Today, women have excelled far better than the masculine gender both professionally and creatively too.

Lets all look towards building a nation that is strongly upheld with feminine powers as Ma Durga and Ma Kali. Because, the day the woman changes the nation will change, since in every aspect of our life whether it be art, culture sports or even politics, the sole identity has been NAARI - The Inner Shakti.

Bengali's First Love - The Jhorna Ghee

Kitchens in a traditional Bengali household look is nothing less than a space research center. Every shelf will be stacked with different spices, condiments and most importantly a bottle of Ghee. But, however neatly things are kept, during the time of cooking, one is bound to find a scene of pandemonium with the cook scanning all around the kitchen for a particular spice or a seasoning. Amidst all these there is one special space always reserved for one special item. In fact, no Bengali kitchen is complete without the presence of this ‘heavenly jewel’ - The Jharna Ghee (also pronounced as Jhorna). 

Most of my readers might be wondering what is the big deal behind a bottle of ghee (clarified butter). Well, for any Bengali kitchen one would see a list of branded ghee from Anik Ghee me this is just not any other ghee. Jharna Ghee is an integral component for any Bengali cuisine. During my childhood I would long for the season of rains to begin. Am I sounding strange? Well it might because, “in the spring of a young Bengali’s fancy turns lightly to the thoughts of Khichuri”. I am sure Lord Tennyson may not be pleased by me butchering his immortal line. But, on a rainy Kolkata afternoon if I had treated him to a piping plate of hot Gobindobhog Rice, with mashed potatoes and a subtle dash of Jharna Ghee drizzled on top of it, I am sure he would relent it too.

During my summer holidays I recall we had gone to Bow Bazar and Sodepur. Welcome to the Sunderban Dairy & Farm, the mecca and the birthplace of the creation of this100 years old ghee. I was fortunate enough to actually witness how this ghee was created at the diary, since my father had a friend who used to work here. From that very moment everything that I relished had a touch of Jharna ghee. To an extent I recall an incident that occurred when I was working in London. We had an event party and the management had ordered for a special themed menu each signifying a cultural touch to it. While, we were ready with everything and we were ready to hit the floor. Moments before I was going through the checklist and to my utter shock found that there was no Jharna Ghee on the table. With me was the Head Chef  of 32 Street, Tom Aldwin and his team of brand chefs all looking blank! I remember, one of my colleague telling me in Hindi (so that others cannot decode), “Lahiri, ab rehne de, iss time pe Jharna Ghee kahan milega. I only looked upto him and said that we would not have a party if there is no Jharna Ghee and left the venue.

I started calling some of my Bengali friends in London, even started to scan online stores that could possibly deliver us the same. I was slowly sensing that I may have to go without this jewel, until my friend, Amitesh (a resident of London) sent me the address in a place called Shadwell and Brick Lane. The clock was ticking and and my colleague and I took to the next available metro. Next, I found myself in a place that looked like a lost part of Kolkata.

After scanning every possible shop, we finally pit stopped in front of a fishery store where there were only two bottles of Jharna Ghee left! I think luck was on our side and during the pop up Chef Aldwin along with my boss came upto me and in a serious tone informing that, Jeff Brixton, (Former Mayor of London) who was our Chief Guest for the party has asked for me. I was surely s@#$d for life until I saw him picking up the bottle of Jharna Ghee and telling me, “This tastes like heaven, can I take a piece of this home”. And, I stood there smiling at the fact that a prank was played on me and with pride I replied, “Sorry Sir, that’s every Bengali's and my only love, which I cannot share”! But I made it upto his request by specially hand delivering him a box of it when my parents came over to London meet me.

Later, that evening after the pop up was over, I decided to cook some special dishes for my team mates amongst which was the famous Moong Dal, Khichuri, followed with Ilish Bhaja and a few other items. While, tasting my boss asks me, “Gentleman what a lovely fragrance and what taste. Can you please share this recipe with me..And I laughed and said, it’s a secret that will remain one as I looked at the extra bottle of Jharna away from anyone’s eyes but mine and slowly whispered, Oh! Jhorna… Oh my darling!

Making you feel special

“Food is symbol of love when words are inadequate.”  

– Alan D. Wolfelt

From childhood I was very choosy with what I would wear and most importantly what I would eat. Hailing from a middle class traditional Bengali family, I was taught that rice and fish were to be my only close friend. While, chicken or mutton who I treated to be dearer could visit me once a month. So, in short, feeding me was almost like being at war with yourself. Until one fine sultry evening my mother discovered that my taste buds attracted something so authentic that she could not believe her eyes. Although, for a moment she felt that it was the hunger that was calling but it was on this particular day that all my five senses had got attracted to the whiff of this cuisine. Until, after a few years I again had a rendezvous with this mystery cuisine and this time my parents definitely realized that I did have some connection with them! - CHINESE!

Surprised? Shocked or Amazed? Well I am not too sure about my readers but my parents were definitely. The journey began with my then most favourite and only joint in Dubai which probably served the best of Chinese cuisine was Golden Dragon.  

It was during Durga Puja while staying at Kolkata, I had noticed that there were quite a few restaurants that had started to serve Chinese. Although my taste buds were dancing to try each one of them until my foodie friends called me up and informed that there was a new outlet that had opened at Gurusaday Road.

At first my parents were unwilling to step out in the hustle bustle of the city. Moreover, they were least interested to stand in a never-ending queue but with the help of my cousins we managed to persuade them to go. It’s a long time and I don’t exactly remember what the menu was but when I did complete our dinner, believe me or not, that was the first time I enacted the famous dialogue from Sholay, “Yeh haath mujhe de de thakur” (Thakur, give me your hands) in the most cinematic manner, because I really wanted to keep those hands who had created this wonder of a dish which tasted something that words alone can’t express. This is when I was first introduced to ‘Mainland China’. 

After having completed my higher studies in the UK, I had for the first time travelled with a team to Mumbai on an assignment.It was a summer afternoon and to add to it we had been a part of a boring conference. So, in order to compensate we decided that we very much deserved a decent meal. They say there is no sincerer love than food.  Just as we were deciding on options for a good eatery joint my friend Sunil called over. Call it coincidence or not he mentioned that there is an outlet of Mainland China in Andheri. Since, he was a Mumbaikar it did not take us too much time to find the spot.

As I entered the restaurant, for the first time it seemed as if I was entering a temple. There was a silent sound of the Chinese chimes playing in the background with pin drop silence, as diners were meticulously concentrating on doing just one thing. EATING!  We were greeted by the restaurant manager and then was asked our choice for Ala Carte or the buffet. For the very first time I was taken away with surprise when I experienced their never-ending buffet spread. After a very long time I felt so elated to know that, after all, there was a brand that exuded a hospitality far beyond international standards.

For over two months we have been in a state of lockdown and dining out is definitely not happening. So, one is just left with no choice but to sit back tight and have home food. Until one Saturday afternoon my wife was craving to have Chinese.

I had taken for granted that no restaurants would be operating for obvious reasons and hence I was about to give up the idea and go to her with a sore face. Until I saw a post on Facebook, that read, “Speciality Kitchens- Now get your favourite delicacies delivered to your doorstep”. I was not only pleasantly surprised, but truly loved the idea of how they had laid down their steps of maintaining hygienic standards. 

When you order from Mainland China the package entails the information of the temperature of the chef preparing the food, followed by the temperature of the person packing it and finally the temperature of the delivery person at the time he picks up the order from the outlet. Furthermore, there are steps mentioned in the form of a sticker pasted on the delivery bag. 

This entails the step by step procedure of opening your package in the most safe and hygienic manner.  Once you receive the package there is a FREE hand sanitizer sachet for you to sanitize yourself first before you proceed to open the package. The contents of each dish are securely stored in separate containers which are 100% Food Grade to prevent cross-contamination.  Over the years the brand has made its presence felt over continents and has now carved for itself an identity not only locally but globally too.  Having completed over 25 years in this food industry the only mission of this magnum opus of a brand has been to provide their guests with food that is authentic to its core. 

Well, as I am writing, I felt the urge of ordering food from them. It seems it has arrived and I am already getting intoxicated by the essence of the smoky feel of the  Pan-Fried Soya Garlic Noodles,  the fragrance of the Sizzling Lamb and my most 'treasured' soup, The Eight Treasured Soup (a recipe I await to smuggle from the hands of its creator!).  

As they say that there are moments, there are memories. But if there is someone who makes these moments larger than life and most importantly if its Chinese it gotta to be from just one place…. MAINLAND CHINA. Because it is all about '

'Making you feel special’. So, EAT HEALTHY & STAY SAFE!

PS: KEEP ORDERING!

Mind the Gap - Distant Socializing

The one who are separated by distance but dine together - A perfect couple

From setting up lawn chairs in driveways for socially-distant neighborhood parties to conversing with one another from apartment building balconies people have been finding innovative ways to continue socializing with friends and neighbors. Amongst all of these, dining has always been such a companion that has brought people together.

Whether it is a lunch party or meeting over drinks with your old buddies the essence of socializing has always been face to face in its utmost physical form. Take for instance, our very own City of Joy, Calcutta which is famous for its chit chats of many sorts. From having addas on something that has an edge of adventure followed with cups of teas and coffees or sitting at the coffee houses and discussing literature, cinema and culture had its own essence and magnanimity.  But now the world has taken a different route altogether where this art of entertainment is going to undergo a slow death. Does that mean we will be cutting of all means of socializing in the post COvid world is a thought that might have crossed most of our minds.

In fact, we are in the mode of entering a new world altogether. One where large gatherings and social events will soon become private and exclusive. Hopping to a bar to meet your friends will convert to smaller house parties. Lounges in clubs will take the shape of living rooms in your houses. Most ironically, greetings will be verbal than physical. Well, you can forget giving the pecks or hugging, instead it’s going to be a folded hand gesture or a “Hi” from a distance.

Tea parties will take place via Skype and Zoom. While you are at home you call over your friends on these apps and basically enjoy a ‘Virtual Tea Party’. Sounds crazy? Well it’s going to get crazier than this with time! We will now be having virtual birthday parties and is that fine, come to think of it, if we can’t have the cake, the least we could do is dress up and sing ‘Happy Birthday!’ via video conferencing apps.

We have been discussing of how the world is going to work in this ‘new normal’ environment. So, are people going to be visiting restaurants? Or for that matter will they at all be dining for say the next 4-6 months? An industry which accounts for the largest employer of the workforce have already started to think on the lines of operating with a short team. Does that mean we are looking at a ‘contactless’ dining space? 

The other day my friend was suggesting me with a tone of sarcasm, that its not too far where he would find drones flying over his table or robots coming and taking down orders! For a moment his suggestion quickly took me to the sets of Spielberg or Josh Lucas!

I told him that I hope that it’s not going to be that bad, while his reaction was is it? But if such a thing really is on the cards then we are soon going to lose on having a physical interaction. 

The essence of celebrating a Valentine’s Day or an anniversary at a restaurant would mean asking the couple to sit at a length’s distance.  By the end of your evening, the maximum they could do is just send messages via What’s App! I might be exaggerating my suspension of belief but what if this is actually the reality we are about to face.

We are surely heading into a world where it is certain that for the next few years socializing and camaraderie in public places would become a distant thing. The essence of finding the time to have a face to face meeting will get replicated with a FaceTime. Our focus to zoom in the minute feelings of goofing off will be made out of focus by Zoom. The vitality in feeling a connection will mostly happen over a Skype and all the kibitz, dawdle and giving high fives by saying, “hey buddy was sup” will have to be limited to just a “What’s App” call.

In the end of all this there is still a ray of hope that while dining out will come with its prohibitions, the fun and frolic will continue in house parties and potlucks. There will be music and the world will continue to be a better place to live in but with a change in how we think. So, while you enjoy all the moments of your life do not socially distant yourselves but ‘distant socially’ because we are heading into an era where at every step the world will be announcing, “MIND THE GAP!”

The Power of Ma

  "To the world you are a mother... To us you are the world"

“Aaj mere paas buildings hai, property hai, bank balance hai, bungla hai, gaari hai… Kya hai tumhare paas?”. And there was a long silence, until Shashi Kapoor in his most under toned voice responds, “Mere paas MAA hai”.

A nation was stunned and that feeling still lingers amongst every movie buff.

If I had to rewind myself it was Indian cinema that had made the figurative speech of “MA” its most essential ingredient of success.

So, whether it was “Rakhee Gulzar” or the Late “Nirupa Roy”, they had instilled into us the essence of mother. Over the years this essence has slowly died down in the India’s “New Age” cinema. In fact, Ma has now been promoted to
Mom or Mummy until we entered 2019 and then we encountered scripts that were mother centric can not only be intriguing but thrilling too. Reeling out from the reel life and entering into the real life the question arises, are our mother’s equally so dramatic? In the cold wintry night of 1986, September 02nd, I started kicking fiercely quite successfully disturbing my mother’s sleep. And on the morning of the 03rd as the sun’s rays fell on St Mary’s Hospital, Kolkata (then Calcutta) I entered into this world with a bang! To me this lady was pretty a stranger because I was surrounded by nurses most of the time and was kept with many other female babies! But when my eyes first met her’s, I could feel that tear trickle from the corner of her eye. What we most famously market in all Indian movies as “Yeh toh khushi ke aasoon hai pagle”.

From pencil pokes to pulling my hair or from stretching my ears to making my cheeks go red or showing her grinning teeth or almost turning into one of Frankenstein’s characters, she has not let go any moment of expressing her love. And this would be at its epitome especially when I would sit with her for my studies. She would wear a pair of gigantic 1980’s style reading glasses and the pencil in her hand would not look less than a whip! No doubt, that I finally realized and was sure that she was a descendant of Adolf Hitler, until I bestowed her the title of “Mother Hitler” and till date she still holds that title.

But there was also another side to this character. It started with preparing me for fancy dresses or teaching me the piano or for that matter preparing me for elocutions and such contests which would go on till the wee hours of the morning and she would not only stay awake with me but also prepare me a warm cup of tea. Today, after thirty four years, countless days and nights and where time never seems to stop, I am still in awe of this character and for some reason I never was able to call her ‘Ma’, (although she still awaits that time when I would), instead I would call her by her nickname (hidden for privacy) and while that in my extended family was seen as a crime, I decided to continue to commit it!

While, I am most close to Baba, but the journey that I have travelled and if I had to thank one person, it would be the driver of this vehicle, it would be this strength, it would be this power - the world may know it by different identities and names but what lives on is a never dying essence and a resonance in its sound…. ‘MA’.

#happymothersday #ma #power #shakti

Dance Along... International Dance Day

"Dance is more than mastering steps, it's about living life."

An art that has its origins in ancient Egypt that dates back 5300 years old and in India that dates back

even further (almost 9000 years) - DANCE. An art that gives you the power to express.  It makes you feel real from within.

The old Bollywood dance in the late fifties included a mustachioed hero standing still with a wilful lot of dance attendants circling around him to some interminable tune. Actors would keep a distance from their female lead and apart from running from tree to post it was just the music that was doing the wonder.

Until, in the end of sixties, precisely in 1957, an actor decided to break from the boundaries of old-style and experiment something completely out of the box. Seethed by a Westernized sex appeal the actor changed himself to a character. From a playboy, a clown to a ceaseless ragger with his Elvis duck tailed hair, tossed his head sideways, spun round, shook his hips creating a cinematic explosion and India had given birth to its first dancer, Shammi Kapoor.

From wilderness of Kashmir in Kashmir Ki Kali to the romantic evening lights of Paris in ‘An Evening in Paris’ or jumping out of snow in Junglee, Shammi ji had made his audiences shout ‘Yahoo’. In 1965 with Bhoot Bangla, the veteran actor, Mehmood decided to introduce India with its first free style westernized dancing pattern, ‘the twist’. Just a year later, arrived India’s multi thriller movie, Teesri Manzil. Not only did it popularize western music but overnight Shammi Kapoor became the ‘Rocky’ of every woman’s heart. The oomph, the glamour, the sensuality and of course the dance steps. From ‘O Haseena Zulfowali’ to ‘Yahoo’, Shammi Kapoor not only became an overnight sensation but also earned the moniker, ‘Elvis Presley of India’.

As India was enjoying its twists and turns, the western world was a prodigy took birth to an African American family in Gary, Indiana (Chicago). The eight member of ten siblings was asked to take up to singing and no longer he was a part of his own family’s musical band which was formed in 1964 as the lead singer. 

In 1965, America got introduced to its first dancing sensation, Michael Joseph Jackson, we popularly know as Michael Jackson (MJ). From albums like Thriller, Mowtown 25 to HiStory this dancing legend had made the world say you are Bad and Dangerous.

Although it was debatable on who first invented the ‘Moonwalk’, while some say that it was an American tap dancer Bill Bailey, studies and articles suggested that MJ learnt this step from celebrity dancer and singer of the R&B (Rhythm & Blues) group Shalamar. This was initially a backslide move of the legs and ankles which Michael later immortalized it as the Moonwalk. Over time, the legend continued to give the world numerous hits so much so that he went on to be the only singer to have won eight Grammy Awards in one single night which gave him the title, ‘The King of Pop’ by Elizabeth Taylor in the 1989 Annual Grammy Awards.

As we have crossed over 100 years of dancing, there have been many who have come performed in their own virtue. But these two legends have defined the essence of dancing through their sheer nature of passion and dedication towards this art that still is patronized by millions of his fans and dancing celebrities all over the world.  This International Dance Day as we celebrate these two legends, take the lead and let the other follow, determine the direction and let the other decided the journey. It does not matter the steps taken it does not matter how you look. Because all that matters in that moment is how you express!