Hello,
Do you know the tales of Akbar-Birbal? For sake of all ye oblivious, they are moral stories for children of the great emperor Akbar & his witty courtier Birbal.
In my early years we used to live in a joint family in a big house. One of my vivid memories is sitting on the porch, cloistered around my uncle, listening to tales of Akbar-Birbal, during summer hols. Never figured why 'Birbal's Khichdi' was the most repeated tale. Hence in my flashback of the past, this one figures absolutely prominent.
You must google it, if interested in the entire story; but my best synopsis is served on the house - the emperor Akbar refuses the reward to a poor subject for winning a cold river challenge, claiming he cheated by borrowing warmth of a lamp glowing miles away but in his line of vision. Birbal cleverly tickles the emperor's folly by trying to cook a khichdi in pot, placed 1 feet away from the flame, proving the absurdity of 'borrowed warmth' from a distance.
By law of physics I agree with the story but, figuratively today evening I borrowed the warmth (or rather say the chill) of the weather back in Mumbai. It's monsoon time, where the city alternately awashed with gentle showers or lashed with torrential outburst. Whatever havoc the precipitation causes outside, in the coziness of your home, the only food people sigh over is pipping tea/coffee & straight from heaven aka kitchen - pakoras (yummm)
Since past 3 days the stories & pics of an inundated Mumbai is making the rounds. All my beloved back home are basking in battlefield glory and earning their well deserved plate of pakoras. Not wanting to be left salivating over those thoughts, I pulled on my sneakers and armed myself for my everyday sweltering jog.
No guesses I returned home adequately drenched. After a quick shower, I gathered all the ingredients for kanda bhajia/onion pakoras. Whilst dexterously frying those golden glories, I patted my back for the perfect excuse; "You can take a person outta Mumbai, but you can't get Mumbai out of a Mumbaikaar" ;)
Of course, before devouring them I took a wicked snap to share it with my devious friends & cousins who'd been mocking me for my loss of enjoying the awesome weather. "In your face people!!"
Like everything which is unique to the city, the kanda bhajias from Mumbai are unequivocally distinct in flavour. Do you know what makes it stand out? Carom seeds or Ajwain or Owa (as it's called in Marathi) just a pinch of crushed seeds and the humble kanda bhajia is transformed in a unforgettable delight. I've heard carom/ajwain is excellent for the digestive system, hence the deep frying is practically forgiven :D
Now satiated with my dinner, I've put on the AC full blast to relive the cozy chill of the rains right in my home in Auh, so that I can cuddle into my blanket & dream of the pitter-patter of rain.
This one's dedicated to all Mumbaikaar's carrying the spirit of Mumbai in their hearts, however far across the world.
Cheers!!!
Do you know the tales of Akbar-Birbal? For sake of all ye oblivious, they are moral stories for children of the great emperor Akbar & his witty courtier Birbal.
In my early years we used to live in a joint family in a big house. One of my vivid memories is sitting on the porch, cloistered around my uncle, listening to tales of Akbar-Birbal, during summer hols. Never figured why 'Birbal's Khichdi' was the most repeated tale. Hence in my flashback of the past, this one figures absolutely prominent.
You must google it, if interested in the entire story; but my best synopsis is served on the house - the emperor Akbar refuses the reward to a poor subject for winning a cold river challenge, claiming he cheated by borrowing warmth of a lamp glowing miles away but in his line of vision. Birbal cleverly tickles the emperor's folly by trying to cook a khichdi in pot, placed 1 feet away from the flame, proving the absurdity of 'borrowed warmth' from a distance.
By law of physics I agree with the story but, figuratively today evening I borrowed the warmth (or rather say the chill) of the weather back in Mumbai. It's monsoon time, where the city alternately awashed with gentle showers or lashed with torrential outburst. Whatever havoc the precipitation causes outside, in the coziness of your home, the only food people sigh over is pipping tea/coffee & straight from heaven aka kitchen - pakoras (yummm)
Since past 3 days the stories & pics of an inundated Mumbai is making the rounds. All my beloved back home are basking in battlefield glory and earning their well deserved plate of pakoras. Not wanting to be left salivating over those thoughts, I pulled on my sneakers and armed myself for my everyday sweltering jog.
No guesses I returned home adequately drenched. After a quick shower, I gathered all the ingredients for kanda bhajia/onion pakoras. Whilst dexterously frying those golden glories, I patted my back for the perfect excuse; "You can take a person outta Mumbai, but you can't get Mumbai out of a Mumbaikaar" ;)
Like everything which is unique to the city, the kanda bhajias from Mumbai are unequivocally distinct in flavour. Do you know what makes it stand out? Carom seeds or Ajwain or Owa (as it's called in Marathi) just a pinch of crushed seeds and the humble kanda bhajia is transformed in a unforgettable delight. I've heard carom/ajwain is excellent for the digestive system, hence the deep frying is practically forgiven :D
Now satiated with my dinner, I've put on the AC full blast to relive the cozy chill of the rains right in my home in Auh, so that I can cuddle into my blanket & dream of the pitter-patter of rain.
This one's dedicated to all Mumbaikaar's carrying the spirit of Mumbai in their hearts, however far across the world.
Cheers!!!
Lovely writing. Makes me miss my home too.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Yes food can be pretty nostalgic sumtimes
DeleteLovely writing. Makes me miss my home too.
ReplyDelete