Bonding over food

Food is an important part of any celebration around the globe. The mouthwatering delicacies not only enhance the festive spirit but also give a glimpse of how culturally diverse a cuisine can be. On the occasion of this festive season, some foodies talk about the array of traditional festive dishes that have been lined up.

“Food is a common identity that unites different communities, especially during a festival. ‘Dasara’ is one such festival where all the nine days are filled with fun and food. During this time, my mother prepares a lot of sweets like ‘holige’, ‘gulab jamun’ and ‘vattushavige’ and savouries like ‘chakli’, ‘murukku’ and ‘Mangalore buns’. My personal favourite among these are the soft ‘gulab jamuns’. What’s more, this time I have helped my mother in making the ‘jalebis’,” says Varshini Aparna, a student.

She adds that they distribute these sweets and savouries to their friends and relatives who visit them during the festival. Talking of an age-old tradition that her family follows, she says, “We offer ‘kumkum’, turmeric, dry fruits, flowers and homemade sweets to nine married women.”

Rashmi Nagraj, a business analyst, says, “Living in a joint family is always great but this turns into a blessing during festivals. It’s great fun when everyone gets together to make the food. They make the food that they cook the best. Talking about the sweets, Coconut ‘ladoos’, ‘chakli’ and ‘puffed rice ladoos’ are must-haves during ‘Dasara’. And I love munching on the ‘puffed rice ladoos’. ‘Gulab jamuns’ have been a favourite of mine since childhood and I remember how I loved gulping them down as a child.”

For Rashmi, the festival season is a time when she doesn’t mind consuming a few extra calories to get into the spirit of the festival.

Navaratri, which is a popular festival among the Sindhi and Gujarati communities, too sees food playing an important role.

Mamta Hemdev, a homemaker says, “Usually Navaratri is a grand affair and our family celebrates it with fervour. Food is something that binds us all together.

The family tends to bond with each other while relishing on the festive dishes. Since we don’t consume onion and garlic during the fast, we make ‘Navaratri special dal-rice and ‘kadhichawaltukka’.”

Sweets are universal favourites here too. The ‘Rava halwa’ and ‘badam halwa’ has many takers. She also prepares a drink called ‘chandan ka sharbat’ during this festival.