DNA Edit: Ode to the ​Rosogolla

Behold it swimming in sugary syrup, a beauty infused with divine taste. If the rosogolla inspires poetry, the credit goes to one Nobin Chandra Das whose confectionery skills gave birth to an iconic sweetmeat in the late 1860s. Since then, the rosogolla has travelled far and wide as Bengal’s cultural and culinary ambassador, pampering the taste​ buds of diverse cultures that have ceremoniously associated Bengalis with this profound creation. 

The Geographical Indication tag, which must have left fellow Odiyas bristling with rage, is but a formality, a civilised way to put an end to fierce sabre-rattling that could have been avoided by an otherwise friendly neighbour of Bengal. The rosogolla fosters a spirit of inclusiveness. It is a celebration of the ‘sweetsomeness’ of life​: A dessert that rounds off a sumptuous meal​; an indulgence that doesn’t care for an occasion, yet can’t be done without during festivities and community bonding​; a yearning to return to the roots​; and a lullaby for the rebellious spirit of ​cholchhe na, cholbe na. One doesn’t need a sweet tooth to understand Bengal’s obsession with rosogolla, though it might help to gain a deeper insight into the Bengali way of life. 

At the onset of winter, love gets a seasonal touch with the new jaggery. It acquires a colour, markedly different from its pristine whiteness. And, the taste? Well, a diabetic wouldn’t mind indulging in the adventure sport of popping in a few in record time. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was one of the early birds to tweet about Bengal’s victory in the paternity suit because she knew her state could do with some good news in these trying times. For Bengalis​ clinging on to the vestiges of a glorious past, success hasn’t tasted so sweet for a long time.