DNA readers narrate their memories about the food that still makes them homesick.
DNA readers narrate their memories about the food that still makes them homesick.
Calcutta Calling
Partha from Calcutta has adopted Mumbai as her hometown. She says – “I love the people, and their spirit. Endless travels in local trains and dabbawalas are great, but I miss the egg chicken roll of Lake Market and the Kobiraji cutlet of Radhu. I dream of the day that I will find something like these delicious memories in Mumbai, and wish the same for all my Mumbai friends.”
Hemangi Bapat is another Mumbaikar from Calcutta. She hails her hometown as her “beloved city”, saying — “The days during school in 1978 and 1979 were memorable. Calcutta was becoming a modern city. Metro work was in full progress and we had to climb hurdles to get to school everyday. At recess we would eat jhal mudi – even after thirty years, the thought of that unique bhel makes my mouth water. How can I forget the puchka – the lifeline of the city? For two rupees we ate ten puchkas, the most popular roadside snack in Calcutta. It’s not served with sweet chutney like Mumabi’s panipuri, but its unique taste, paired with the pudhina-dhania pani, will make you want to eat this everyday.
Other roadside snacks that Calcutta is famous for include chudmud, aloo kabdi, hara channa, chole bhature, eggrolls ,nimbu pani,green coconut, mistidoi, rasgullas, chamcham, radha vallabhi, aloo dum, fish chops, all types of bhajjas, chops of beet root, and of course Chinese food.
I miss all this, and more, because I have been living in Mumbai for 25 years now. Bengalis are basically food lovers; and they receive loved ones and guests with food. Non-Bengalis adopt this foodie-culture of the city very naturally, and today all I am left with is a longing to go back to a better time.”
Jamshedpur joys
Rishikesh Vyas of Jamshedpur longs for the Gujarati flavour of his home. He says — “Though I was brought up in this cosmopolitan city of Jamshedpur, the food I enjoyed was that what was served at home, like theplas, patras, cabbage with potatoes, or East Indian delicacies like litti chokha and jhal muri. Masala tea would complete many long evenings.
Settled in the city of dreams, aamchi Mumbai, I have lived alone for the past four years. I have explored all known and unknown restaurants. But food is like a struggle, more prolonged and hard-fought than daily train travel. In Jamshedpur I enjoyed the best steaming idlis and crunchy dosas at Madrasi Hotel as well as the homemade varieties. Chaat and papdis with a topping of tamarind chutney were spicier than any daily soap operas!
When I go home, I attack all my favourite food. This food is something I will miss for the rest of my life. Some tastes remain in your soul. Dad used to fondly tell mom that your daughter-in-law is going to curse you for being such a fabulous cook.”
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