What can we learn about Bengali women’s complex relationship with food from bratas?

These observances prove that the idea of feminine propriety has not been entirely abandoned.

Priyadarshini Chatterjee

· Jan 28, 2023 · 11:30 am

A search across India for food that is cooked on stones

From Kerala to Ladakh, hot stones are used creatively by a few families and communities to grill, roast and bake.

Priyadarshini Chatterjee

· Jan 21, 2023 · 11:30 am

In Sukumar Ray’s hilarious poems, food was always served with a side of commentary

The pioneer of literary nonsense in India wrote at a time when British officials’ gluttony had became an object of ridicule.

Priyadarshini Chatterjee

· Dec 20, 2022 · 11:30 am

When turtle soup was a marker of social status in India

For the colonists and certain Indian communities, the rich and luxurious delicacy was the very apogee of good food.

Priyadarshini Chatterjee

· Dec 03, 2022 · 11:30 am

From teabags to spinach extract: Indians have always found creative dyes to colour their food

After all, it’s the eyes that feast first.

Priyadarshini Chatterjee

· Nov 19, 2022 · 11:30 am

What do ghosts in Bengal eat?

Like humans, supernatural beings have culinary likes, dislikes and idiosyncrasies. In their stories can be found reflections of our biases and tragedies.

Priyadarshini Chatterjee

· Oct 29, 2022 · 11:30 am

The legend of Indian khansama has become a hodgepodge of fact and fiction

Most people think the khansama of yore was just a professional cook. In reality, he was much, much more.

Priyadarshini Chatterjee

· Oct 08, 2022 · 11:30 am

Bengali food is deeply influenced by Tagore, but not the one you think

Dwarkanath Tagore’s culinary encounters and subversiveness forever changed the food of Thakur Bari and, by extension, Bengal.

Priyadarshini Chatterjee

· Sep 10, 2022 · 11:29 am

The history and diversity of picnic food in India, from the Mahabharata to the British Raj

Eating outdoors has been a tradition for aeons. It’s only the menu that changes with time and geography.

Priyadarshini Chatterjee

· Aug 27, 2022 · 11:30 am

How immunity-boosting food became a part of monsoon festivals in India

No matter where you go in the country, you will invariably find seasonal foods and dietary practices codified into rituals and festivals.

Priyadarshini Chatterjee

· Aug 13, 2022 · 11:30 am

Thank Mughal love for fruit for murabba’s popularity in India

A preserve made with sugar, spices and fruit, the murabba has many origin stories.

Priyadarshini Chatterjee

· Jul 27, 2022 · 11:30 am

The delicious story of how Milkmaid became the byword for condensed milk in India

Colonialism brought condensed milk to India. And it was colonialism, with capitalism, that made Milkmaid a pantry staple in urban kitchens.

Priyadarshini Chatterjee

· Jul 11, 2022 · 11:30 am