There is a lot said about a photo speaking a thousand words. But sometimes, a photograph explodes into an orchestra of thousands of amazing tastes and memories.
My friend, food consultant, blogger, and curator of "cuisines traditionale" (that's me trying to be french) , Saee Koranne-Khandekar , recently created, curated and managed the Mejwani Thali Festival at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Navi Mumbai, highlighting Traditional Maharashtrian Vegetarian Meals, as eaten in typical homes.
My friend Sudha Ganpati of Navi Mumbai attended this, and posted this wonderful photograph, listing out the entire menu, and her unbridled delight at being able to enjoy such a wonderful meal . I e-tasted it all, and had to post her photo of the thali. Thank you, Sudha !
Like I said, I was not there, but the photo said many things. Most of them were in Marathi, and I just put them down here as a poem ....
**** Now edited to add an English version too !
(Those who want to rush to Navi Mumbai, remember, this Mejwani Vegetarian festival is on till September 15, 2015, 7.30-11 pm, at Four points by Sheraton, Vashi, Navi Mumbai. )
खाडी पलीकडे गठ्ठ्यात बसून
सोस सोसाने प्रवास करून पोचलेले हिरवेगार केळीचे पान , शेराटनभाऊन कडे ठरलेला बघण्याचा कार्यक्रम , आणि येताच सईबाईनि पाठीवर ठेवलेला आश्वासक हात. धाउन वाफेशी युद्ध करून अगदी स्वतःचे तुकडे करून साजूक तुपात कढीपत्ता, मिरची मिसळून पावन होउन, पाठ राख्ह्या भावाची भूमिका निभावणारी बटाट्याची भाजी ; सर्व प्रकार समभाव म्हणत शेंगदाणे, चण्याची डाळ , बेसन, चिंच , गूळ , ह्यांचात एकजीव झालेली बारीक कापलेली पण मनाने मोठी पातळ भाजीत रममाण अळू ची पाने; कोकणातून आधीच मुंबईला आलेले , आणि थोड आधुनिक, थोड पारंपारिक मन झाल्यामुळे , नाजूकपणे , कांदा, लसूण , मिरची, खोबर, कोकम आणि कोथीमबिरीत आनंदाने सामील होणारे वाल…. शेराटन भौनी चक्क थक्क होउन चाखलेले नारळाच्या दुधाने, आणि इतर चवी चवीच्या पदार्थांने नटलेले टोमटोचे सार; असंख्य प्रेमळ आजींच्या हातातून आशीर्वाद घेउन खिरीचे आयुष्य जगण्यासाठी बाहेर पडलेले गव्हले, आणि शेरटनि झालेली दूध मसाला भेट , मूग-काकडी सख्या , आणि थोडी दादागिरी करणारे वांग-कांदा भजी लोक ; इतक्या सगळ्या लोकांच्या आगमनाने केळीचं पान अगदी भारावून गेलं, आणि थोड दडपण आलं … पण ज्येष्ठ कुटुंब प्रमुख मसाले भात राव , आणि पुरी बाईंचे आगमन झाले, आणि बघण्याचा कार्यक्रम अगदी व्यवस्थित पर पडला … हिरवी केळीपान ताई सर्वांनाच आवडली , शेरटन भाऊ धन्न्य झाले , आणि भरलेल्या डोळ्यांनी आपल्या नातीचे कौतुक करण्यार्या आजी, आणि इतर कुटुंबीयांशी बोलता बोलता , एक छोटी , हळूच एक खिरीची वाटी घेउन, एका बाजूला खुर्चीवर बसून, प्रेमाने भरलेल्या वाटीची चव चाखत होती..... |
A deep green young plantain leaf, traveling with hordes, across the creek, apprehensive about the "seeing" session at Sheratonbhau's, and she is so relieved on feeling a reassuring pat on the back from Saee.... Her guardian elder brother Potato, braving skirmishes in steam and falling to pieces, only to be anointed by a golden ghee amidst showers of kadhipatta, mirchi et al.... The finely chopped big hearted collocassia leaves, generously sharing themselves with peanuts, daal, besan tamarind and jaggery folks, in a benevolent display of Sarva Padarth Samabhav... And then the Kokan immigrant Vaals, a bit touchy in the new world, mixing a bit hesitantly at first, but then quite willingly with the onions, mirchis, garlic and kokum chaps hanging around, feeling more easy on seeing the coconut around. And then Sheraton Bro, ecstatic after tasting a Tomato Saar alongside, with coconut milk memories amidst tangy ginger, pepper and stuff.... And what can you say about thousands of hand rolled whole wheat minipastas, lovingly called Ghavle by Grandmas of the State, all out in the world, to make a life amidst celebratory Kheers adorned with Sheratony Doodh Masala types. There were still the Moong Cucumber girls, coolly moisturized by lemon, and the slightly more rowdy and brown Dadagiri prone Brinjal Onion Bhajji Heroes. She watches all of them completely over-awed and a bit apprehensive, when she notices the measured arrival of Sir Masale Bhat and Lady Poori. She smiles, confident that all will be well. Sheraton Bhau is ecstatic, that everything went off so well; Away to one side, an indulgent grandma of the cook-curator, is simply wordless with pride, eyes full, as she shares it all with family. They simply don't notice, a little girl, take off with a katori of kheer, as she finds a place to sit undisturbed, and lap up that wonderful preparation of Love.... |
No comments:
Post a Comment