Indian Food Tradition: Authored by Deepa Gupta-New Delhi

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We speak to lots of parents, grandparents and great-grandparents about Indian food tradition and some stories are simply nostalgic. All stories are special for us. They are raw, unfiltered, peculiarly nostalgic, and explain the contrast between traditional lifestyle/eating patterns and modern-day lifestyle/eating patterns in the most basic yet beautiful way. If you are a parent and this story took you down the memory lane, share with your friends and family.

Hi, I am Deepa, proud homemaker, wife and mother of two gorgeous kids Sumona and Lisa. I am from a beautiful city called Kanpur. Youngest in my house and growing up in a dignified family is always a demur where you have to live it up to the expectations not only in your personal growth but in terms of food and taste as well.

I grew up at my Nani’s house as my mom was a single parent and a full time working woman so my nani and nanu took the place of my mom and dad. I shared an alluring relationship with my nani and nanu. I used to call my nani as Laal Mummy (laal means dearest in Sindhi language and Also, she had pink cheeks.) and nanu as Daddy. My Nani and Nanu were always there for me and were my first teachers.

My nani was very religious and made me learn lots of Sindhi prayers and songs which I was never interested in. She would always take out one plate for bhagwaan ji from all her cooked meals then only allow us to eat or even touch that food. It was funny, however I truly respect her emotions.

She was a huge fan of bollywood actor Dharmendra and had never missed any of his movies, Always first day first show that too in theaters, no compromises in that, sometimes my nanu was so jealous of bollywood actor Dharmendra, but the way they adored as partners and their commitment to each other as best companions has always filled my heart with hope and love. They were the cutest and my favorites always.

My Nani would always pamper me and make typical sindhi heavy breakfast to start off the day, which could vary from royal dal pakwan (fried crispy maida based poori with mildly spiced Bengal gram dal) to seyal phulka(spiced bites of leftover chapatis in thick garlic, onion tomato gravy).

The other options would be Basar ji koki( a thick flat bread made with whole wheat flour mixed with Bengal gram dal with onion, fresh green chillies and some garam masala made into dough with lots of oil), daal ji debri / Moong Dal parantha (flatbread stuffed with boiled moong ki dal mixed with salt and minimum masala served with curd) or saiyun patata(maida based roasted vermicelli cooked in sweet water served with spiced sautéed Potatoes as a savory along papad) and most important be it winters or summers you can’t get out of the house without Matho(Salted Lassi).

The lunch would consist of Tur Dal (cooked with tomato, chilies and tamarind paste) with chawal and Patata(potatoes)/, bhindiyun(okra)/, peah(peas)/, singiyun(drumsticks)or bheeh(lotus stem) served with dahi and a bowl of summer/winter fruit like amb(mango) / Gidra(muskmelon) / loochaa(plums). It was always a well balanced meal and full of nutrition. I used to wait for special occasions when she would make special dishes like teevar (meat), sai bhaji with pulav or Sindhi Kadhi, I don’t think in my childhood my grandparents or Mum ever ordered food from outside. All the snacks were homemade from gur ke ladoo to khas khas ka halwa to bhajiyas or pakore or you name the snack she would make at home.

The culture was very different from today, where we not only shared our food to our neighbors but also. Those chaotic days when all the kids used to gather in the evening to play outdoor games or to do knitting or mehendi sessions or cooking in the woods or planning for what to do productive in summer holiday. We projected so many plays or dance performances to our colony members without any adult supervision.

We knew our next door neighbors and they were like our extended family only.

Things are contrasting now, we push our kids to go and play outdoors than to be on TV /Laptop or be friends with next door neighbors. These days we modern mums organize play dates at sports clubs to ensure the child is advancing social skills and getting adjusted to other humans. Every mom of this era is facing some or the other challenges, be it with food, nutrition or any other skill. Now, kids have more inclination for pizza, fries and coke than a home cooked meal. We were really fortunate to be part of such amazing families who taught us and converted us as Super Moms. Our kids demand variety and exciting meals. I also ensure that every meal I am serving to my kids is well balanced and full of nutrition. So to make it fun when I serve our desi paneer ka parantha with makhan I don’t say that it’s a paneer parantha…It’s always a cottage cheese flatbread topped with butter:-P for them:-D.

So keep trying you awesome Moms! Strive for excellence and remember that good enough is the new perfect!

Grand father and Grand mother

ME

Indian food tradition

I am very grateful to Iyurved for sharing my childhood memories and giving me this platform. I truly believe that nowadays children do not get the kind of nutrition and food that we used to get in childhood. It is great that Iyurved is making such nutritious food products for kids. This is the need of the hour.

I personally recommend all the parents to try both Iyurved’s DAILY NUTRITION Chocolate and Savoury spread for their kids.

Regards,

DEEPA GUPTA.