Calcutta on Your Plate - Paperback

by Nilosree Biswas (Author)

What is known as Kolkata's food today has its backstory embedded in 250 years of political, social and cultural history-a fascinating testimony of self-fashioned Bengali baboos, whose aspirations pushed the boundaries of Bengal's traditional gastronomy, resulting in a new food universe. From the private kitchens of an exiled king and the homes of a handful of upper-class Bengalis, how some dishes became so popular is a thrilling story of taste, smell and savouring. To think that some of today's signature dishes such as dum biriyani, kebabs, fish chops, kabirajis, cutlets, kathi rolls and Mughlai paratha were once exclusive to those who had access to the ingredients or for whom it was their 'home food', is perhaps overwhelming at some level. With influences of mostly two cooking styles-the English and the Mughlai-Awadhi, aided by contributions of the Portuguese and a pre-existing food habit from the medieval times, Calcutta's foodscape underwent a sea change, impacting people's lives, food habits, food procurement and the ways of social engagement. Calcutta on Your Plate touches upon this incredible journey of tastes, innovations, acceptance, indulgences and celebrations.

Author Biography

Nilosree Biswas is an author and filmmaker trained in comparative literature and later in cinema. She writes about history (often colonial Bengal and pre-modern India), culture, art history, food and cinema of South Asia. These areas of interests extend to her frequent national and international columns. Her earlier books include Banaras: Of Gods, Humans and Stories and Alluring Kashmir: The Inner Spirit (co-written with Irfan Nabi). Two decades of film work has earned Nilosree awards like the ' Best Documentary' in the New York Festival, with documentaries showcased at the Cannes Film Festival