Amar shonar Bangla, ami tomay bhalobashi
My golden Bengal, I love you.
Forever thy skies, thy air set my heart in tune as if it were a flute,
O, mother! The aroma of the mango orchard in Falgun drives me crazy,
Ah, what a thrill!
O, mother! In Ogrohayon time sees sweet smiles all through mature fields of paddy
-Rabindranath Tagore 1905
Golden words of Rabindranath Tagore, Nobel prize winner Poet & Painter. His songs and music cover many aspects of human emotion, devotional hymns, and love songs. In most Bengali-speaking families, people sing Rabindra Sangeet.
The culture of West Bengal is considered one of the richest cultures in India. The capital Kolkatta (Calcutta) is called the cultural capital of India. The Sanctity of Ganges Hooghly, the beauty of eastern Himalayas, the diversity of Sundarban, and the freshness of tea gardens and Ravindranath Setu( Howrah Bridge all blend together to constitute what we called as the modern unique culture of West Bengal. Bengali culture has also deep roots in Bengali music, cinema, and literature.
From Satyajit Ray’s “Pather Panchali”, “Do Bigha Jamin “ to Kishorda’s golden voice, all these cultural elements are deeply rooted in Bengali culture. Similarly, Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian local cousin has also shaped according to the passage of time from Mughal era to British rule.
The first thing which comes to mind is Bengali Sweets “Mithai:” which starts with Khajur Gud – Roshogulla, Mishti Dahi, and Sandesh, mouth-watering & scrumptious sweets.
Roadside food is equally popular amongst Bengalis are mainly Muri, Zhai Muri ( rice puff), and Shingara or Samosa.
Adda is a traditional Bengali means of socializing over food during the workday. Food taken during adda consists usually of mishti , tea, and coffee, although heartier meats such as fried fish may be brought out as well.
The adda first saw its rise during the colonial era, for guild members to meet and talk
about a range of topics:
“You could be discussing Charles and Camilla’s marriage this moment, and the next moment you’re swinging over to the latest cricket series between India and Pakistan, and then swing back to the recent controversy over Tagore.
“Ma, Mati, and Manush” is not the tag line of a political party but it’s the representation of the aspiration of the common Bengali person.
Below are few specialties of Bengali food.
Aloo Potal Poshto
We must take in to consideration that BEglai love poppy seeds. his preparation above is also made of poppy or Posto as the Bengalis like to call it. It is a preparation of Posto with potatoes and pointed gourd, complete with red and green chillies and sometimes coconut puree to add some much-needed spice to it. It truly is one of the classic Bengali dishes and famous food of West Bengal!
Shukto
Who said Bengalis are all for fish and nothing else? Well, Bengalis do know how to do their vegetables too. And Shukto is just an example. Usually served as the first course of a diet, Shukto is a combination of different vegetables like Brinjals, Bitter Gourd, Crunchy Drumsticks, and Bori (a Bengali specialty again). Mixed with grounded spices and milk to make a thick curry, this is a perfect way to start a meal.
To add further, Lucchi, Cholar Dal, Lau Ghonto, Mochar Ghost are the popular vegetarian dishes.
Tangra Macher Jhol
As you are familiar with the fact that Bengal has a rich source of fresh water as well as saltwater fishes, you might also know the fact that Bengal tries a lot of different varieties of fishes. The Tangra fish is basically the catfish that is found in the freshwater bodies abound in the region. The fish is prepared with freshly ground spices, and the thin curry is light on the stomach and also supremely tasty too. It is a big hit among the Bengalis in the region.
Apart from fish curry, mutton curry and mutton Biryani are equally famous amongst the non-vegetarians.
So Babu Monsah…Jindagi lambi nahi Badi honi chahiye, to enjoy the native delicacies of Bengali Food.