Food. The mere noun stirs ecstasy by bringing to nose an array of tantalising aromas, to tongue an invigorating slurp of insipid saliva, to mind a pompous feast of eclecticism and to the good-ol’ belly, a fullness of inherent satisfaction. Evidently the quintessence of the ephemeral pleasures of everyday life, food is the unproclaimed prerequisite, the unprecedented indispensability, the absolute.
For centuries food has been rendered as the promiscuous allurer of mankind. It tempted, enticed, appeased and inveigled and continues to do the same with persistent audacity, in a manner both effusive and gratifying. From Napoleon’s perfumed cheese, to Italy’s stark wines, from lavish hints of Maharajah’s spices to the bland tang of Sushi, food has always transcended continental barriers in a diverse and unparalleled manner.
There is a very thin line that separates ‘eaters’ from ‘foodie’s’. The first, fastidious and hasty are those for whom fodder merely remains a necessity- an arduous round of spending, cooking, consuming and excreting. Then there is that latter minority that will put their heart and soul into the food and eat each crumb as if it’s the last they will ever have! I myself vouch to belong to the latter cult- those who display a true penchant and willing servitude for the grains, the true foodies, for whom seeking emancipation from the morsels, is but blasphemous!
Talk of anything from gulping gol- gappas to oozy spaghetti, slurping exotic shakes, delving into chocolate cakes, relishing ghar ka rajma chawal, polishing dosas with litres of sambhar, diving head- first into chaat papri, chomping chicken tikka with dollops of chutney, crumbling tarts or scrumptious pies, lip- smacking assorted fries; everything’s always on my mind (if not in my plate) to boost the immunity of my belly! Clearly, I couldn’t agree more with myself that “Condemning gluttony is sacrilege”.
I have penned down a tribute to the morsels in a composition titled ‘Ode To Food’.
Oh fabulously flavoured food, thou breath of my lunchtime,
Thine power is immense, thou make me crave,
And urge me to write this honest rhyme!
Thou conjure illusion on hungry mind,
Poised in the spoon like cherubic grain,
Oh enticer, thou make me a hungry swine,
And thwart my ability to hunger restrain!
Oh blossoming fushias, brewed in meat,
Thine fragrance ushers blissful slumber,
Oh root of merriment, fiesta and treat,
A myriad concoction on stove and lumber!
Oh pristine patron of calories and fat,
Fathoming every foodie’s dream,
Oh magnificent monopolists who hones my tact,
Oh patronising penalty of vile greens!
Oh fabulously flavoured food speckled with elusive flavour,
I beseech thee, mine everlasting penchant,
And wish thine charm my words can savour!
Fortunately for me, there shall always be two blessings in my life, in the form of both my dear grandmothers (Dadi and Nani) who really have some “je ne sais quoi” about their food, which has perhaps made me the passionate foodie that I always wanted to be!
Need I say more??
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