Culture is a loaded word which is ingrained in our identities. Being proud of it and feeling a sense of belonging becomes important when our own identities start merging with our situations, especially if you are far away from home, anywhere around the world. Western cultures are seductive in a sense where you tend to follow some of the customs that aren't necessarily the ones you identify it. A lot of times we celebrate our origins by trying to keep up with traditions of our country back home, finding communities and friends craving for the same thing. Jon Favreau pointed out a very simple thing on "The Chef Show" on Netflix, "A lot of our culture is preserved in our food, and if you have a taste for it, you seek it out." I've known this to be true in some of the things I've done since I've shifted base from Pune to New York.
While there are many ways to experience a new culture, I've felt it difficult to understand it or the rationale behind them. Back home in India, we know so many stories behind it and have taken a few of them for granted, but we still do our best to take part in it. We dance our hearts out in Ganapati visarjan, or our sense of patriotism is at an all time high during 15th of August. We celebrate Navratri, Diwali, Eid with the same gusto and we are (mostly) mindful in understanding the rationale behind them. These major events have been a (major) part of your life. Tie in your own customs or traditions, and they make life beautiful. At some sense we are robbed of it once you come here, and that comes with the moves you make to get somewhere in life. While we do celebrate all of these things when we move away from home,What I believe we really miss, is the food. Family recipes from your parents, grandparents who have survived generations are at a risk of being lost. I still do call my parents to know how you'd make a very simple meal that you crave because you are done with Chipotle, or pizza, or pasta here. Don't misjudge me. I'm not bashing the options I have here. Nor am I a cook who cooks for myself every day. What I'm trying to get at is, preserve your culture via the food you cook, even if you don't know how to. Learn it, treasure it, and pass it on. Because that is the probably the only thing that can tie you back to reality.
We do our best to be in touch with our culture, our food by ordering things from home which we miss. Things like Blue lays, bhakarwadi, whatever chitale bandhu sweets. If you're from Indore, things from Om Namkeen, and if you're from Belgaum, probably Kunda. While it sustains us, keeps us happy for a while, it doesn't seem same. At some point you need acceptance of the fact that we are away from home and we need to find a way to make a new one. To my limited experience, I feel the closest I've come to experiencing home has been when I've tried recreating some of the dishes near and dear to me in New York. All from local ingredients, but containing the magic from home. I've made shit I never thought I'd ever attempt but I did end up making puran poli, vadapaav, and my favorite thing ever - tambda rassa. I've made other things like biryani and shahi tukda, but tambda rassa holds a special place in my heart. That has given me a sense of independence and faith in myself that is unparalleled. No amount of professional glory or financial independence can get you close to that feeling.
A friend close to me always said, "barring family, we are always alone." While I agree with it at some level, I modified it a little. You tend to make your home around the people you surround yourself with. It is a dual edged sword since everyone doesn't have the same sentiment, but everyone looks out for each other in this fleeting moment. I love how all of us come together during our festivals to celebrate our culture. It is not just meant to be a holiday anymore, as it used to be back home. Here, in a different place, time, and diversity, preserving culture becomes important. Food plays an integral role. I don't remember what've I've studied after coming here. I do remember the important moments which have pivoted my life out here in NYC, but what I recollect the most is this feeling of being at home in moments when I've cooked food.
I don't like giving unsolicited advice, and I don't like receiving any but I thought this is one thing someone who is missing home could benefit from. Cook something. Even something as simple as this can get you closer to what you miss the most. Let me know if you need help, I'm always open to cook for you. I've rarely disappointed people who I've fed :)
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