Pakistani cookbook launched at Jaipur Literary Festival 2015
Pakistan’s leading independent publisher Markings, proudly launched their first of its kind Hindi-Urdu cookbook Zaiqay Frontier Ke – Dera Ismail Khan Kay Bhulay Basray Pakwan as written by the late Pushpa Kumari Bagai, on Friday at the prestigious Jaipur Literary Festival 2015.
Translated as ‘Flavours of the Frontier – Forgotten Recipes from Dera Ismail Khan’, the book brings together the rich flavours of the subcontinent and is in essence a cross-border and cross-cultural initiative, which indeed embodies the spirit of food for peace and the preservation of culture. The book was first recognised by the prestigious Gourmand Awards, for being a proponent of bridging similar cultures divided through political differences.
Zaiqay Frontier Ke – Dera Ismail Khan Ke Bhulay Bisray Pakwan was jointly introduced at the festival by the leading Indian filmmaker and Urdu activist Kamna Prasad and by the esteemed Pakistani media personality Moneeza Hashmi, who is also the daughter of renowned poet, the late Faiz Ahmad Faiz. The launch was followed by a dialogue between the two, focusing on the theme of “Food & Peace.” Originally, the book was also going to be presented by the leading Indian media personality Vinod Dua, who was not able to attend the launch due to urgent personal circumstances.
Reflecting on the poignancy of food and its significant symbolic role in culture, Hashmi suggested, “Sharing the same foods can bring together those separated historically by civil or international wars. Cookbooks can help and bridge cultures. The launch highlights the execution of Bagai’s vision for the book and the culinary heritage of the Hindus of the Frontier, highlighting the cultural similarities between Pakistan and India and the importance of such books as a means of bridging the divide between the two nations. This book takes you back in time; it’s a bridge between India and Pakistan. We definitely need more activities like this to bridge the divides.”
Similarly, Prasad said, “Our history and culture stand distinguished in all forms, perhaps more specifically in language and cuisine. The concept behind the collaboration for this book was to explore and present unique recipes, reviving them for the Pak-India palate and sensibilities. It is about the preservation of flavours, tastes and traditions that have been passed down from one generation to the next; because at the end of the day we may be divided by the borders of our countries but our values and culture are the same.”
Speaking about cookbook and its representation at the Jaipur Literary Festival 2015, Markings Publishing CEO Kiran Aman said, “It is a great honour for us at Markings to have first brought together Pakistan and India on a common culinary platform and now, as independent publishers, to have been able to launch our work at one of the world’s most distinguished literary festivals. This book is as much about food as it is about peace and preservation and we are proud to have represented this theme at JLF this year with the launch of this book.”
Written by Bagai, ‘Flavours of the Frontier – Forgotten Recipes from Dera Ismail Khan’ is a collection of Bagai’s coveted recipes, with an introduction by her daughter Dr Anjali Malik, a professor of history at the Delhi University. Indeed, Bagai was the custodian and exponent of a very special culinary tradition – the vegetarian cuisine of the Hindu Pathans of Dera Ismail Khan. It was through Bagai’s preservation of the dietary customs of DI Khan’s Hindu Pathans in Delhi, that many families within her community were provided with a nostalgic comfort through cuisine that helped preserve their sense of identity.
