April 14th marks the New Year in the Solar Calendar and is celebrated across Kerala, West Bengal, Northeast as well as Mangalore among other places in India.
April sees the start of the solar new year which interestingly usually always falls on April 14. The customs may vary depending on the state but the common factor is always rooted in traditions.
The Bengal New Year, also known as ‘Poila Boishakh’, is an important cultural festival in the community. Food plays a vital role in this festival as it is a time for family gatherings, feasting, and sharing traditional delicacies and culture.
In different parts of Kerala, Vishu is celebrated in varied ways. In the Malabar region, it is seen as the end of the reaping season for paddy and followed by the start of the sowing season. Vegetables and fruit are also harvested and kept as offerings for the deity.
The New Year in the Malayalam calendar is marked by cleaning homes and neighbourhood areas, visiting relatives with freshly harvested vegetables and the Vishukaniappams.
Here are some recipes:
- Jolphai Guror Chutney courtesy Biju Philiph, Executive Chef at Courtyard by Marriott Mumbai International Airport
- Ilish Biryani courtesy Sumiet Raghuvanshi, Corporate Chef, White Castle Hospitality
- Vishukkani Appam courtesy Latha Kuniyil, Chef de Cuisine, Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty
Read the full story that first appeared in Seema Magazine April 2023 issue here:
The post Recipes for the Solar New Year appeared first on Bindu Gopal Rao, Freelance Writer & Photographer.
This post first appeared on Bindu Gopal Rao Wrties & Photographers, please read the originial post: here
