Bikaner is an arid land where resources have been scarce for the kings and commons alike. This prolonged scarcity has made the people of Bikaner resilient and they have adapted themselves not only to survive the hardship but also have learned to celebrate it.To understand the meaning of grit and resilience, this episode explores the camel herding community called Raikas. Just like the camels, the Raikas have adapted to the region so well that it is now difficult to imagine them anywhere else. Their myths and stories are all connected with the desert. Their priests are called Bhopa who recites stories of their deity Pabuji who are also adored by many other communities of Bikaner including the Royals.Not only the myths but also the food of the royals and the desert dwelling communities are not very different. This is because the people of Bikaner have learned to make use of whatever is available in the region.In this Episode Mahima Kumari and Siddhi Kumari the current princess of Bikaner takes us through an amazing journey of the desert through stories and myths of the region.
Bhopal princely state was captured by an Afghan mercenary Dost Mohd. Khan in 1722. The face of the city changed gradually and Bhopal saw the advent of many Nawabs since then. In the year 1819, a gunshot changed the history of Bhopal and the state saw its first female regent in the face of Qudsiya Begum.Between 18191926 Bhopal saw a long standing rule of women rulers. From the gentle and brave Qudsiya Begum to the warrior Sikander Begum followed by the artistic Shah Jehan Begum and finally the educator Sultan Jehan Begum each of their individual stories and their contributions to the erstwhile kitchen become the central theme of the episode. We explore the evolution of food during their regime from being game food to becoming aromatic, colourful and flavourful filled with the ‘Nazaqat’
Kerala is called ‘God’s own country’ because of its natural beauty and because it is home to many mythological stories. Today Kerala is home to various communities which came to this place and settled down. We explore the rich heritage of Kerala through the prince of Kochi royal family Balagopal Verma. He takes us through the history of his own matrilineal family. Their food which was the simple food of the Nambudiri Brahmins was influenced later by Tamil Brahmins and by Tulu Brahmins. Today what we know of the Royal Kochi Sadhya is a subtle blend of influences of various Brahmin foods. It is still simple and served on a banana leaf but carries a rich heritage that even today people from all over the world cherish. This episode explores various temples, their rituals, and their food. This episode also explains how the Royals of Kochi not only welcomed many communities who came as traders but also made sure that they find this place comfortable enough to make it their home. Through diverse foods, rituals, and customs this episode explains how Kochi is truly a multicultural place
Muzaffar Ali and Meera Ali of the royal family of Kotwara are custodians of the history of the erstwhile Kotwara State. Through their artistic, architectural endeavors and their food they have been restoring their Maashra. Maashra translates to ‘society’. A society filled with stories of love and loss. A society they wish to be remembered for its food rich in flavours of the Awadh state, the travails of their ancestors and their old chefs. The episode engages with this Maashra and explores the gentleness of the erstwhile king and how he and his wife Meera keep the ‘Restoration’ of Kotwara state, its people and its food at the centre of all this
Hindi
14 January 2022
Drama, Infotainment
Akshar Pillai