Publish: 12:55, 24 Jan, 2025

The food of A Bengali subculture—Picnics!

Online Desk
The food of A Bengali subculture—Picnics!
Photo - Collected

The winter breaks in Bengal always meant a season of weddings, meet-ups and finally, picnics. The picnic culture is almost exclusive to Bengal. Other states have their road trip culture, tenting and camping cultures during winter season. However, Bengal has always seen people planning get-togethers that require an entire group to travel via cars or even vans or smaller lorries to a venue for picnics.

The picnic culture is so dominant-- perhaps was-- thanks to the pandemic playing down things now; that professional caterers used to look forward to wedding level bookings post Christmas and before the first week of the New Year that follows.

Picnics are almost like a subculture peculiar to Bengal and there are specific spots designated as picnic spots in the minds of those born here. The joy of picnics is that you get a break from traditional cooking and wait to eat while sitting on a mat while the gravy boils away to heated glory on an open wok. The joy of travelling in a group to a spot while you carry badminton kits, flying discs and even a music player--is unmatchable. True that today’s youngsters might not have the same style of picnic-ing but they sure still get together and make a bonfire to feast of roasted chicken legs. The style must have transitioned but youth in Bengal still have picnics. Here are top five picnic foods that have always been a hit over the ages.

Sizzling Breakfast

A quintessential breakfast, a picnic begins with fritters and puffed rice. The sound of such items in English seems so funny though. Picnics begin early and that requires the picnic-ers travel to a spot with hunger in their bellies. Most often, breakfast begins with muri in paper containers called thonga and some deep fried pakoras. The pakoras could be made from anything--potato to spinach. Mixed veg pakoras are a popular pick too. Mostly non-veg food is reserved for the main lunch course and the breakfast sees veggies dominating.

Snacky Bites

The fish fry and the cutlet are very Bengali. What originated as a colonial British dish, the cutlet made from bhetki, basa or even chicken; is deep dried with layers of coating that range from spicy pastes to egg and finally rusk crumbs. This is a starter, rather snack to appease the growling stomach amid badminton games and fun antakshari at the picnic. Served with roughly sliced salad and mustard sauce or tomato sauce.

Sultry Hot Lunch

Picnics do not see sophisticated meal planning or serving. The cook might be a caterer or a home cook confident enough to handle the huge kadhais and cook up a storm. The lunch is mostly mutton curry or chicken curry and plain white rice. Fried rice and biryanis are fancy innovations but traditionally, it was just white boiled rice.

For the offbeat vegetarian, you had a little bit of jackfruit curry--made on similar lines of the mutton. In fact, Bengalis believe that jackfruit is a vegetarian's mutton. One that grows on trees--a rough translation!

Pretty Things For Picnics

Once lunch ends, it gets time for some fun play and gossip. Picnic groups integrate into smaller subgroups and chill while lazing around on the mats they carry to the spot. Evening times wrap up with Limca and rasgulla. The picnickers pack back for a return. Stomachs full, faces happy and lots of energy--singing or grooving all the way back to their homes.

A Hopeful Wish

A picnic is a party for Bengalis--rather Bengal residents. It is a unique thing and the food associated with it is equally unique. Therefore, nostalgia around picnics is high. I just wish and pray for a time that this subculture sees revival and indulgence once the pandemic passes over us!

 

Source: slurrp.com 

 

More News
Could the secret to easing anxiety be hiding in your gut?
Could the secret to easing anxiety be hiding in your gut?
January 2024 becomes hottest January on record, despite La Niña's cooling effects
January 2024 becomes hottest January on record, despite La Niña's cooling effects
‘Curiosity muscle’ for personal growth
‘Curiosity muscle’ for personal growth
Why phone doesn’t make for the best alarm clock
Why phone doesn’t make for the best alarm clock
Valentine’s celebration of love and indulgence at Dhaka Regency
Valentine’s celebration of love and indulgence at Dhaka Regency
Nepal bans solo climbs on Everest, mountains above 8000m
Nepal bans solo climbs on Everest, mountains above 8000m
Handling issues in morning boosts mental health
Handling issues in morning boosts mental health
India struggles with making climate-friendly lifestyle choices
India struggles with making climate-friendly lifestyle choices
Smartphone vision syndrome: Preventing and treating eye discomfort
Smartphone vision syndrome: Preventing and treating eye discomfort
Human brain sample holds a spoonful of plastic: Study
Human brain sample holds a spoonful of plastic: Study
Right shoulder pain: A potential sign of gallstones
Right shoulder pain: A potential sign of gallstones
Ebola-hit Uganda begins vaccination trial: WHO
Ebola-hit Uganda begins vaccination trial: WHO
Latest News
Thailand ramps up chip investment push as Trump’s trade war with China escalates
Thailand ramps up chip investment push as Trump’s trade war with China escalates
just now | Tech
CA press wing debunks India.com report on media censorship
CA press wing debunks India.com report on media censorship
16 minutes ago | National
Botanical Gardens to be developed as conservation sites
Botanical Gardens to be developed as conservation sites
18 minutes ago | National
Temperatures may drop in next 24 hrs
Temperatures may drop in next 24 hrs
56 minutes ago | National
29 migrants’ bodies recovered in 2 Libya locations
29 migrants’ bodies recovered in 2 Libya locations
1 hour ago | International
Russian spy ship catches fire off Syria, drifts out of control
Russian spy ship catches fire off Syria, drifts out of control
1 hour ago | International
US judge blocks Trump’s federal buyout plan as 60,000 sign up to resign
US judge blocks Trump’s federal buyout plan as 60,000 sign up to resign
2 hours ago | International
Brazil, Real Madrid legend Marcelo reties from football
Brazil, Real Madrid legend Marcelo reties from football
2 hours ago | Sports
Several US states under flooding and 'thunder ice' in winter storms
Several US states under flooding and 'thunder ice' in winter storms
3 hours ago | International
Hundreds of garment factories yet to pay December wages
Hundreds of garment factories yet to pay December wages
3 hours ago | Business
Transcom disputes bribery allegations, but questions remain
Transcom disputes bribery allegations, but questions remain
3 hours ago | Special
4 killed as aircraft crashes in Philippines
4 killed as aircraft crashes in Philippines
4 hours ago | International
Facilities for women to offer Jumma prayer at mosque in Bashundhara Block-N
Facilities for women to offer Jumma prayer at mosque in Bashundhara Block-N
4 hours ago | City
Fakhrul, Khasru, Zaima attend National Prayer Breakfast
Fakhrul, Khasru, Zaima attend National Prayer Breakfast
5 hours ago | National
A great hero of the world is now a guiding light for Bangladesh
A great hero of the world is now a guiding light for Bangladesh
5 hours ago | National
All of Palestine belongs to Palestinians, says Khamenei
All of Palestine belongs to Palestinians, says Khamenei
5 hours ago | International
Tamim to be accorded formal farewell by BCB during BPL final
Tamim to be accorded formal farewell by BCB during BPL final
16 hours ago | Sports
Chhatra Shibir honors indomitable meritorious students
Chhatra Shibir honors indomitable meritorious students
16 hours ago | City
Book Fair 2025: Turnout increasing, special focus on July uprising
Book Fair 2025: Turnout increasing, special focus on July uprising
17 hours ago | City
AI and scientists unite to decipher old scrolls charred by Vesuvius volcano
AI and scientists unite to decipher old scrolls charred by Vesuvius volcano
17 hours ago | Tech
Meher Afroz Shaon arrested
Meher Afroz Shaon arrested
17 hours ago | National
Traffic police to get small firearms to contain snatching incidents
Traffic police to get small firearms to contain snatching incidents
18 hours ago | National
CA to visit Aynaghor soon with local, international media
CA to visit Aynaghor soon with local, international media
18 hours ago | National
Global heat record broken again despite US freeze and La Niña
Global heat record broken again despite US freeze and La Niña
18 hours ago | International
BNP's health reform proposals submitted to commission
BNP's health reform proposals submitted to commission
18 hours ago | National
14 eminent personalities, women football team to receive Ekushey Padak
14 eminent personalities, women football team to receive Ekushey Padak
19 hours ago | National
Vandalism at Dhanmondi 32 an outburst of deep anger in public mind: Govt
Vandalism at Dhanmondi 32 an outburst of deep anger in public mind: Govt
19 hours ago | National
Barishal, Chittagong vie for coveted BPL trophy
Barishal, Chittagong vie for coveted BPL trophy
19 hours ago | Sports
Relocation of Gazans would be temporary: US officials
Relocation of Gazans would be temporary: US officials
20 hours ago | International
"Vandalism sparked by Sheikh Hasina's continuous statements from India"
"Vandalism sparked by Sheikh Hasina's continuous statements from India"
20 hours ago | National
Most Read
Vandalism at Dhanmondi 32 an outburst of deep anger in public mind: Govt
Vandalism at Dhanmondi 32 an outburst of deep anger in public mind: Govt
19 hours ago | National
India's acting high commissioner summoned over Hasina issue
India's acting high commissioner summoned over Hasina issue
21 hours ago | National
Govt scraps appointment of 6,531 primary teachers
Govt scraps appointment of 6,531 primary teachers
23 hours ago | National
Australia's Marcus Stoinis retires from ODI cricket, focuses on T20s
Australia's Marcus Stoinis retires from ODI cricket, focuses on T20s
23 hours ago | Sports
Khairul and  Tisha star in Valentine’s Day drama 'Boshonto Bouri'
Khairul and Tisha star in Valentine’s Day drama 'Boshonto Bouri'
23 hours ago | Entertainment
Meher Afroz Shaon arrested
Meher Afroz Shaon arrested
17 hours ago | National
Global heat record broken again despite US freeze and La Niña
Global heat record broken again despite US freeze and La Niña
18 hours ago | International
No alternative to elections to remove all obstacles and conspiracies
No alternative to elections to remove all obstacles and conspiracies
23 hours ago | National
Neymar makes comeback for Santos in 1-1 draw
Neymar makes comeback for Santos in 1-1 draw
23 hours ago | Sports
New receiver appointed at BEXIMCO Group
New receiver appointed at BEXIMCO Group
23 hours ago | Business
WhatsApp plans to introduce event scheduling in private chats
WhatsApp plans to introduce event scheduling in private chats
22 hours ago | Tech
"Vandalism sparked by Sheikh Hasina's continuous statements from India"
"Vandalism sparked by Sheikh Hasina's continuous statements from India"
20 hours ago | National
Tamim to be accorded formal farewell by BCB during BPL final
Tamim to be accorded formal farewell by BCB during BPL final
15 hours ago | Sports
Iran launches its first drone-carrier warship
Iran launches its first drone-carrier warship
21 hours ago | International
CA to meet martyrs' families on Sunday
CA to meet martyrs' families on Sunday
20 hours ago | National
Court orders to freeze 28 bank accounts of Zahid Maleque, son
Court orders to freeze 28 bank accounts of Zahid Maleque, son
21 hours ago | National
Protesters in cities across the US rally against Trump’s policies
Protesters in cities across the US rally against Trump’s policies
21 hours ago | International
Blackpink announces world tour for 25 as teaser drives fans crazy
Blackpink announces world tour for 25 as teaser drives fans crazy
21 hours ago | Entertainment
Relocation of Gazans would be temporary: US officials
Relocation of Gazans would be temporary: US officials
20 hours ago | International
Shuvosangho removes banners from roadside trees in Joypurhat
Shuvosangho removes banners from roadside trees in Joypurhat
21 hours ago | Shuvosangho
Barishal, Chittagong vie for coveted BPL trophy
Barishal, Chittagong vie for coveted BPL trophy
19 hours ago | Sports
Chhatra Shibir honors indomitable meritorious students
Chhatra Shibir honors indomitable meritorious students
16 hours ago | City
Neymar returns to Santos after an era
Neymar returns to Santos after an era
23 hours ago | Sports
Traffic police to get small firearms to contain snatching incidents
Traffic police to get small firearms to contain snatching incidents
18 hours ago | National
14 eminent personalities, women football team to receive Ekushey Padak
14 eminent personalities, women football team to receive Ekushey Padak
18 hours ago | National
CA to visit Aynaghor soon with local, international media
CA to visit Aynaghor soon with local, international media
18 hours ago | National
A great hero of the world is now a guiding light for Bangladesh
A great hero of the world is now a guiding light for Bangladesh
5 hours ago | National
Book Fair 2025: Turnout increasing, special focus on July uprising
Book Fair 2025: Turnout increasing, special focus on July uprising
16 hours ago | City
BNP's health reform proposals submitted to commission
BNP's health reform proposals submitted to commission
18 hours ago | National
Hasina got banned, AL to be banned too: Anee
Hasina got banned, AL to be banned too: Anee
21 hours ago | National