Republic of Food

India is a vast subcontinent with 28 states and the population crossed 1 billion, it still preserves the culinary heritage like any mixed spicy pickle in one jar. Unlikely the Western meal structure is a linear one; we move from one course to another in a sequential and orderly fashion. Normally people have their main course and later proceed to their dessert. In contrast to the western culture, in India, families serve the main course and the dessert together in a plate which is known as the, “Thali”

If one can’t afford to taste individual recipes of any restaurant in India, then order for “Thali”. It’s a platterful of “All in one” combo meal. From starters, main course to the dessert; sweet, to sour to spice, you name it and the thali serves it all like a rainbow in one plate or it’s very much like the Indian Bollywood movie where the twists and turns from murder mystery to comedy, to dance and songs, to emotions and fights and at the end everything must unite.

The Indian thali offers a wide range of options to choose from.  It comprises of a metal plate along with a number of small metal bowls placed on it. The traditional vegetarian thali usually comprises of two or more vegetables, Roti- Indian bread, one curry, a bowl of rice, pickle, curd and other appetizers which can be added as per as one’s personal choice. The dishes included in the platter differ from one region to another across India.

Though it’s the illustrious facade of heterogeneous and chaotic India but still blends together in harmony. It’s not wrong to say, thali is like little India, it’s a group of independent food republics assembled in small bowls acknowledged with pride and smiles from ages where the diversity is served without being forced to lose their individual identities.