The Flavours of Nationalism – Nandita Haksar

In this remarkable memoir, Nandita Haksar employs memories and concepts of food to pose essential questions about our eating habits, companions, disparities in access, taboo foods, and their implications for our nation. Commencing with her 1950s childhood, Haksar leads us through India, from family wedding feasts in Old Delhi and Lucknow to human rights advocacy for Nagas in Manipur, and from hearing women’s stories in Kerala’s fisheries to observing globalized food industry impacts in Goa. She explores how our food preferences and attitudes are influenced by caste, class, religion, race, and gender, tackling recent controversies like beef consumption and ‘Hindu’ versus ‘Muslim’ food. Throughout, she shares captivating anecdotes and recipes from her culinary experiences, always How can a people who refuse to dine together, as equals, maintain unity?