If any renowned statistical institute was to embark upon a pioneering programme involving food related habits of people, it might well be found that the TIME and MONEY spent by an average Bengali on FOOD (dreaming, discussing, cooking, eating and savouring) are many notches above the National (or rather,
International average) !! – Even without any such statistical data, It is well established that the perennial question of do human beings “Eat to Live” or “Live to Eat” holds true for many Bengalis . Adda (informal conversation amongst group of people, often for hours at an end) usually accompanied by food is a common spectacle in Kolkata or wherever there is a concentration of Bengalis. Though, Satyajit Ray (in his film Agantuk) traces back the origin of the Adda tradition to regular intellectual dialogues prevalent in Ancient Greece at the time of Socrates or Pluto, many Bengalis still try and claim copyright of this culture. However, with the advent of the technology and gizmo world, rarely do we find time to hunt up an old friend, slip into an old pair of jeans, fatua (Kurtas) and Kolhapuri (footwear) and stop by for those mouthwatering Kabiraji cutlet varieties and Fish Orly varieties and "adda". Rarely does our inner soul urge us to bunk school or college or even office on a rainy day and enjoy a simple meal of khichuri (khichri) and maach bhaja (fish fry). Also, rarely do we enjoy the anticipation of waiting for Maa and Thakuma (Grand Maa) to serve the traditional Ilish Paturi, Chitol peti and Bhapa Bhetki which they had been toiling over for the last few hours; the aroma of which made us pop in and out of the kitchen, trying to pick up any tit-bits we could. The dishes that we all took for granted maybe a decade or two ago and what we now accept are rare and far in between……could run into thousands. This realization of what we are missing and also what the newer generation has probably not experienced at all, in relation to the renowned Bengali cuisine, encouraged us to make an honest endeavour to open an outlet where we could serve some of that. Being passionate about food and sincere in our efforts to recreate all those forgotten delicacies in the heart of Delhi, “City of Joy” was founded. With our fishes flying in fresh from Kolkata, we hope that all families nostalgic about Muri Ghonto and Bhapas (steamed), Tel koi, Daab Chingri, Mangshor jhol (mutton curry) and all those by-gotten dishes would love to come and have these delicacies and leave with a sense of fulfillment and a smile of satisfaction each time. And yes, we are ready for prolonged "Adda" sessions too ! Be it on Food, Feluda or Football, or the one other bug which in spite of the best of anti-bug coils cannot remain separated from a Bengali – the Travel Bug ! Here’s to carrying on the legacy of Bengali food! Debjyoti Roy & Samar Majumdar
