Biriyani days !! written on Eid, 2024

I’ve got a strange and funny title to my post, you must be thinking. We’ve heard, spoken, and read about good days, bad days, sunny days, et cetera. But have you ever heard of Biriyani days now? I bet you haven’t. Let me tell you about my Biriyani days now I grew up in a predominantly Muslim neighborhood, so Biriyani was no stranger to us. It’s their idli-sambar; that’s how frequently I remember it being made. Friday was considered special, and the smell of Biriyani came from every nook and cranny; even light would not travel as fast as the smell did.

But, but—nothing could beat the day of Eid after the month-long fasting of Ramadan. We were one of the only four non-Muslim families in the neighborhood, so we did get a lot of special treats during that time. On the day of Eid, I remember we would refrain from cooking lunch, knowing someone would knock on the door with piping hot Biriyani. Desperate times!! My brother and I also had a favorite neighbor that we’d pick to satiate our taste buds. But all would not go well. Let me tell you, everyone would deliver the wholesome meal at different times, and the wait time was a little painful.

It sounds crazy, doesn’t it? This Biriyani fiasco. By around noon, the first family would stop by, and we would just eat enough to keep us hanging in there while we waited for our favorite neighbor to come by. Every year, I chose the family who were two houses away from ours; they were out of the world. Long-grain basmati rice, with the right amount of spice and meat cooked to perfection. Accompanied by yogurt, raita, and kheer (dessert). The feeling that I’d experience by the end of the meal was something else only. We always had enough for a good two days, and I don’t remember a time we were tired of eating it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. That’s the magic of the most popular, devoured, and favorite dish in the nation now. I can’t thank the Moghuls enough for bringing this dish to our country. They may have looted our wealth and destroyed monuments, but they left something behind that will forever be cherished.

Now, fast forward: we live in a digital world with advanced lifestyles. Everything is available at the click of a button: food, clothing, shelter, etc. We have infinite stores and cafes serving up dishes that we’d had no idea existed. Biriyani has transcended boundaries with time and with the varieties available. I’m still in awe when I hear about Donne (a square leaf-like bowl) and Bamboo Biriyani (cooked in the actual shoot). Times have changed!! I can order Biriyani even at 2 a.m. if I’d like to.

But nothing can compare to the old time charm and the days when it was just an annual thing to relish a dish. The wait, the anxiety, the pleasure, the smell on your fingers that would linger for hours. Happy belly feeling!!

Food has a cosmic connection with us that directly interlocks the heart, mind, and stomach. Anything that’s scarce, occasional, or of little quantity is priceless.

I seek inspiration from all aspects of life—people, places, situations, and circumstances. On the day of Eid, it’s a reminder to me to cherish what’s available, show respect and honor, and love the people around you.

Everything will be a thing of the past before you know it, like my Biriyani days.