Tandoori night

Varied cliches have been ascribed to India8217;s multidinous cultures. The British historiographers invariably pride themselves on having morphed this congeries of states into a composite identity called India.

Varied cliches have been ascribed to India8217;s multidinous cultures. The British historiographers invariably pride themselves on having morphed this congeries of states into a composite identity called India. Even today, the country8217;s cultural diversities are fascinating in their exclusivity. Each state throws up a distinct cuisine, literature, terrain, art and music, all its own. As one traverses from one state to the other, it is like visiting different countries. Yet all these diversities are bound together by strands of commonality: Hindi films, cricket and unanimously popular pan-Indian dishes such as idli-dosa and tandoori food.

A trip we made to Kerala last winter brought on the unity-in-diversity flavours, thick and strong. On arrival, we were delighted to shed the shackles of our heavy woollens and elapse from the bone-chilling cold of Delhi to Kerala8217;s balmy warmth. As one cruised the exquisite backwaters in the wick-adorned houseboats, the surrounding scenario of reclining palms and tranquil waters cast a magical spell over us.

It was in this environment, miles away from one8217;s home state of Punjab, that I heard the strains of the bhangra beat. It was Usha Uthup setting the night on fire with her rich, throaty voice, belting the classical Punjabi number, 8216;Mera long gawacha8217; I have lost my nosepin. Here I was in Kerala celebrating New Year8217;s Eve, thrilled to bits to be regaled by the voice of an old-time favourite, clad in her characteristic, rich silk Kanjeevaram, with a huge 8216;bindi8217; adorning her forehead, flowers in her hair and Punjabi tripping off her tongue with practised ease. She sang the song with an unadulterated Punjabi accent. The beat was so infectious that the youngsters around began to dance the bhangra almost to perfection. The scene could have been right out of a cultural gathering in Ludhiana.

What better evidence of India8217;s ultimate oneness than such an evening? Here were people in a state in the deep south revelling unabashedly in the music of another in the extreme north? Such manifestations of commonality and coalescence are more authentic and soul-stirring than anything our politicians can conjure, with their regular harangues of the hum-sab-ek-hain kind.