Suvir

Alfat by Sonam Kalra's Sufi Gospel Project reveals a most essential secret through poetry and notes

Love and life, music and religion, dreams and aspirations - it is in these that we see the oneness amongst our human collective. When we let go of organized chaos, rules and rituals, dogma and prejudices, generalizations and fears; we become one with self and the other. 

Tolerance is ones capacity to endure pain and hardship, it speaks of stamina and fortitude, it is about endurance. It is not tolerance that helps us rise to greater heights as a human with humanity. For that we need to learn and appreciate acceptance. 

Alfat, the new album by Sonam Kalra, teaches us how to do just that.

Preserving: Family, Relationships and Foods

A guest post by Tishya Doraiswamy, my most gifted and talented niece, a high schooler in Delhi.

It’s always wonderful to see family cooking together. Just the other day, I had the wonderful privilege of witnessing my grandmother teach Suvir – an uncle of mine, how to make her famous Lasora pickle – I got to see the two best cooks in my family work together.

A day before Suvir came to my grandmother’s house, she prepared everything in anticipation washing and keeping the Lasora out and ready to prepare.

The next day, Suvir came to learn the famous recipe – the only way to learn recipes from my grandmother is by watching and making them with her, since she only ever prepares food through estimation. However, the food she makes is always wonderful – and having an award-winning chef in the kitchen surely couldn’t do any harm.

Lasora, also known as pink pearl or Indian cherry is popular in India, especially when it comes to making pickles such as this one.

Happy Spring, Happy New Year, Happy Holi!!!

Holi is celebrated by the Hindus of the Indian subcontinent. Though it seems like most religions of the region have adopted it in some form or another. It is a day to reflect upon past errors and to reflect upon ways of ridding oneself of them. Time to resolve conflicts,  and mending broken relationships by meeting those we are strained with. A time to forget old grudges, forgive others, and to go from angst to enlightenment.

Holi marks the start of spring. For many the start of the new year. For all, it is time to mark the changing seasons and giving life a new lease and fresh start. 

For me there is celebration and renewal in the air, when I see mom and Panditji together in the kitchen. The browning of milk solids, and the smell that permeates the home, is my sign - of assured sweetness and time to think of renewal, of hope on the horizon, of repairing those relations that have somehow gotten fractured, of change coming that shall better life and bring it closer to what does work, of seasons changing, of new opportunities, of harvest, of feeling joy and pride. And of course, of deliciousness at the table. 

Hiei Yuba Marries Shimizu Restaurant Kaiseki Meal - Heavenly Morsels At Each Bite

The Lake Biwa pearls that Sachiko Yagi (Sachiko San) was wearing, caught my eye at first glance. But soon after, it was her spirit, the soul that drove her aura to be what it is, and the ability she has to be able to communicate just by smile, gesture and body language, is what had me smitten. Little did I know that this meeting would change me. Thanks Sachiko San. Thanks Saori San for making this happen.

A home for retired priests, for plum bonsais, and a garden of peace

As we arrived at Kyu-chikurin-in (home for retired Buddhist priests) in Otsu in the hills, we were greeted by an amazing garden, gentle rain, and wonderful blossoms. The above photo is of plum blossoms being thrust down with raindrops, inducing me to cry inside, and drop my own tears. Tears that are dropped in awe of Japan. A country that ceases to never stop amazing us as we travel through it.

A lunch I could eat often and never tire of the enjoyment

Suezawa Yoshikatsu (outside) and Suezawa Toshiko (inside) big us goodbye after we are lavished to one of the most beautifully simple meals ever. A lunch of mixed Okonomiyaki (mixed with oysters, clams, shrimp, octopus, squid and bacon), Tompeiyaki (pork), Nikupeiyaki (beef) and Yakimeshi (fried rice). Of course brought to an end with beautifully big and red strawberries. The restaurant is called Okonomiyaki Hikari.

1-3-21 Minamihanadaguchi-Cho, Sakai-Ku, Sakai City

Tel: 072-233-6338