A Glimpse of Andhra Pradesh & Pakistan
Hello everyone. My name is Banajyoti Deb Sarmah and I am from Guwahati, Assam. Today I am going to talk about Andhra Pradesh state and Pakistan.
So, let’s talk first about Andhra Pradesh. When our professor Dr. Shalini Verma maam gave us the assignment to analyze about any Indian state like its food culture etc I immediately decided to select a South Indian state because, South Indian states are my most favorite. So, I selected Andhra Pradesh. Now the question arises from where to get deep information about the state. Though I have a few connections from Andhra Pradesh but they are also not from that state. So, day were unable to provide me deep information about the Andhra culture. So, finally I decided to go to Andhra Pradesh Bhawan which is in Ashoka Road, New Delhi.
When I went inside the bhawan, I notice that each and every person inside the bhawan for example, the security personal the employees the canteen staffs all are from Andhra Pradesh and all are talking in their proper mother language.
This thing I really admire. I have travelled to South India many times and I have noticed about the South Indian people that they are so much attached to their regional language and their culture. This is very much similar to my state. We the people of Assam are very much attached to our regional language. For example, in the Jaipuria Institute of Management, Noida campus the whole day we talk to others either in Hindi or English. But at the end of the day when all the members of our Assam group join in the library or the mess or in the cafeteria we talk in our mother language. We are not even bothered what others will think, we proudly represent our language and this thing is very similar to the South Indian states. Now coming back to the topic. I first took permission from the officials in the bhawan explaining about my assignment. All the things I had to explain in English as not a single person there understand Hindi. They were so cooperative and helpful. I am able to get many information from them.
The information are about the food recipes and different rituals of the Andhra society.
One is about a ritual Vodi Biyyam. Vodi Biyyam is a traditional ceremony for married couples. Vodi means the womb and Biyyam means rice grains. After getting married, the ceremony is held at least once every three years. The parents or brothers of the woman who got married invite all of her family members to the ceremony. The woman’s parents give her money to buy clothes for the ceremony. A lot of rice is mixed with turmeric, the dried centre of a coconut, and other things. Five married (not widowed) women come in order and put rice in a cloth that is wrapped around her neck and spread out in front of them. Hot chilli powder is also used in this ritual.
Second one is about Atla Tadde. Atla Tadde is a traditional festival that Hindu women, both married and unmarried in Andhra Pradesh celebrate to get a husband or to pray for their husbands’ health and long lives. Telugu women perform Atla Tadde by being without food or water for a day. Women do pooja in the evening and eat small Atlu (dosas) to break their fast after looking at the moon. On this day, people make atlu(laddo) and give it to goddess Gowri as an offering. Then, they give it to their relatives and neighbours as vaayanam(prasad). A total of 11 ladies perform the ritual including the main lady.
Now talking about two traditional recipes of Andhra Pradesh.
One is about Aavakaaya Pachadi(Mango Pickle). Aavakaaya Pachadi is a popular kind of Indian pickle in South India. Here Aavakaaya mean mango and Pachadi means pickle. It is an ancient kind of pickle mainly made at Andhra Pradesh. The main ingredients are pure, natural mangoes, Aavapindi (powdered mustard seeds), and a mix of other pickling spices. People from South India, specially in Andhra Pradesh are known to love these spicy pickles very much. Mango, which is known as “The King of Fruits,” is the main ingredient in a wide range of pickles in these areas. The pickles can be made at home, but they are also sold commercially and sent to the US, Europe, Japan, and many other countries.
Another one is Gongura pacchadi. Gongura pacchadi is an essential part of Andhra food. It is a kind of chutney or relish. Telugu people, especially those from Andhra Pradesh, call it “Mother Andhra” (Andhra Matha) because it is an important part of their daily food. Even though it can be used in many ways in the kitchen, the most popular way to eat it is pickled. “Gongura,” which the people of Assam call “Suka Tenga” or “Suka Xaak” is also eaten a lot. The sour-tasting, slimy leaves are easy to mix with other ingredients and make a great dish. The Assamese people think that drinking sour helps them deal with the hot summer weather and protect them from getting sick.
I am going to talk about the country I have selected and that is Pakistan.
Pakistani culture is very different from other cultures because its social norms are based on Islam. The region has its own culture within the main cultural complex of South Asia, the Middle East, and Central Asia. This culture is made up of parts from many different cultures that have come and gone over time.
After I selected this country for my assignment, I started to connect to different people of Pakistan through linkedIn, and Instagram. Among those people, one person really helped me in this project. One is Mudasir Ali from Islamabad. He is currently working as HR in Vertexsoft Pvt Ltd. I have got to know many things about Pakistani festivals and some food recipes.
One he have said is about Basant festival. Basant festival is a way to welcome spring that is only done on the Indian subcontinent. In the 19th century, Maharaja Ranjit Singh started the festival. On Basant, the Maharaja and his queen would wear yellow clothes and fly kites. This would be done while soldiers showed off their skills and women showed off their singing skills. Today, Basant is still celebrated the same way all over Pakistan, especially in the cities of Lahore and Kasur in the Punjab province.
Second one is Chomos Festival. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in the valley of Chitral, the Chomos Festival is held. It’s a month-long festival that takes place all through December. Part of it is a celebration of the new year, with well-known cleansing rituals from the Kalash tribe. Kalash individuals of both genders celebrate by dancing around fires and wearing traditional clothing. Some Kalash people get tattoos on their faces and make gifts for their family members who have died.
Now coming to some traditional food recipes of Pakistan.
The first one is Lahori Payee. Lahori Payee is a traditional Pakistani dish that is made with goat feet and head, ginger garlic paste, onion, whole spices, and spice powder. It is a very healthy dish.
Another recipe for meat is Nihari. Nihari has a lot of flavour and is made from beef or sheep. This recipe is made slowly and with a lot of whole spices. This dish is often eaten for breakfast because it is full of good things for your body.
Pakistan’s national dress is the Shalwar kameez, Achkan Sherwani, Kurta shalwar Kameez, and Sari, which women wear in all five provinces of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as well as in Azad Kashmir. Shalwar is the word for loose pants, and kameez is the word for shirts. Since 1982, everyone who works in the secretariat has to wear the national dress. Each province has its own version of salwar kameez, such as Sindhi shalwar kameez, Punjabi shalwar kameez, Pashtun shalwar kameez, and Balochi shalwar kameez. Pakistanis wear clothes with beautiful colours, patterns, and fabrics, such as silk, chiffon, cotton, and so on. Men wear shalwar kameez, kurta, Pakistani Waistcoat, achkan and sherwani, churidar, or pyjama. The jama and the angarkha are two other pieces of clothing. The Jinnah Cap, which is also called Karakul, the Fez, which is also called Rumi Topi, and the Taqiyah are all types of headwear (cap). Peshawari chappal and Khussa are both well-known styles of shoes. Traditional shawls made of Pashmina or other warm materials are also popular, especially in the northern parts of the country. Most Khyber Pakhtunkhwan people wear the Pakol hat.
Every province has a different and unique cultural dress.
So these are some information I have got to know about Pakistan.
So, through this project I have got a chance to communicate with people with different state and country. It has given me a chance to to develop my communication skill which is very much important in my future corporate life. Therefore, at last I thank to Prof. Shalini Verma maam for giving me this chance.