Sarika tells us Tagore loved mangoes. She shares the recipe of Mango Pudding from the Tagore household. Food and poetry are an integral part of Bengali culture. An exclusive for Different Truths.

I grew up with Tagore. He is everywhere, in our thoughts, poems, music, dance, stories. Bengalis treat him as their own. 

Strangely, during my early childhood I used to think he is a god-like any other God. Because in Bengali he is called Rabi Thakur. In Bengali, thakur means God. Later, I came to know he was a mortal like any of us. My respect and love towards him multiplied manifold.

My parents bought every possible book from different parts of the country written by beloved Rabindranath Tagore. Thanks to my hometown for involving us to celebrate Tagore’s birthday every year with pomp. Once my teacher told, always feel proud as a Bengali. Rabi Thakur shaped Bengali literature and music into a global standard.

Tagore, a Polymath

Bengali literature reached cloud nine from mere a regional language, just because of him. Tagore is the polymath of Bengali culture, literature, and music.

At times I wonder, is there any topic that Tagore did not dwell on – philosophy, patriotism, love, romance, rain, courage, travel, education, life challenges, friendship, travel story, short story, food, and the list goes on.

My son recited a few of his works. But, at times he enquires, “Mummy! Why are you so obsessed about Tagore?” I cannot explain to him. Our generation could not separate Tagore from us. When in misery, we remember him, likewise when thrilled he is with us. In love, in romance, in rain, in the dawn, in light, and in every aspect of life Tagore is always with us.

Tagore was a Foodie

Apart from all, He was a great foodie too, like any Bong. So let us share one pudding recipe from Thakur barir ranna (the kitchen of the Tagore home)

Mango season is almost over, so let us say goodbye until next time with this Tagore’s home mango pudding recipe.

Ingredients

Prep. time -10 mins

Cooking time- 25 mins

4 ripe mangoes (I chose Alphonso)

150 gm homemade chana (paneer)

4 eggs

1 tbsp maida

70/75 gm unsalted butter (melted)

Butter for grease

Method

Preheat oven at- 150C

Prepare the mango puree and keep it aside,

In a bowl add eggs one by one with butter and beat them till light and fluffy

Add chana and plain flour and beat them thoroughly.

Now fold the colourful mango puree into the batter

At this point grease ramekins with butter and pour the batter into it. Here we should make sure ramekins should be filled 2/3

Bake around 20/25 mins or until the skewer comes out clean.

Serve chilled or hot (I preferred chilled).

Photos by the author

Sarika Sarkar Das

A teacher, day dreamer, random experimental cook and some hit and miss photography, and at last love to call myself a full time mother. ​

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