When Pushpesh Pant talks about food, he makes your mouth water even before you’ve really known the dish. By discussing the history, origin, species, process, and the love that goes into making a dish, he makes it so interesting that you feel like trying it the very next day. Just meeting him and listening to his tales of life and the kitchen truly satiates—both the spirit and the appetite. An evening with him is a harvest of culinary wisdom. Yesterday, at the Hans magazine’s “Zayka aur Zaban” event, the air was further seasoned by the presence of Vineet Kumar, author of Bachelor’s Kitchen, alongside Vandana Rag and Rachna Yadav.
पुष्पेश जी को मिलने और उनसे ज़िंदगी और रसोई के किस्से सुनने में ही आदमी तृप्त हो जाता है, मन से भी और पेट से भी, जिसके बाद इधर उधर कुछ खा कर आप जायका खराब नहीं करना चाहते। बहुत फ़ायदे हैं हर बैठक के। बीती शाम हंस पत्रिका के ज़ायका और ज़बान कार्यक्रम में बैचलर्स किचेन के लेखक विनीत कुमार, वंदना राग और रचना यादव से भी मुलाक़ात हुई।
Pushpesh PantProgrammeVineet Kumar and Vandana RaagRachna Yadav, Director Hans magazine
Just like the Bauls in Bengal, and the Keertankaars in the Marathwada region, singing minstrels were a common sight in North Indian towns and cities until about three decades ago; then they vanished. Driven away by the security and safety paranoia of cities, and the allegations such as theft, these people moved to the hinterlands and were no longer seen singing on buses, trains, footpaths, or sometimes even outside temples. Covid pushed them further away. Was surprised to see them on the street this morning. I love how they mix Bhakti texts with film tunes and their simple choir-style singing. *I am still learning to edit videos. All geeks are welcome to teach.
Resting outside the gate of our nextdoor neighbour
Ankahi. Unsaid. 
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