Religion no bar for traditional delicacies

NEW DELHI: Preparations for Eid began a night before at the Khan household — dry fruit and spices had to be grated, bowls used for serving sewaiyan had to be bought, and everything else had to be in order for the big day.
It’s been a month of fasting, and nothing should go wrong. “Food is an integral part of the celebration; we need to have it in the morning, before or after the prayer.Usually, it's sewaiyan, kachoris, or milk with dates cooked in it,” says Junaid Ali Khan, a marketing executive.
The food for the rest of the day, however, is more elaborate. There's keema stew and biryani along with other sumptuous dishes, in quantities enough to feed their extended family members, who visit them during the day. “Mutton plays a big role; even vegetables or potatoes have minced meat in them,” he says.
Rising prices have forced many families to stay within their budget and focus on a simpler menu, but for many non-Muslims it’s still a meal fit for a king. “I absolutely love dishes like korma, and when they’re homemade, they’re more authentic. Though I don’t celebrate Eid, I wait for it every year just for the food,” says Sahil Arora, whose colleague sends him home-cooked food on Eid.
While rich food, family bonding and prayer form the common thread running through the festival, every family has its own way of celebrating the day. Tanzila Anis, a freelance copywriter, says, “A Salman Khan movie has been releasing every year during Eid, so it’s become a tradition for us to go for one in the evening.”
For Amna Mirza Sayeed, a political science lecturer in Delhi University, celebrations this year were different, as this was her first Eid after marriage.
“I had to wear a heavy brocade suit, and supervise everything at home. There was also more responsibility as I had to play host to so many different people, and ensure the preparations were done well. Last year I was pretty carefree,” says Sayeed. While she bonded with friends and family during the day, in the evening she took sewaiyan, sweets and fruit for kids at an orphanage near India Gate. This year’s Eid took on a new meaning for her as she also celebrated a new phase in her life.
No festival is complete without gifts, and on Eid, too, it’s customary for elders to give gifts to youngsters. At just 11 years, Salim is too young to observe the monthlong period of fasting, but he still looks forward to his Eidi (gifts). “I got a remote-controlled helicopter from my parents this year,” he says
happily. Last year, it was just a token amount of Rs 100, so the excitement is understandable.
Abstinence during Ramzan isn’t limited to food and water. Those who observe it are encouraged to practise self-restraint. And for many people, it’s the little things they’ve refrained from that matter a lot. “It’s great to finally gossip with friends on Eid!” says Khan.