Kitchen- The Guru

By Indhu N C

Dragging oneself like a sloth to prepare food and washing utensils with the utmost frustrated face is the customary scene in most of our kitchens. It is the most isolated and underestimated spot in our home. However, contrary to many of our expectations, there are gripping facts and fascinating philosophy associated with kitchen which has to be accentuated.

Whom have we mostly spotted in the kitchen? Yes, it is our mothers, grandmothers and sisters. Have we ever wondered why this place is extremely feminine? If not, it simply means our mind is been customized to believe that kitchen is meant for women. Gender equality has to be accomplished in this area; otherwise we are inculcating a toxic ideology to our younger generation. Anyways, we can optimistically accept that this area is dominated by the female.

When people die, they not only leave behind memories but also treasures. It is not about the glittering gold and diamond hiding in the carved wooden box, but it is about the abandoned bronze hiding in a corner of the house. A visit to our grandparent’s kitchen will open the suspense. A giant vessel, triple the size of the largest vessel in our kitchen will be placed right in the corner. Following it, there will be two to three other big vessels arranged in descending order with different shapes. Except for occasions, they spent days waiting for another occasion to come. However, years ago they proudly served family of many members who lived together. As days passed, the concept of joint family became an impractical concept and the proud giant vessels had to hide in the darkest portion of the room.

Footwear is not allowed in many of the Indian kitchens as this place is believed to be sacred and this practice assures hygiene. Food is offered to God in rituals and this food is served to the members of the family. This is to show gratitude towards the creator and thank him for the food he provided.

This is the finest platform for innovation as we use the same burner, vegetables, grains, spices but prepare various dishes with different chemical reactions. This is also the best place to express love. The parent watching the child taste his or her innovation happily feels satisfied and experiences an unexplainable bliss.

Have you seen a child enjoy washing hands with the tap open completely which makes the water to flow in full force and suddenly the elder in the family rushes to stop the tap and holds his hand in anger? Water conservation starts with this act. When this child grows, he will be taught to wash the vegetables and utensils in minimum quantity of water.

Also, sustainable use of resources is taught here by implementing ways to reduce energy and the raw materials. One puts in his maximum efforts to use the available ingredients in such a way that nothing much is left over which spoils the next day. Also, the bio-degradable waste from the kitchen can be converted into manure which in turn is going to be used in the garden to again provide vegetables and fruits. All these initiatives from the kitchen is going to make one a satisfied individual and a responsible citizen of the country.

People make a career of their own, using years of experience spent in the kitchen. This smoky room turns them as professionals and entrepreneurs. There are numerous examples in the country where kitchen helped in women empowerment. Also, this place is a secret bank where the cash is hidden in the mustard container or the sugar container or any mysterious area and every little amount has its own objective. If there is no objective, it will be saved for emergency.

Solitude is bliss and kitchen makes it even more special. It soothes your tired soul with the aroma of the food you prepare. At the same time, it is the place where you make memories with good company.

I hope next time you enter kitchen with lots of love, excitement, passion and gratitude.

By Indhu N C