Lockdown & Food: Wandering Thoughts

Ever since we remained confined to home after the declaration of nationwide lock down, it seems the subject of ‘food’ has taken a prominent space in our daily activities and communication. Food definitely is and has been basic to our existence. But never before was it in the forefront of our awareness. We used to see our existential pride in many other activities and skill sets than our culinary skill: except for those in the food industry. But once we became confined to the home, the significance of food took over a vast expanse of our perceptual canvas if not the entirety of that space. That is what it seems to me. Let us see, if my thought on food gives you some more food for thought!

The moment nation wide lock down was declared; probably the first thing we thought of is food. People queued up the grocery stores for food items to stock up before midnight. Government authorities quickly responded to this panic and very next day assured people that both durable and perishable items of food will be in regular supply. TV screens were full of information and discussions towards this assurance. But we were not assured in those early days. So the entire first week of lock down our rush to the food stores, vegetable vendors, milk parlors for getting as much stock as we can manage continued and the media remained occupied in complaining of crowding and lack of social distancing in these places.

With all outward movements curtailed and family members at home, kitchen suddenly saw an overdose of energy rush in each and every home. Watching TV and eating something was the pattern of waking hours for a few days in my home. And that is what was reported from friends and relatives. In fact while dealing with the anxiety and fear of this new situation food became the stress buster and enjoyment.

So the culinary skill in every household came to practice with zest and fervor. Each one tried their hand in dishing out as many delectable they could with the available ingredients. And not only these were devoured with alacrity at home, pictures of these items became prime display in the shared spaces. Social media over flowed with pictures of food items prepared at each home.  And the eagerness to share this creativity was universal to all levels of society who had the comfort of a home. So we not only got to see the pictures of food items prepared by friends and relatives, but also celebrities. Each one was outdoing other in sharing their stories of food prepared for their loved ones, culinary skill, kitchen management skill.

The social media also saw a great burst in articles and videos of easy to follow step by step recipes for food items from food bloggers. Not only these catered to simple daily cooking items, they also shared the recipes of street foods and restaurant foods.

Food was not only dominant in private/ public discourse: this also became central in public /public domain in the first week itself. Central and State Governments had already declared the various measures of food distribution schemes for the poor with home. But when thousands of migrant laborers took to the street because of sudden lack of income and food, TV and social media was filled up with discussion on various aspects of food and hunger. Urgent situations bring urgent measures. So food and food preparation spilled from private kitchens to mega kitchens in public domain. Cooked food for lakhs of people were prepared and distributed in all States and UTs.

But this solution brought into notice another aspect of our relationship with food.  Food is not confined to our homes; it is also part of our social distinction and social identity. Move from one state to other, one geographical region to another and our food preparation and preferences changes. Food is a mark of social distinction. Makki di roti and Sorson da saag brings Punjab into mind where as Dhoklas remind us of Gujrat.  Punjabis can have Idli with delight and Tamilians can love Aaloo Parantha for a change of taste. But make that change of taste staple and you will know what withdrawal symptom it can create for our conditioned taste buds.

And lock down indeed showed us this withdrawal symptom in many parts of the country. Reports of some revolts in the public domains of food service came to lime light because of the discrepancy in food being served and food that groups of migrant laborers were habituated with. If problems surface, can solutions be far behind? So solutions like migrants of different states being served the food of their zone was reported in media, particularly from Kerala. Kudos to those who came up and executed the solution successfully.

Before I could move out from this subject food and social distinction, I came across a story on Personal Optimised Diet (POD). Food not only can make groups distinct, food can also make individuals distinct.  I mean food can be personalized to make you healthy and fit. The story highlighted Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone among many other Hindi film celebrities who are keeping themselves fit while enjoying their own POD.

Home and Home cooked food… became the buzzword for us in this lock down confinement. I do not remember when earlier to this period we had become so acutely aware of its primacy in our life?  Almost every body trying to dish out some new dishes, we became conscious that food is not only food, but also a great source of creativity , source of enjoyment, source of pride, satisfaction and happiness. Not only photos of home cooked food and recipes entertained us in media, food cartoons and memes were also galore.

 Also came to awareness that there can be an equation between food and gender discourse. Well, my friends working for years on this issue of gender may know the link. But my neighbor was not familiar until she read that Vidya Balan used to think cooking is a symbol domestication and hence by choice kept away from cooking until the lock down. During this period of home confinement even she tried out her hand at cooking and dished out some traditional dish to her own satisfaction.

Earlier to lock down I had not noticed that food also can be in fashion. No? My awareness widened when I saw the numerous social media postings on Dalgonacoffee. People started posting pictures of coffee prepared by them and soon it became a trending news.  Not only Food can be in fashion, food items also can create fashion statement. That I learnt from Kareena Kapoor’s 'pasta necklace' designed and made by her adorable son Taimur.

I think this thought on food is becoming lengthy. But how can I end my thoughts without mentioning about the doctors and nurses and hospital staff who are unable to go to their homes to safeguard their families from the highly contagious disease. Bereft of home cooked food many are dependent on food parcels. This I learnt from the news stories on pizza delivery boys after one amongst them was found positive. Hope we will find some solution to this highly contagious disease sooner than later and these doctors, nurses and other hospital staff can go back to their home and enjoy a home cooked meal.

Last but not the least or rather the show stopper thought on food. Is it because of lock down food is trending or because of food lock down is in trend?  Many opine that the origin of this entire new experience all over the world is China’s Wet Market ...  

Some food for thought …?