According to Odisha, an initiative by the Odia people on Internet, a move is on to observe World Pakhal Day on March 20 to popularise the typical cuisine of the State.
“Almost all Odias eat pakhal (rice mixed with water and curd) everyday. March 20 marks the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere and autumn in the southern hemisphere from an astronomical viewpoint. Twice a year, around March 20 or 21 and September 22 or 23, the sun shines directly on the equator and the length of day and night are nearly equal in all parts of the world. So, March 20 is the perfect day to celebrate Pakhal Day,” pointed out Jagdish Dubey of Smbalpur.
If you take pakhal, you don’t need any ORS powder or treatment for sunstroke or heat wave, said Dilip Das of Kalhandi, who sang a couplet in praise of the food. “Pakhal kansa (bowl of water rice) and piiaaj (onion) revive my old days when we used to guard our onion fields and returning from there, we used to take pakhal. It is consumed by all Odias and so it needs to be popularised all over the world,” opined Bhajram Sahu of Bongomunda.
Pakhal is inalienably connected with the rural lives in the State. It speaks about our rich tradition. We should revive it, because it is our staple food that gives us strength and stamina. Pakhal has self-generated and useful alcohol. It is a yeast forming food which relaxes our muscles and body that other foods can’t, said Nandikishore of Salepali.
It seems to be a noble effort. Let the drive continue for the other gradually diminishing traditional varieties of foods prepared from minor millets like Mandia and Gurjee, said Ajit Panda of Khariar
Dear Sir,
ReplyDeleteWarm greetings!
Really you have portrayed our culture associated with Pakhal Divas and also the astronomical reason. Please keep one hard copy of the NP for me which I will collect from you. You have brought forward many issues of both micro and macro level associated with rural livelihood, culture, politics, economics and many analytical articles through Pioneer and Observer which are very useful. Thanks for your consistent effort. But do you have any collection of all these? It would be required by intellectuals in coming days.
Thanks a lot once again.
Nandi Kishor Sandh