Biryani-The Popular food of India - Chef Soju's World

In this topic of National food of different countries, the first one I need to talk about is Biryani. Even though India hasn’t declared a food as her National food due to its diverse cuisine and regional and ethnic disparity among itself. Kitchdi -a rice and lentil porridge was taken to consideration for the National food, but it was dropped due to the regional non popularity of the dish. But still I believe Biryani has to be India’s National food , as it has a wide acceptance throughout the sub-continent with variations adapted by the region. No other dish has such acceptance among the people in India despite their race, caste and region. Every states has their own regional variations of this wonder full dish which produced with proud and perfection. When we travel in the length and breadth of India we feel the sensation and passion that people carries when talk about their own variation of Biryani. Truly , this dish is heavenly and phenomenal which could certainly consider and accept as India’s National Food.

Biryani has been satiating million’s crave since centuries. Its been pleasing our palates from generations. There has been hundreds of recipes in documents which underlines the importance of the dish in Indian community. Every one has something to remember when it comes to the term Biryani, and I am not an exemption.

Today’s generation may have difficulties to hear about our childhood memories. Because they are living in prosperity and plenty. Opportunities and options are widely open for them today. But still I will challenge them about the satisfaction level what they had now and what we had before. The memoirs are so cherished and feel valuable always for us.

In my childhood there were very limited choices. We were satisfied with the lovely home made food prepared by Mom in every house hold. Outing and eating in restaurants were very rare. Getting exotic food like Biryani is something to wait, wait and wait. We satiate our crave for these exotic dishes by attending good wedding receptions which will come in between. Mostly the weddings were served with traditional meals, there were few with Biryani and other stuff, which will afford by rich people in those days. My neighbor was a retired Major who led a disciplined and noble life. The weddings at his house is something we always eagerly waiting for. Because the highlight will be the Biryani made by Noushad caterers , which was very famous in those days. I remember Chef Noushad with grief as he passed away recently. The Biryani and Pudding was heavenly meal for us. While seeing the young Noushad -a fatty fellow, who stays there from beginning till the end making sure all the arrangements were perfect, cross check every stuff before leaving, we children seems to murmur, “how lucky he is, he can have biryani everyday”. In those days its just ‘Biryani’ for us, as time moves and took up a profession in the field of taste and cooking, I had encountered dozens of varieties of this dish, that’s what the time kept for me.

The word ‘Biryani’ is an Indo-Aryan word derived from Persian language. It is believed that the name originated from the term ‘Biryan’ in Persian language means “to fry’. Also the term ‘Birinj’ means rice, so the meat has fried before adding to rice traditionally. Its been described as a rice dish made with meats, eggs, vegetables, yogurt and spices.

The origin of Biryani in India is still disputable. Many believes that it arrives with the Mughal Empire. As Palav- a similar rice dish which pertains in Afghanistan was brought to India by the great Mughal emperors and the royal cooks transform that dish with the addition of spices, meats and vegetables which locally available and suits to the Indian palate . One another story about the Biryani is that , when Mumtaz Mahal, the Queen of Shahjehan, noticed that the soldiers were under nourished while her visit to the barracks, and she ordered the cooks to make some nutritious rich food by mixing rice and meat with spices and saffron, so that the soldiers were stay healthy and they will be vigil to keep the empire safe. As stories goes on the Biryani acquired millions of heart throughout the country and become the most popular food in the sub-continent.

Popular Varieties of Biryani in India.

1. Hyderabadi Biryani (Andhra)
2. Lucknowi Biryani (UP)
3. Thalasseri Biryani (Kerala)
4. Rawther Biryani (Palakkad-Kerala)
5. Amboor Vaniambadi Biryani (Tamil nadu)
6. Thalappakkati Biryani (Dindigul-Tamil Nadu)
7. Chettinadu Biryani (Tamil Nadu)
8. Bhatkali Biryani(South Canara-Karnataka)
9. Uduppi veg Biryani (Karnataka)
10. Beary Biryani (Mangalore-Karnataka)
11. Degh ki Biryani (Maharashtra)
12. Kutchi Memon Biryani (Gujarat/Maharashtra)
13. Bombay Biryani
14. Bohri Biryani
15. Delhi Biryani
16. Culcutta Biryani
17. Kalyani Biryani (Andhra)
18. Sindhi Biryani
19. Kampuri Biryani(Assam)
20. Kashmiri Biryani
21. Mughal Biryani