A cup of Assam Tea

                                        Komal Saul prior to soaking. Komal Saul takes me to my grandparents' home, where I recall the early childhood days when we stayed in a different city and visited my grandparents' ancestral home. My grandmother often delights in preparing a morning breakfast in a jiffy. The breakfast is called Komal saul or soft rice. A luscious, slightly golden color and light glossy textured rice, no need for the cooking process, unlike other regular rice. In Assamese, 'Komal' means soft, and that softness does not require cooking. Soak it in hot water for a few minutes, and it's ready to eat.          My home state, Assam, produces a variety of rice, and it's no wonder we have all kinds of cereals, snacks, and main courses made from rice. Any other type of rice is considered the main course, whereas Komal Saul is considered a light...

Designer:  Kunal Kaushik,  an acclaimed designer and a born artist, Kunal designs resplendent and redefining Assamese traditions, an elusive weave that lures one into his signature rhythm and rendition, which merges relevant global sensibilities.  A dreamy cream mekhela chadar warp and weft, featuring Assamese motifs, Dhulia and Nasani (the drummer and damsel dancer), with Kunal's quintessential use of color, including shocking fuchsia pink and periwinkle purple in Mina. After wearing Kunal , I felt like a modern princess. Kunal's designs are not just to wear but to cherish and celebrate. No wonder Kunal is seen as an avant-garde designer. Event: Assam Convention -The Assam Convention is a celebration of the Assamese diaspora in North America, where the Assamese community comes together to showcase Assamese culture, food, traditional talent, and invited artists. Every year, it is celebrated on the July 4th weekend in various cities around North America. This time...

      Every celebration in the world is associated with some kind of color. When somebody talks about Christmas, the red, green and gold always come to mind. Bihu  is a celebration related to colors like red and beige (in Assamese we call it muga color). This year we visited Boston for Bihu celebration. While deciding on an outfit, I chose a muga color mekhela chadar and a red bell sleeve top. I skip the blouse because I wanted to give a modern twist.       My love affair with mekhela chadar had started long back. But only thing stopping me from wearing it was that my plates were never perfect. When I was in my 20s, whenever I had to wear mekhela chadar , I always had an excuse for not getting proper plates.  In my 30s and now I am more comfortable, and I found my way to wear it, giving it a modern twist by either wearing modern accessories or chic blouse instead of the typical ones. Even now I am not getting perfect in wear...

Bohag Bihu or Rogali Bihu is not just a festival, it's a heartbeat that beats in every assamese heart. Bihu is an energy and spirit that carries a whole lot of assamese emotion. Food: Bihu is happiness in eating assamese delicacies whether it's pitha(Assamese sweet fritter) or jolpan(assamese cereal). Assamese home gets fragmented by all the delicious Bihu food. Handlooms or gifts: Bihu is the beginning of the assamese new year. Buying and gifting new clothes is a tradition. Gifting a handcrafted assamese gamosa or mekhela chadar to your beloved is always fun. Is it not exciting enough to celebrate Bihu? Bloom: Bihu is the time of the year that witness the bloom of beauty or beautiful flowers. New leaves come during this time and transform Assam into a whole new scene. Kapau full (foxtail flower) accentuate Bihu esthetics. Season of love or wedding: Bihu is the ultimate season of love. Bihu songs totally depict all the told and untold Assamese love sa...

      Utterly offbeat and witness to 6oo years of riots, revolves, changing political scenarios and one of the tremendous cultural hub of the east with fluid architecture and the city of lakes, yes it is Sibsagar. Built in 18th century by Ahom dynasty, tucked away in the fertile bank of Dikhow river Sibsagar, in the mist of green forest and dusty roads, the city intrigued you every bit. Entering here you fall for the finest fables of yesteryears.  A day is not enough to explore this historic city but will get you a glimpse of the vast might of the Ahom kingdom. 1. Shiva Dol - Whether you are an avid devotee or audacious traveler, Shivdol will hook you in no time. Located in the heart of the city consisting of the main Shiva dol and two relatively small Vishnu dol and Devi dol. Dol means temple in the Assamese language. Built-in 1734  by queen Ambika wife of Shiva Singha, Ahom king. The dome-shaped Shiva dol had a kolosi (vase) of pu...

            Northeast India has color, culture and charisma of abundant natural beauty. Especially my home state Assam is blessed with the most exotic flora and fauna. My recent visit to India this time, I visited Kaziranga biodiversity park. Entering the park after getting tickets, we were greeted by humble staff ready to help, wearing the most whimsical Assamese traditional attire.       The park was inaugurated on 2015 October. It is 17 miles from Kaziranga national park and 137 miles from the Capital city Guwahati. The orchard and biodiversity park is a humble attempt by Akhil Gogoi, the founder Secretary of Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), a farmer organization based in Assam India, to preserve the biodiversity of Assam and North East India.       The park is a whimsical display of 600 orchids, greenhouse, seed bank, herb garden, cactus garden, a park for children, different vari...