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From Khyber to Karachi

Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar

"Pakistani Truck Art and Food Festival'' gets under way in Delhi

CROSS-BORDER TREAT: A Pakistani art and food festival is on in the Capital

NEW DELHI: Politics, sports, art and now food... . There seems no dearth of the flavour of the "immediate West" here as all things Pakistani continue to fascinate and awe us. And at a time when the Pakistan cricket team and a large number of its fans are here for a tournament, Pakistani food is fast attracting people with its typical taste and refined presentation.

Mouth-watering delicacies

And to provide Delhiites with some of the mouth-watering delicacies from the neighbouring land, a 10-day "Pakistani Truck Art and Food Festival'' got under way at Le Meridien here on Thursday.

Aptly titled "Khyber se Karachi Tak'', the festival is also showcasing works of Anjum Raja and her folk art painters who are holding a fascinating exposition of Tribal Truck Art on objects such as lanterns, garden furniture, fans, watering cans, tables, mugs and kettles among other things.

While her works are a treat for the eye, the accompanying team of chefs Hidayatur Rehman and Mohammaed Sadiq has begun whipping up a magical feast for the food-lovers of Delhi at Pakwan in Le Meridien to ensure that the hunger of the stomach is also satiated. The objective of the festival, which will run up to November 5, is to enhance public awareness of this art form and rich cuisine to foster cultural exchange and understanding.

The cuisine is similar to that of North India with Turkish and Middle Eastern influences. However, it is a highly varied cuisine as it encompasses Moghul cuisine, the spicy dishes of Sindh, biryani, korma, pulao and an array of kebabs and various types of grilled meats of Baluchistan.

The culinary delights will include various types of kebabs like Chappli kebab, the speciality lamb mince kebab of the North West Frontier, Tandoor Jheenga Nisha, fresh prawns marinated in a citric blend and delicately cooked in tandoor, and Lahsuni Murgh Tikka, succulent pieces of boneless chicken marinated in ginger with a touch of garlic and charcoal grilled. A variety of juices, sweet dishes and kewa will accompany the main meal.

As for the art exhibition, Anjum Raja has previously held her shows in England, Scotland and India. Representing the new entrepreneurial, accomplished and creative women of Pakistan, she again seeks to leave behind a positive impression about her country here in India.

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