Kolkata Biryani and what we can learn about migration from it

Abstract

Biryani is one of the most important culinary preparations of the Indian cuisine. Having originated in Persia, it spread to various part of the world. In India itself, Biryani has multiple varieties based on local cooking methods, raw materials and spices. Kolkata Biryani is one of the most popular varieties of Biryani that was introduced in the city of Kolkata in Eastern India. This manuscript revisits the history of the birth of Kolkata Biryani and how it was born out of the political migration of the Nawab of Awadh from Lucknow to Kolkata due to confrontation with the British East India Company. The manuscript further traces this journey from the perspective of migrant and dwells on possible positive and negative effects of this migration on its mental health. This manuscript is a conceptual take on the story that has been recreated based on the anecdotal reports available on internet.