My Dear Sister Moong ki Dal

My Dearest Sister Moong ki Dal,

As I sit here in Vancouver and hear the news from my desh every night, I worry about you. I worry a lot. I wonder how you’re doing back home in Delhi. I wonder if all the other places you visit in the country make you feel loved. I also worry about your marriage, you simple little darling. I know you don’t let the sorrow of rejection show on your beautiful face. You’re so simple, so nice, and I don’t understand why no one would want you.

Your sisters have now begun to worry, too. Don’t you ever think that they’ve forgotten you! Yes, they are doing really well for themselves, and at times it seems like they don’t belong with you; but you must never forget that we’re family. We love you no matter what. However, there are some amends that you’ll have to make. One has to change with the times and it’s about time that we stop blaming luck for your fate. You’ll have to get up on your feet and show the world how tough you really are. It’s the weak who get walked upon all the time, and I can no longer see you in such a state.

It’s not a stroke of luck that your sister, black dal, is doing so well. She realized that the only way a woman can make a name for herself in the society is by being a tough lentil to crack. Despite her dark complexion, she overcame all odds and is now ruling the vegetarian Indian cuisine. Not a single day goes by when her name is not printed in each and every menu of the country. Learn confidence from her, as you can see how she’s turned her usually ill perceived color into her beauty. She has to face a lot of pressure in her workplace, the cooker, every day. Learn from her the courage to push yourself to the extreme and then see yourself being raised to the pedestal of highest appreciation.

Your sister, black dal, has a lot to teach you. You may not be born with all the talent in the world; and it may not be in your nature to be something that the world expects you to be. Learn from her that your victory is in appreciation of the individual qualities of the people around you. She would never be the same without a dollop of butter and a spoonful of tomato puree. But she knows how to work in a team and bring out the best in herself. It’s a big lesson to remember.

Learn from your sister the importance of adaptability. Appreciate the beauty with which she adapts to the Dravidian palette by inconspicuously changing herself into not just the dosa, but also the uttapam and the vada. Remember that change is an important part of life, and the only way you can stop it is by being relatively more dynamic than change itself.

It’s a hard world that you’re living in, and people are going to walk upon you if you let them. Learn from your sister that it’s completely normal, and necessary to show the world how tough you really are. Your words can speak volumes about your personality. Be tough in the way you carry yourself; learn some basic self defense. They don’t call your sister “maa ki” dal for nothing. Try picking up a packet of Lijjat papad and look at the ingredients for a moment. You’ll know kitne logon ko tumhari behen ne papad bilwaayein hain!

Your other sister, channe ki dal, is walking in her elder sister’s footsteps too. She’s conquering the western states of Rajasthan and Gujrat with her beautiful ability to accept change. Khakra, Fafra, Dhokla, Pakore… Open an evening menu and you’ll find her adorning the pages with her ubiquitous presence. Also, you can’t deny how much of a boost the tadka has given her to make it to the prestigious main course faction.

Your sisters are travelling far and wide. I’m not embarrassed to admit that their charm has won them permanent visas to lands that I can never even imagine visiting. They’ve come a long way, and they’ve worked really hard for that.

You must also not forget that you’ve always been the mother’s favorite. You have a gentle nature, and so much more nutritional value. It pains me to see so much latent talent go unnoticed every time that a chef dares to put you on his list of offerings, and not even a single guest cares to appreciate the goodness that you have to offer.

I know you can do it! If you believe in yourself, I’m sure that day isn’t far away when every Indian family that goes out for dinner would name you before calling out for dal makhni and shahi paneer.

Lots of love and good wishes,

Your elder brother,

Pindi Channa

Image Source: monsoonspice.com