nikitachakraborty.com

Category: Indian Blogger

  • The day I became a Mum!

    The day I became a Mum!

    Just about 3 weeks ago, I was just Nikita, a wife though but not a Mum. Not even close to becoming one. Had no thoughts about it, no plans, no mood. Honestly, I felt like one only when I watched the videos that came on my Facebook and Instagram Feed.

    But then, it suddenly happened.  Rohan and I did keep talking about it. Watched ‘n’ number of videos and thought about becoming parents but then we backed out every time since we both work full time. We went nuts after seeing videos of Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds. And also, Rohan wanted a German Shepherd and I wanted a Pug. He doesn’t like smaller dogs, Says they are useless. XD And no way was I getting a German Shepherd. I fucking pee on my pants even if they are a kilometer away. I know they are the best dogs. So our conversations about getting one always narrowed down to Golden Retrievers.

    And then, one fine Friday, we were working from home and the man of the house suddenly started checking adoption centers, kennels and what not. The man of the house wanted a dog since the past 2 years and I wasn’t very keen on that thought. Mainly, because I have always been scared of them after one chased me like a mad man back in my childhood. Pretty much the scene from Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. “Ekbaar pagal kutta piche pad gaya tha. Kheto se lekar ghar tak bhaga tha”. However, after meeting Rohan, my fear eventually was overpowered by furry baby’s cuteness and loyalty and I started to dislike cats and love dogs. I started playing with them at my apartment, my Brother’s place, my office and any other place where I found one. My Instagram search feed was full of dog videos. Every kind.

    So the next Saturday, we casually called one of our friend who’s Golden Baby had given birth to a litter and we casually went to check them. We reached there and started playing them and just cuddling them. By then, the man of the house and I were mentally parents and started talking about his food, vaccination and all other kinds of stuff. Soon, we had ‘Kuttush’ in a box, in our car, on my lap. And there, we became parents in a day.

    Honestly, I was fucking nervous, weird, anxious and what not. Because, obviously, duh! This was a whole new experience for both of us. And you know, Rohan had the name Kuttush in mind since the day we started talking about dogs. When we saw that little guy, he felt like Kuttush. He was one little, fluffy, innocent looking guy who pooped on my lap while going back home. I was fucking annoyed with that warm, liquid, gross poop on my lap but I did not react. I wasn’t angry on the little guy instead I felt sorry that Kuttush was tired, freaked out about going to his new home and pooped right there because he had no way out. And bang! I became a Mum 😐

    Trust me, it wasn’t easy and it is still not easy for me to accept that our lives have changed. We are getting accustomed to him being with us because we love him.

    The first day, sir pooped twice on my carpet and I sent it for washing, got it back and rolled it forever. Then came in Rohan’s gym shoes. He chewed them away to glory and then I packed all our shoes into the cupboard. The weird part is it’s fun watching him do all that.

    Then came the second day and the responsibility part. Waking up way before we actually woke up to give him food, ask him to poop and pee on the pad. I lost my shit. I lost my shit at the house being dirty to a level that I can never imagine. But then, all this goes away when I look at his face. But again, I won’t lie, it’s a task coming back home from work and cleaning the entire house and then not getting enough sleep and running back to work the next day. No kidding, but I have literally spent two hours everyday sleeping at work for one entire week. I am an impatient person so handling a dog and being patient with his potty training is an extremely tedious task for me. But you know what? I have Rohan who is by far the most patient guy and the best Father that Kuttush can ever get. He is the man who every girl would actually want. He is so good with Kuttush that I have become less anxious and worried now.

    I know we need to sacrifice our date nights, movie nights, drinking nights at pubs for another month at least. But this is all an experience that I don’t think anyone who loves dogs would not want to experience. Coming back home and Kuttush jumping at me and sitting on my lap like there’s no tomorrow is something that I enjoy. Hearing all this to do’s from Rohan and what new chew and ruined is again something that does make me angry but then I think it’s okay. Maybe, it’s okay to not have a perfect, neat and clean home. I am still not completely okay about this. I need time. I am pretty sure Kuttush will change my thoughts and my weird obsession with cleanliness. The other day he made three tiny holes on my new curtain. My heart cried but then eventually I racked those curtains up and tied them to a level he can’t reach. I come back home and he sleeps on my lap like a baby and doesn’t do any kind of nuisance. Doesn’t give a jack to Rohan when he scolds.

    Cutting this short, bringing Kuttush home has possibly been the best that I and Rohan have done. Maybe, he will help us prepare well for the future. The love that he will shower at us is not comparable. It is unconditional. And maybe, he will also make us better parents and better human beings.

    Still bummed about becoming a parent though and trying to gulp a little every day by just taking a look at his face which is I kid you not, so adorable. I can see him growing every day. I feel he is growing by the hour. Or is he? I don’t know. But I can see him grow into a handsome, good pup pretty soon.

    You know what? Kuttush has a way to punish us too. Damn funny but yes, he does. He decides to poop in front of our bed if we are even 5 minutes late to give his food. He has all the weird corners of the house to sleep in no matter how comfortable his bed his. My chappal, Rohan’s toe, my kurtas, and dirt are his favorite foods now. He licks clean all my windows no matter how much I scold him not to eat dirt and eat the food that we give him. But, sadly all in vain. He thinks he is a power ranger and starts running towards us like he’s about to reach new heights at the Olympics for Dogs. But he can’t balance his own body. XD

    Becoming a Mum isn’t easy. Not at all a piece of cake and absolutely not if you are scared of dogs or are a cleanliness freak like me. I am trying hard and working towards becoming a better Mum. I am pretty sure I will keep writing more about Kuttush as he keeps growing and increases his to-do list. XD

    We are really are annoyed, excited, thrilled to go on with this journey. Kuttush is a bag of joy in our lives.

     

    -Love

    WildChild

  • Tales of Pujo – Shada kashful and cotton like clouds with a hint of Darjeeling

    Tales of Pujo – Shada kashful and cotton like clouds with a hint of Darjeeling

    “We are now in the mountains and they are in us, kindling enthusiasm, making every nerve quiver, filling every pore and cell of us.” Whoever wrote this knows the beauty and the feel good factor about the mountains. Also, let me warn you guys, this article obviously is about my love for mountains but then this has the not so hidden emotions of Pujo. There is a high chance of my writing going haywire between mountains and Pujo.

    Sipping a cup of hot coffee, munching the delectable pork breakfast platter with Kanchenjunga in front is a view to die for. All these makes Darjeeling a very special place for me.

    If only I could back pack and run away to those incredible mountains. They keep calling me you know. Those white, silent (appears to be silent), and huge mountains who I feel has their own story. I am almost tripping I suppose. Basically, a week trip. Four days of Pujo and rest of the three days to Darjeeling. Oh, how I crave for it now.

    Now for a Bengali, Pujo is all together a next level sentiment. If you are a Bong and away from home, with less than a month left for Pujo and you are slogging at office, mood off hona banta hai boss. This feeling is like a reflex action. And to top it all, when the chicken maggi and pork momos of Darjeeling are just a few hours away from Kolkata.

    The look of shada kashful (kans grass), cotton like clouds, how terribly do I miss this here in Bangalore. Roaming all around the city for the entire night. Having some of the most amazing food from most of my favorite places. Dressed up in absolutely beautiful sarees and Pandal hopping (thakur dekhte jawa). The planning starts a month before Pujo, Shopping for all the four days which actually turns out to become a huge amount of shopping. Waking up at 4 to watch Mahalaya, that is my call. Shoshti gives you that hit, that happiness that Pujo has come and the next four days will be cherished for an entire year.

    Fasting on Ashtami morning to give Onjoli and then hoggoing Khichudi, Aaloo bhaja, Labra, Papad and Chutney. I can promise nothing in this world can give me more happiness during Pujo other than this. Roaming in Maddox Square and Park Street , all dressed up and photo ready and then having Kosha Mangsho and Luchi for dinner.

    The night ends with preparing clothes for Navami and more of Pandal Hopping. Bijoya Dashami can never be happy for any bengali. We almost have tears in our ears to see Maa go away and remember the phrase “Aashche bochor aabar hobe”.

    And before we even realize, its dashami. Dashami, however, has its own charm. Women cladded with lal paar shada saree (White saree with red border), all decked up for Sindoor Khela. Trust me, at times its better than Holi.

    You know what my alarm is during Pujo?

    Parar pujo’r dhaak’er awaj. Basically, dhak playing at a nearby Pujo. I do not want to watch to any fancy classic rock band play during Pujo (even though they’re my favorite). I love watching Fossils, Krosswindz, Lakkhichara play and let their songs touch my heart. For that matter even Bhoomi and Chandrabindoo will give me happiness.

    I want kochuri and jilepi for breakfast. Cereals are boring during Pujo. Only if I had a chance to run to Kolkata.

    No matter, where I live, my heart and soul cries for Kolkata during Pujo. I cannot. and absolutely cannot stay away from home during Pujo and it is so unfortunate that I have to.

    I don’t really know to spend those four days here. I miss home. I miss Kolkata. I miss Maa made Luchi and Shada Aloo’r torkari. Only if I had a chance, only if I had an option.

     

    -Maa Aashchen

  • Koshe Kosha- Where lyadhkhor bongs go to eat

    Koshe Kosha- Where lyadhkhor bongs go to eat

    Hey there foodies!

    On my haul to find good Bengali food in Banglore, I landed at Koshe Kosha. Koshe Kosha is a Bengali food chain which originally is from Kolkata and hasa branch in Bangalore too. Here it is in 80 feet road, 1st block, Koramangala and is open till 11 PM. The place does not have a great ambiance. However, the main attraction is a book shelf with some really good books. The exterior has some pictures of ancient Kolkata.

    This is an authentic Bengali Restaurant which is quite famous for the variety of fish served. Ilish maach (Hilsa) is their top-selling fish among the Bengalis. Koshe Kosha also has a good variety of mutton, chicken and prawn. They have one crab dish as well which is the Kankrar Jhal. Kankrar jhal is a typical bengali crab preparation which is supposedly spicy as the name suggests.

    So what we ordered are Sona Muger Dal, Bhetki Paturi, Mutton Dak Bunglow, Aloo bhaja, Plain Rice, Anarosher Chutney and Aam Pora Shorbot. No Ilish for us as neither me nor Rohan is an ilish fan.

    To begin with, Sona Muger Dal is Moong Dal tempered with Jeera and Green Peas. You can either temper in Ghee or Oil. Adding green peas is also optional. This dal goes really well with the Aloo bhaja. The Aloo bhaja I am referring to is finely chopped potato which is deep-fried and is very crispy.

    Next thing was Bhetki maccher paturi. This is Beckti fosh cooked inside a Banana leaf and steamed. I will clear the ingredients when I show you guys how to prepare it. This has a tinge of Sarso (Mustard seeds) and goes brilliantly with plain rice.

    Next up was Mutton Dak Bungalow. Dak Bungalow, sadly, is a near-forgotten culinary treasure that survives among a few remaining khansama families and Anglo-Indian households. This gravy is prepared with egg and is rich and thick and is a perfect pair with plain rice. Dak Bungalow is very well sauteed with a lot of different spices (details will be soon up as a recipe).

    The last thing was Anarosher Chutney which is highly recommended. Rohan has a sweet tooth for Chutney and when he says that a certain Chutney is good, it has to be good.

    I did not try the fish but I can blindly recommend some of them. A must try is Ilish Bhapa  or Bhape Ilish. This is one of the best Bengali fish dish and you will never regret eating it. Other good fish choice would be, Pabdar jhhal, Chitol machher muitha and Pomfret Jhal. These are all authentic Bengali dishes and should be tried for sure.

    I feel sorry for the vegetarians though (pun intended). Potol dorma is one thing they can try and they will absolutely love it. Dorma is Potol stuffed with Paneer. However, this dosh can also be prepared with chicken or mutton keema and tastes heaven! Another good try would Jhinge Aloo Posto. This dish is Jhinge cooked with potato and Posto (Poppo Seeds). This a very good dish which goes really well with Plain rice and Dal. A very simple yet tempting veg dish would be Alu Phulkopi (Cauliflower cooked with aloo and spices). Not a Shukto fan hence no recommendations. You guys can try it though. Shukto is one of the oldest and very famous Bengali dish cooked with Thankuni leaves.

    For starters, I would highly recommend Fish Kabiraji. Kabiraji is fish coated with eggs and deep-fried. This is quite heavy for a started. However, this has to be tried. Another good try in Mangsher Cutley. Mangsher Cutlet is simply Mutton Cutlet and is absolutely brilliant!

    For dessert, you can blindly order Nolen Gurer Ice Cream.  Nolen Gur is a famous jaggery from Kolkata and makes this ice cream taste like heaven. However, for the real Nolen Gurer Ice- Cream, I would recommend Pabrais. Its is an ice cream joint from Kolkata known for Nolen Gur Ice cream and Pan flavored ice cream.

    That is all about Koshe Kosha. Do try this place and let me know if you want me review any specific restaurant.

    Happy Eating! 😀

    Whole lotta love

    -WildChlild