Writer Usha Vaman Bale, at the launch of the English edition of Potpuja on Sunday at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao. Also seen are Varsha Naik, Asst Professor at Goa College of Home Science, Dinesh Manerkar of Sanjana Publications, Supna Sardesai of Printers Devil and senior journalist Sandesh Prabhudesai. Santosh Mirajkar.
'Potpuja' aims at preserving Goan traditional recipes for posterity
THE GOAN NETWORK
MARGAO
The central aim behind launching the English edition of Konkani book 'Potpuja' penned by Usha Vaman Bale, is preserving erstwhile Goan traditional culinary recipes for posterity. Coupled with this aim, also lies the idea of engaging the Goan readers (housewives) and acclimatising the cuisine handler with the nutritive aspects of these Goan recipes.
This was the crux of the message which emerged at the function organised at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, on January 3, when the book was launched by Varsha Naik, the assistant professor at Goa College of Home Science.
'Potpuja' has also spurred and inspired spin-offs - with yet another book on sweet dishes associated with traditional Hindu festivals, to be penned by Bale, and perhaps to be launched in three months. Varsha Naik is also set to launch another book on the nutritive aspects of the recipes in Potpuja, informed speakers.
Speakers hailed the launch of the English edition, claiming that its Konkani version has witnessed its third edition. While a book on the nutritive values of the recipes in Potpuja has formed the subject matter of another such book to be penned by Varsha Naik. Potpuja itself has recipes ranging from breakfast to dinner - along with all sorts of appetizers and throat soothers (concoctions popularly referred to as Kasai in Konkani), informed speakers.
Senior journalist Sandesh Prabhudesai claimed that the book has been launched in its English edition by public demand and is also sold online. The guest of honour Dinesh Manerkar, who is also the publisher of the Konkani version, urged housewives to pen their traditional recipes in this age of fast food, lest such recipes get lost forever. “The specialty of Goan recipes has to be preserved,” Manerkar remarked, while claiming that author Bale's aim was also to acclimatise new brides about traditional Goan recipes.
Varsha Naik referred to recipes in Potpuja as heritage, indigenous, while appealing to all to get accustomed to these recipes. “Goa has no case of malnourishment as our food (diet) is balanced,” she told the audience.
Sapna Sardesai of 'Printer's Devil' the publisher of the English version said the book is a repository of more than 200 delicious and nutritious Goan recipes from breakfast to dinner.
