New reading club explores diverse literary, culinary and storytelling practices

Is there anything as magical as sitting down with a book on a rainy Mumbai evening with some hot coffee Turns out if you have an adventurous palate and a slightly larger appetite there might just be Citybased global readersrsquo community Read A Kitaabrsquos new programme titled CuLITnary Spaces aims to offer readers a peek into diverse world cultures through their literary culinary and storytelling practices For months now plans for an inaugural Nagalandthemed session have been simmering under the covers This weekend theyrsquore ready to be served hot A session in Bengaluru Pics CourtesyInstagramldquoAcross genres authors have found a way to talk about food in their books Some of them have taken the time to describe aromas and flavours in great detail Naturally readers like me are often left craving for a tasterdquo chuckles Ekta Bhandari cofounder The Eureka moment for Bhandari and cofounder Anurag Kothari came during an ongoing reading challenge called the India Reading Challenge ldquoWe have been reading books written by authors across the length and breadth of the country The diversity in culinary practices that it opened our eyes to and pushed us towards finally launching the seriesrdquo she revealsEasterine Kire and Dr Temsula Ao Pics CourtesyYoutubeThe debut session hosted at a restaurant run by Naga chefs tomorrow will leave participants spoilt for choice On the menu are an assortment of staples and delicacies like chicken amruso anishi with smoked pork dry chicken in bamboo shoot and yellow papaya salad ldquoAs we dine wersquoll share trivia facts and the cultural significance behind whatrsquos on our plates Bamboo shoots for instance play a central role in Naga cuisine The spices similarly hold great cultural significance They are used very mindfully based on their scientific compositionsrdquo Bhandari explains Anishi with pork and Chicken amrusoAlthough a voracious reader herself Bhandari admits that researching about Naga culture hasnrsquot been a walk in the park ldquoI scoured bookstores across Mumbai Chennai and Bengaluru for books written about the culture and history of Nagaland By the end of my hunt I had no good finds This underlines how underrepresented the culture is in the citiesrdquo she sighs adding that an online search that followed finally unveiled some interesting readsSmoked pork and kholar beans salad and Chicken with bamboo shootBe it Easterine KirersquosA Terrible Matriarchy that presents a peculiar perspective on womenrsquos oppression in a matriarchal household or Dr Temsula Aorsquos These Hills Called Home that presents itself as an eyeopener for those oblivious to the bloodshed that the region has been witness to the books curated for the session will offer an insight into the everyday lives of the Naga people ldquoStories from Nagaland need to be told As an evergrowing and evolving community of readers one of our goals is to unearth stories that you might not find in the bestsellers and popular choice sectionsrdquo Bhandari sharesEkta BhandariCan the notsovoracious readers also join the cultural expedition ldquoAbsolutely We encourage new readers and those not familiar with world history to join us Our next session for instance will put the spotlight on Persian culture something not many might be wellinformed about Reading makes up a part of these sessions but there will also be games sharing of folklore and a table of great food that you donrsquot have to be an intellectual to enjoyrdquo she signs off On July 14 730 pmAt Naga Belly Hubtown Premiere Residences Four Bungalows Andheri WestRegister readakitaab on InstagramCost Revealed on request