Panta Bhaat

Weekends are my perfect lyadh days. While I line up multiple tasks that need my attention on weekends, I don’t strive to complete them with the same efficiency and speed as I would on other working days.

I do things at my own pace.

And, my pace could be slow for many, but it is stubborn and persistent. It helps me meet my deadlines at work and lets me stay focused on my targets. Most importantly, it helps me take a back seat on the weekends. That’s when I feel more at ease, with myself and my surroundings.

‘Lyadh’ – in colloquial Bangla, means just that.

It means the art of doing nothing at all, of lazing around. Or it could mean taking your own sweet time in doing things. I fall into the latter categorisation.

Lyadh means different things to different people.

It could mean aimlessly watching the world pass by through your little window, gazing up at the clouds and making stories, striking up a conversation with the stars, rewatching mindless comedy classics, or simply putting your feet up and reading a book or listening to your favourite music, and dreaming away.

Basically, ‘Lyadh’ can be anything and everything that lets you unwind fully, where you don’t engage much at the cerebral level.

My idea of Lyadh-ing on a lazy summer Sunday is to have a leisurely brunch of ‘Panta Bhaat’, followed by an afternoon siesta.

What pure bliss that is.

Of late, Panta Bhaat has become a staple food in our household during the summers. It has made its way to our home through me – or so I would like to believe.

While my parents enjoy Panta Bhaat, they are not fixated on having the fermented meal every summer weekend as I am. My love for Panta Bhaat has deepened over the last few years, especially because it tastes good, makes my tummy happy and lyadh-ing post that, feels even more justified.

This rice dish has many versions and is known by different names in different regions of India - Panta Bhaat in West Bengal, Pakhala in Odisha, Poita Bhaat in Assam, Geel Bhaat in Bihar, Pazhamkanji in Kerala, among others.

The first step in preparing Panta Bhaat (Bengali version) is the fermentation process. Usually, the leftover parboiled rice is soaked in water overnight, which then ferments the next day. A dash of lemon, preferably Gondhoraj lebu (a type of lemon grown in Bengal), is squeezed into the rice and is mashed with a bit of mustard oil and salt. It can then be had with onions and green chillies.

Along with this, there are several accompaniments to go with Panta Bhaat, like mashed potatoes, batter-fried vegetables, lentil fritters, and fried fish.

This mildly fermented rice dish was born out of utilitarian needs. Back in the day, when refrigerators were not so common, this was a meal meant for the working people. Moreover, the process left no food waste, as leftover rice was made into a dish that sustained them for a long time.

The oldest historical record of this fermented meal, which is widely reported, dates back to the 17th century. It is attributed to the Portuguese traveller Fray Sebastián Manrique, who visited Bengal and noted that Panta Bhaat, accompanied by salt and green, leafy vegetables, was the main meal for people across all communities.

While it’s evident that we have been consuming fermented foods since ancient times, their popularity has surged only recently. Did we recognise their health benefits too late?

I have been having fermented food items in my diet for many years now. Some of my preferred fermented Indian food items are: Idli (fermented rice cakes), Dosa (made from fermented batter of rice and lentils), Kanji (fermented drink made from black carrots and spices), Pickles (aachar in Hindi, made from fermented vegetables or fruits) and my all-time favourite – Dhokla (fermented snack made from chickpea flour). All these are rich in probiotics, fibre and essential micronutrients that promote gut health.

But ‘Panta Bhaat’ tops my list of favourite summer foods. Its high-water content makes it a hydrating meal, perfect for the scorching heat of Delhi-NCR. And, for me, it goes even deeper. It feels as though my soul immerses itself in a bowl of Panta Bhaat, relishing its cooling properties.

I know it sounds a bit exaggerated and surreal, but that’s exactly what I feel.

Here is a picture of what my plate of soul food looked like last weekend. The add-ons included - bhaaja, or fried lentil and seasonal vegetables, alu makha, or mashed potatoes with mustard oil and green chillies, and fried Ilish (hilsa) fish.

If Wim Wenders’ Oscar-nominated Japanese drama “Perfect Days” ever gets made into an Indian version, I propose that the filmmaker include the often-called ‘peasant's meal’ in the narrative.

Panta Bhaat and lyadh-ing go in “perfect” sync with the theme of the film.

They all make a compelling case for a life that is simple, slow, light, and easy.

Published on WION website: July 20, 2025

A Half-Baked Cake

I baked a perfect heart-shaped raspberry cake today.

It came out soft, creamy, fluffy and spongy.

You ought to be familiar with its colour and aroma.

Much to your delight, it still reveals the same zest for life!

Its contour is colourful and confident

Its natural silkiness melts away the soreness inside.

This time the frozen berries on the top jazzed it up a bit.

And, the lily flowers on the tray have made up for the lost scent.

Yes, that’s the story of one half of the cake.

Let’s keep the other half for some other day.

As yet, it’s unprocessed and half-baked!

Residual Love

You love green apples, I love red ones

You prefer continental, I like Indian

You hog and jog, I sleep and skip

You focus on the destination, I enjoy the ride

You listen to Gwen Stefani, I hum Ghazal notes

You adore winter holidays, I am a bright summer girl

You always get lost in my eyes, I can’t ever track your heart

Yet one part of me in you loves the red apples

Yet one part of you in me sings - ‘I know, we’re cool’

Laugh lines around my eyes – Smile please!

Some well-meaning relatives in my life have only one ambition to execute this year. They tell me that they can’t wait to shop like crazy for my wedding. And that, they are getting old and might not be agile enough to perform all the wedding-related chores by the time I actually do get married. Therefore, I have been told to seriously consider their plea.

Thirty and not a sign of settling down, is considered a big deal in a woman’s life. My parents, thankfully, don’t make it sound as big as the rest of the people in my life do. I have started hearing their sympathetic tones lately.

So, what should I do?

There are 2 ways of sorting this out -

First - I should let my parents do the groom hunt quite actively now and happily participate in all the activities. I should let my profile flash on various matrimonial sites and carefully choose to interact with the right prospective/s. Basically, I should open myself to the route of an arranged marriage system.

Second – I should wait for Mr. Right to come into my life. A dear friend KM had once pointed out – ‘Onnu, don’t you think, you live in a fantasy world or something? How long will you just sit on this and wait for your fairytale miracle to happen to you?’

My reply was, and is still the same – For as long as it takes.   

Is there still a third way of setting this up? I am yet to discover, if there is.

In my mind, I am in no hurry to settle down. But, when I put my mind to rest for a few hours, I wake up to this harsh reality of my life - where everyone around me is screaming aloud in 3 different languages – ‘when are you getting married? Kab shaadi kar rahi ho? Aei mey, kokhon beye korchish?’

Honestly, I don’t know. I really DO NOT KNOW!

I just know one thing it will happen when the Gods up there take time out to decide upon my future. In the meantime, I can only keep my attitude as optimistic as this sales executive at the Levi’s store, who claimed that I can never outgrow the perfect 26-inch waistline! Also, as realistic as the parlour aunty who recently asked me to replace my daily skincare products with anti-aging ones. Precisely, that’s the reason why it is not tough to keep my outlook well-balanced.

And, for some other strange reason, an acquired interest in the field of Sports, is currently defining me as a person.

It’s bound to instill in me the true spirit of sportsmanship, if nothing else. 

P.S.

I love aging. It brings forth a lot of maturity, humility, fun, and some elegant laugh lines. 

11 Things Every Woman Should Write to Empower Herself

Let me say this at the outset: I am sorry for being this late. Have been working for the past few weeks at a stretch, even spending my weekends in the newsroom and editing bays. But since it's an off day today, I am all set to pour down my thoughts on this topic. I don’t think the title of the topic stays valid in my case, so here’s changing it a bit –

Things Every Woman Should Write to Empower Herself

1  1. What Younger You Would Like About Present You 

My younger self is in love with the present me. She is independent, full of life, humble, and spiritual. She discovered her spiritual side almost a decade back. Having attended some of the meditation or Murli classes, she understood the essence of the word – ACCEPTANCE.  

Today, her dreams might have grown bigger, but her expectations have lowered. Though she strives hard to achieve her big dreams, she accepts that impediments make the journey even more interesting, beautiful, and worthy! I am in love with the present Anushree Bhaumik.

2. The Watched/Read It List

I love reading books, and I love watching movies. However, sometimes, it becomes too difficult to read a book after a long, tiring day at work. And, those are the times when I prefer taking a deep slumber to reading or writing, since I know the next day will equally be tiring. When time permits, I do read one chapter before I hit bed.

Well, at present, I am reading a book, the adaptation of which I missed out on watching on the big screen – Yann Martel’s Life of Pi. Have watched the movie on television but it’s a different feeling to read the book, which talks intensely about living a fuller and more adventurous life. Next on my reading list is a Jhumpa Lahiri book.

The last movie I watched in the theatre was – The Lunchbox. I was smitten by the beautiful storyline and the brilliant acting by Irrfan Khan, Nimrat Kaur, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. In fact, for the longest time, I had high hopes of it making it to the Oscars. But then I am also the one who thinks Bollywood has an obsession with the Oscars and should come out of this reverie soon and concentrate only on creating meaningful films.

3. The Mistake You Never Want to Make

There are a couple of mistakes that I don’t want to make. However, they always allow me to reinvent myself. One among them is my habit of getting worked up over what people say about my surroundings, my state of mind, my idea of living life, my way of eating and dressing, my way of dealing with varied relationships… and so on. 
There is a constant policing that people around you will always do. They have a say in anything and everything that they don’t quite agree with. This is the time to smile at them and get on with my life – the way I want to live it and not get too stressed with what others think of me.

4. Your Ideal Outfit

In my perfect world, I am wearing a pyajama and a T-shirt and that’s because it’s a Sunday and I am at home. But, I love dressing up nicely and especially for get-togethers. What I wear, depends primarily on my mood and the social surroundings of the event.

Last year, I experimented with wearing a halter blouse with my mother’s Tussar Silk saree at a cousin’s wedding in Kolkata. And, trust me, I was warmly welcomed by all.

Below is a picture from that event. Yes, that’s my ever-gorgeous mother. 

5. A Deep, Dark—Shhh—Secret

To that, I’ll say – it depends on each one’s personality and how one nurtures the secrets. For me, my secrets are like those hidden possessions that have the potential to make any mundane day look brighter!

6. The Most Unexpected Compliment You Ever Got

Oh! How can I forget this one? This is a recent compliment that I received from one of my interviewees, with whom I shot for 3 continuous days. At the end of the third day, he said – ‘You are too sweet for a journalist. I never found you screaming all this while.’

I thanked him and said – 'Not all journalists scream, sir.'

7. That One Quote

Sharing some of my favourite quotes - 

1.      Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies
- The Shawshank Redemption

2.      When you want something, the universe conspires to help you to achieve it.
Paulo Coelho

3.      Faith in God is an opening up, a letting go, a deep trust, a free act of love – Life of Pi

4.      You’ll never find a rainbow if you’re looking down – Charlie Chaplin

8. The Best Surprise You’ve Ever Had

Six years ago, I was almost kidnapped by a lovely friend who came to meet me at my former office. Before I knew anything, I was sitting at Pizza Hut (somewhat far from the office) - all annoyed for not being told of the plans in advance. Nothing too big a surprise, but it was indeed a pleasant one. When I look back at it today, I laugh frantically… and regret not having enjoyed those beautiful moments fully.

9. Your True Happiness

Happy when my reporting boss says – ‘Anushree, good story / nice script / good shoot.’

Happy to have an orange or lime ice candy in the scorching heat. Happy to go rafting with my family and friends in Rishikesh. Happy when my mother makes me something interesting to eat… and when my father drops me to office. Happy to come back home late at night to the already-made bed by my younger brother. Happy when my grandfather watches all my stories and feels proud to read my name on the credit roll. These are small everyday happy moments. However, my true happiness is in the happiness of the people around me. I am happiest when I know that my family and friends are doing just fine.

10. Your Favourite Failure

As a child, I was a good dancer. (Some say - I still am) My mother taught me to dance to Rabindranath Tagore’s songs. I started with that but later tried all dance forms. I would often go solo in dance performances in school. This one time, my dance teacher asked me to take part in a group dance. I did that, although we weren’t allowed to participate in more than one activity – a rule for classes 9 to 12. I still remember that she somehow didn’t like my dancing skills and chucked me out of the group a day before the function. I cried buckets as a 9^th grader. But that day, I promised myself that I would be a far better dancer than I was then. And the very next year, I stood first at the State Level Dance competition (Uttar Pradesh). But then that one incident gave me an ambition and a challenging task to better myself as a dancer.

11. An Amendment to the Bucket List

Don’t know whether I should be calling them amendments, but yes, there are a few stuff that I would certainly want to achieve this year. I have been postponing my dream of learning how to bake. I want to start baking and also blogging about the same.

And, as per my personality, I think I’ll be better off being a little less indolent about things I love doing in life – dancing, cooking, blogging, and laughing. We don’t need any specific occasion to do what we thoroughly enjoy doing in life. Just that we should be able to manage time – and that’s what I am constantly striving for.

Here’s the link to the original article on Oprah.com

http://www.oprah.com/spirit/Things-Every-Woman-Should-Write-Down

Also, a big thank you to - Corinne Rodrigues and Pratibha G - the bloggers who came up with insightful posts, and inspired many like me to write their own.