Women and Food Through The Generations

My grandmother, while preparing sweets and savories for the entire family, used to tell me
that food is something that can be so basic but so lasting as a memory. I never understood it
at that time, as I sat beside her and watched her whip up absolute magic in such a patient
manner.
For our grandmothers, keeping us well fed was the priority and they loved that. After almost
two decades, I finally understood what she meant. For them, it was the women’s job to cook
for the entire family, and they took pride in it. They would stand in front of the stove for
hours, stirring away at homemade Chakki, Naankhattai, and other food that just isn’t made at
home anymore.
For our mothers, taking care of the entire family and work go hand in hand. I crave my
grandmother’s food, but equally appreciate the dishes patiently made by my mom, with the
same amount of love. I think to myself, these are just new memories made for years to
come, as I open my lunchbox to different parathas everyday with homemade pickle! They
perfected the balance between working in the office and kitchen, teaching us invaluable tips
about time management.
Our generation gets a bad rep for not appreciating home-cooked food, but in reality, we all
crave the comfort it gives us. ‘Ghar ka khana and the ‘mother’s touch’ is a cuisine that we try
to replicate in our hostel dorms or apartments. Calling up our moms for the right amount of
ingredients to get the correct taste, and hearing, “Oh, I don’t have a particular measurement,
I just know how much is right” is an all too common answer.
A quick 2-minute ready-to-eat meal might satisfy our belly, but the love and patience with
which our mothers and grandmothers made us our favorite food, is what satisfies our heart.
There is a big generational gap between us but what we need to appreciate are the
sacrifices they have made for us. They’ve gone hungry just to put food on our plate,
metaphorically, and often literally.
This Women’s Day, and in your life, we need to acknowledge and appreciate them for the
love they’ve given us, through food and their care.