Nothing one says about Rajasthan can truly capture its essence. Kings'Kings' stories and love affairs with the golden state have fascinated us. The only way one can come close to understanding what makes Rajasthan the beating heart of India'sIndia's royal past and colourful culture is by experiencing it and immersing oneself in it.
For the folks in Delhi NCR, Gurgaon'sGurgaon's Saga makes it easier to do so with their debut chapter, ''Rangeelo Rajasthan'', of ''The Great Indian Platter''&ndashan initiative conceptualised to celebrate and uphold India'sIndia's rich culinary scape.
The star-studded team at Saga, led by the two-time Michelin Star, Atul Kochhar, has gone above and beyond to curate a fine Rajasthani menu to enhance the rest of the experience that holds art exhibitions, folk-fusion entertainment, puppetry shows and more. It is certainly impressive how the team has struck a magical balance between keeping the authentic flavours intact but with a modern twist.
Accompanying classics like laal maas, daal baati churma, gatte ki pulav, murg bajre ka sawota, are handcrafted cocktails that pack a punch. The concoctions are true to the land of dunes, yet global. Elaborating on how the menu came about, Kochhar said, "Head Chef of SAGA Kush Koli and I had to brainstorm for months to curate this special menu. Rajasthani food has been influenced by the dearth of vegetation and water in the arid state. Each region of Rajasthan has its trademark delicacy. Rajasthani cuisine, especially the non-vegetarian fare, has been considerably influenced by the lifestyle of its royals &ndash the Rajputs. Keeping everything in mind, we have curated a menu that will have everything, from street-style to ethnic, modern to homestyle and royal delights."
The 15-day affair, being held from 5th to 20th November, is definitely a unique experience, bringing gourmands closer to Rajasthan's delectable flavours and culture. "SAGA is all about narrating stories of our country's cuisines and cultures through food. We have curated this festival to promote the art, music, food, and culture of Rajasthan, which is a major contributor to the country's tourism industry. This is also an honest attempt to encourage and empower local artists and artisans by giving them a platform to showcase their work to the world. We're glad to have received immense support from Rajasthan Tourism. The festival will highlight the true essence of Rajasthan, which is beyond the royal palaces", says Anand.