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Fast food on Ramzan, Pitra Paksha menus

Amita Verma

The winds of change have started blowing in Lucknow across religious events and the food served during iftar and sehri in Ramzan and during Pitra Paksh has already deviated from the traditional menu for these rituals.

With both, Muslims and Hindus, becoming increasingly health conscious, the traditional food prepared with oodles of fat and spices is being taken off the menu.

"The younger generations in particular want to avoid fried and spicy food during iftar. They prefer sandwiches, soups and salads instead of various meat dishes like "korma", "kebab" and "biryani". Though we certainly do not favour this change, we have to ultimately bow to the wishes of our children," says Mrs Shamim Khan, a housewife.

Shamim Khan is the mother of three children — two daughters and one son — and all of them refuse to savour delicacies like "sheermal", "sewaiyan", "chicken tikka" and "mutton pulao" that come with a high calorie count.

"We prefer light food that is nutritious as well as tasty. Ramzan is a period of abstinence and what is the point of savoring rich delicacies during this period," argues Rubina, Shamim’s daughter.

The spread during the Iftar parties hosted during Ramzan have also changed over the years. "It is interesting to note that several Muslims are turning vegetarian and demand vegetarian food for Iftar. This year, we have increased the number of vegetarian dishes on the Iftar menu and these include ‘dahi pakori’, chhola-batura, idli-sambhar, fruit salads, sandwiches and clear soups and juices," says P.C. Joshi, a well-known caterer in Lucknow.

Meanwhile, the tradition of offering meals to Brahmins during Pitra Paksh has also undergone a sea change.

Instead of ghee-dripping puris, accompanied by an array of spicy vegetables and topped with delicious ‘kheer’, the Brahmins guests who perform ‘puja’ during Pitra Paksh are now opting for snacks and fast foods.

"This year, I was shocked when the Brahmin priests said that they would prefer sandwiches or burgers, even pizza, instead of the tradition puri-sabzi. I had not choice but to comply with their request," says Aavishkar Tiwari, a businessman.

The Brahmin priests, on the other hand, reason that they have to visit several homes to perform "shraddha" during the period of "Pitra Paksh" and are, therefore, opting for safer and lighter food.

"We cannot keep stuffing ourselves with puri-sabzi all day long. If we get sandwiches and burgers, we can carry them back home. Besides, this is lighter on the stomach too. After all, traditions must change with the times," says Acharya Preetam Awasthi, a Brahmin priest.