The Feast- In celebration of being alive

A party is on cards. The date has been finialised. A theme has been set. The guest have been invited. 

So what are we celebrating, you may ask. Well, what better than the occasion of life! And hence the theme of the party 'The joy of being alive'. The party is going to take place in a huge colonial house in the Dagshai cantonment. The gathering is cosy and comprising of about 12 people. 

Let me tell you more about my party. 

Winters are on the verge and the mountain wind is enveloped in the sweet fragrance of the greenest grass and loveliest songs. 

Invites were sent written on parchment with a quill, informing the guests about the venue, theme, date and time, setting the mood for the occasion. In accordance with my theme, celebrating life, a lunch instead of a dinner was planned as the intent was to let the guests savour the food and surroundings to the maximum. 

The beautiful house has a blooming garden. A table is set in a corner. It has been stocked well with lemonade and other refreshing drinks as well as a large pitcher of cool water of the mountains, in its purest form, has been put for the guests to help themselves to. 

Jute mats and durries have been placed at various places in the garden and cushions with gay covers are scattered for comfortable seating. The blooming garden has lent the breeze a heady fragrance of a pot-pourri and there is a distinct freshness that the guests are greeted with as soon as they come in. The mood is chirpy thanks to the sunny afternoon which is deliciously warm.

After everyone has arrived and caught up with what is keeping them busy, it is time for the feast that has been prepared for relishing and celebrating life in its every possible hue. I firmly believe in the adage 'Live life king size'. So all the guests are ushered in to the dining space that has a low seating arrangement around a rectangular table.  

As they sit the lids are taken off the dishes.There is the family favourite Dal Bukhara as well as Paneer Darbari. The contrasting colours and the appetising fragrances enamour the senses alike. Next to come off is the lid of the huge haandi holding the aromatic Vegetable Biryani. On the other side of this is Kolhapuri Mutton. The mutton preparation is accompanied by the huge favourite Butter Chicken as well as the delicate Murg Methi

No Indian meal is complete without a large dollop of the traditional  achaars and chutneys. So is our table graced with the presence of a delightful Mango  and Jeera Chutney, Tomato Chilli Chutney and a Tamarind and Date Chutney. For the picky eaters aka the small children who everywhere will invariably complain about high spice quotient in the dishes, there is a popular and delicious Strawberry and Mint Conserve is being kept handy.

Hot rotis made from the Multi grain Aashirvaad Atta are also served as they go very well with the dishes that have been prepared courtesy Kitchen of India from ITC. 

After the guests have feasted using all their senses on this exploration of being alive and celebrating life, it is again time to shift the party to the huge living room where after a while hot Jodhpuri Moong Dal Halwa is served in silver bowls with delicate spoons.

Later on as the guests get ready to leave they are gifted the lovely Gourmet Halwa Gift packs bearing the  regal delights of our country.

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