Cooking up Diversity: Culinary Narratives in Indian Children’s Literature

Nabeela Musthafa^1* , Preeti Navaneeth² & Rona Reesa Kurian^3
1 Research Scholar, National Institute of Technology, Calicut. *Corresponding author.
²Assistant Professor, National Institute of Technology, Calicut.
³Research Scholar, National Institute of Technology, Calicut.

^{Rupkatha Journal, Vol. 16, Issue 3, 2024. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v16n3.09g
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Abstract

Indian culture was initially introduced into children’s literature predominantly through the use of mythology and folklore. These stories often had a didactic element attached to them, which at times compromised on the ‘fun’ or ‘entertainment’ aspect of stories. However, in recent times, certain publishing houses have ventured to mitigate this gap by coming up with stories that are more engaging and relatable to children and, at the same time, reflect Indian culture and values. Food, serving as a cultural symbol and representative of India’s vast and diverse landscape, acts as a mediational signifier in food-based children’s stories. This study examines how selected Indian children’s literature uses culinary narratives to depict regional culture and gender performativity, serving as a form of resistance against colonial influence and Western capitalist expansion through the medium of children’s literature. Drawing on Edward Said’s notion that resistance is not just a reaction to colonialism but an alternative way of perceiving human history, this paper analyses works such as Kozhukatta (2017), Thukpa for All (2018), Thatha’s Pumpkin (2020), Paati’s Rasam (2021), and My Grandmother Can’t Cook (2023). Through this analysis, the paper sheds light on the pivotal role of culinary narratives in promoting cultural diversity, fostering tolerance, and nurturing a sense of inclusivity among young readers.

Keywords: Indian Children’s literature, Culinary narratives, Culture, Diversity, Post-colonialism, Gender.