The countdown has begun and everyone can’t stop talking about it. Jashn-e-Rekhta – a celebration of the Urdu language in all its hues is here! The festival has been one of the most awaited events of the year and why shouldn’t it be? It has something for everyone. The cultural extravaganza is not just about the Urdu language, it’s much more – be it cinema, music, books, FOOD(!), artefacts – Jashn-e-Rekhta caters to the taste of everyone.
Jashn-e-Rekhta rooted itself in the consciousness of the city in 2013 with its first edition under the aegis of the Rekhta Foundation, an entity dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Urdu. The growing popularity of Jashn-e-Rekhta has made this year more special than the usual. This time the venue has been shifted from IGNCA grounds to Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium to accommodate larger audiences. And as the celebration is growing so is the audience’s appetite, both for Urdu and the traditional cuisines that make these few days unforgettable.
We spoke to Anubhav Sapra, the culinary curator for the festival (and the taste boss from Delhi Food Walks) and this is what he had to say about the food this year –
“The mouth-watering food at Jashn-e-Rekhta is going to be a memory that will make you wish it never gets over. The festival will bring you delicacies from the forgotten but still much loved corners of Delhi. This time, the magic is being transported from Rampur, the home of artists, chefs and poets like Mirza Galib. This unique cuisine has been influenced by everything great that you can think of, from Mughlai to Kashmiri cuisine. All the old world charm of Delhi’s narrow streets and the aroma of heavenly food are going to be at Jashn-e-Rekhta and if you’re not, you’re really missing out.“
A dish that makes its appearance only once a year, Makkhan ke samose, will be here. It is only available for 3 days during Dussehra, so this is, kind of, your only chance. From Avadhi Rumi’s Kitchen to the myriad delicacies of meat from Rampur prepared with secret recipes, find everything here. The Tunday Kebabs of Lucknow are making a guest appearance along with Jhaalmurhi from CR Park. And if you’ve not tried them, ask yourself, have you even lived? To finish off, sweets that melt in your mouth like Adrak ka halwa or the very sinful Ghee ka halwa will be there too. You need to be here and try everything out, all of it, because you’ll never find all these amazing foods in one place again.
The food is calling out to us and we’re heading out to Jashn-e-Rekhta. Are you up for this adventure?
We know you are, so we already have a list of all the entities that will put up their stalls this Rekhta season! Enjoy!
Street Vendors
- Variety Samosa
- Baburam Daulat ki chaat
- Rajeev Bhai Ki Special Omellete
- KB’s Moonglet Chaat
- Jhal Mudi/ Bhel puri
Restaurants/ Caterers
- ILHAM
- Ahadsons Foods
- Shereen Bhavan
- Rampuri Cuisine Caterings
- Lazayaz (for Bihari and Osiya cuisine)
- Rumi’s Kitchen
- Shaam-e-Awadh
- Chaayos
- Tunday Kababi
- Tongue Twisters
- Litti.in
- Netaji Chaat Counter
- Foods of Odisha
- Soups
- Water and Beverages
