I went to my first Onam Sadhya today. I’ve never been a part of this beautiful festival before, and I was so grateful to be invited by my friend from Kerala (and her honorary Mallu fiancé). It was also my first time eating a whole meal of this sort (rice, sambhar, dal, avial, etc) with no dishes (just a faux banana leaf for a plate) and no cutlery. I’ve had plenty of experiencing eating bread-based meals with my hands but I’ve always used cutlery for rice-based meals. Despite the unfamiliarity of the way of eating, one of my long standing theories was reinforced, i.e. that flavours and experience are enhanced when there is direct contact between hand and mouth. I think I will consciously try to eat more meals without cutlery from now on, for the pure joy of immersing myself in the flavours and textures and directness of it all.

10/10 experience, already looking forward to next year (with or without an invitation, lol).