Chennai’s Obscene Obsession With Biryani - A Threat To Traditional Culinary Heritage

I recently moved to the Greater Chennai after a period of 4 years. My second first impression of the city was one of uneasiness. Each day, a huge chunk of people migrate to the city from different parts of the country. Skyscrapers are sprouting up every nook and corner, obscuring the green carpet of the town. People are seemingly busy round the clock to make both their ends meet. Most top companies operate 24x7 keeping the city life busy and active. The city is undoubtedly bustling with so much energy, but something that caught my eyes raised so many questions – is it heading the right direction?
I was commuting to office in a public transport on a sunny day, and I happen to secure a window seat that allowed me to get a perfect view of the city. As the journey progressed, I couldn’t help but notice multitude of restaurants on the roadside. Most of them sell nothing but Biryani. A city is identified with what it provides to the residents, and Biryani has become an inevitable identity to Chennai. What was once an occasional indulgence has now become a stable diet to thousands of people. This transition is without a doubt an unhealthy phenomenon that threatens to overshadow other culinary practices and healthy dietary habits, which were integral part of Chennai’s heritage. But that’s not all, it paves the way for fostering an inferior perception of the traditional diet that we once cherished.

"While there is nothing wrong to fill our stomach with what we love and enjoy, we are gradually conditioning our taste buds and sensory receptors to one specific taste that will dominate our memories and influence the characteristics we pass on to our next generation."

Does Chennai have nothing else to offer besides this overhyped super food? Within a limit of 5 KM of travel, I could spot nearly over 25 Biryani shops. That’s quite a huge number. They say, “Familiarity breeds contempt” – but in the case of this overrated food, the obsession seems to be swelling in great proportion each passing day. The blend of spices and the tantalizing aroma stimulate the taste buds, creating an unquenchable craving.
In corporate culture, at events, festivals, celebrations, and parties, Biryani holds a special place, and it’s the single most commonly preferred dish. Most of the office-goers keep it a ritual to consume it at least once a week. Families prefer dining out at signature Biryani restaurants on weekends, fueling its demand to all time high.
While there is nothing wrong to fill our stomach with what we love and enjoy, we are gradually conditioning our taste buds and sensory receptors to one specific taste that will dominate our memories and influence the characteristics we pass on to our next generation. Because they inherit all the qualities and health which are by-products of our own choices.
Biryani is undoubtedly a special dish, but I only wish that this is not the only special food for all!