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Friday, 16 April 2021

Name Rasgulla, Niladri Bije, And New Year Wishes #RasagolaA2Z

Name - Rasgulla , Rasagola, Rasgolla, Rasogolla, Rosogolla, Roshogulla...

The definition of Name as per the Merriam Webster Dictionary-

Definition of name-

1a: a word or phrase that constitutes the distinctive designation of a person or thing
b: a word or symbol used in logic to designate an entity
2: a descriptive often disparaging epithet
3a: REPUTATION
b: an illustrious record : FAME
c: a person or thing with a reputation
4: FAMILY, CLAN
5: appearance as opposed to reality
6: one referred to by a name

Whenever the name Rasagola / Rasgulla  or any of its myriad spellings/pronunciation comes up, most people instantly think of one eastern state of India and its capital city.

Have you ever wondered how and why is it so? 

That is the top-of-mind recall. People are not aware about the true place of origin- Rasagola is the Sweet Treat of Odisha. 

The misinformation cycle continues.

Very few know the reality about Rasagola name and origin. The word 'Rasagola' exists in 15th Century Odia Ramayana (when Calcutta city where Rasgulla is believed to have been "invented in 1868" did not even exist.) 

Name Rasagola was coined in Odisha that has many desserts, dishes and other words starting with Rasa like Rasakora, Rasabara, Rasabali, Rasakhai, Rasaphena, Rasmalai, Rasagola and many more.

Rasagola still plays an important role in Rath Yatra celebration. Thus, it is a Sweet Yatra.

Rasagola is as old as the Rath Yatra.

There has been constant conditioning, misleading information and propaganda over the past several decades. Thus, even six years ago, when Odisha celebrated the first Rasgulla Day i.e. Rasagola Dibasa online on Niladri Bije that was on July 30, 2015, many were not even aware of Niladri Bije and about Rasagola's association with Odisha! 

Niladri Bije

Odisha first celebrated a day for Rasgulla online in year 2015.

Niladri Bije is the last day of the Ratha Jatra where offering of Rasagola to the deities is being done from several centuries, and it is still a continuing tradition every year.

Even today, many are yet to be informed, be aware, and accept the fact that the Rasagola has its origin in Odisha. 

New Year Wishes

Just like Rasagola and several other facts about Odisha, people do not know about the Odia New Year- Maha Bishuba Sankranti i.e. Pana Sankranti. They are yet to know about the many celebrations at the Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri, Odisha. 

Chhena (cottage-cheese) is used for the preparation of many dishes including the Pana of Pana Sankranti and Rasagola of Niladri Bije that are continuing traditions from centuries. 

People are not aware. News reports and images of new year wishes have not been sharing this information over the years.

Many Politicians and celebrities celebrated the Indian New Year Days virtually. How many actually mentioned/included and wished for Pana Sankranti / Maha Bishuba Sankranti? How many could be spotted in reports like this report?

Some did mention and shared wishes. But, do notice the representation and the stark difference-

Where can you find the pots of Rasagola? "A picture speaks more than a thousand words."

Would have loved to see pots of Rasagola too. Hope to see in the images, posters, and hoardings for the upcoming events and festivals of Odisha like the Rath Yatra and Durga Puja.

In contrast, Rasagola pots can be seen in these similar New Year wish images- 

Requesting media, politicians, celebrities and all to be aware and share facts and ensure correct representation based on proper research, by considering historical evidence and continuing traditions and celebrations.

Requesting media and festival organizers to invite eminent researchers, authors, food-historians etc. in their next Conclave or national-level seminar/conference to discuss about Rasgulla and  #EndRasgullaDebate. Let the truth "win".

Happy New Year! May every day be sweet and special like Rasagola. 

I’m participating in the April #A2ZChallenge #BlogchatterA2Z

N For- New Year, Name, Niladri Bije
I am writing A-Z posts about Rasagola- 26 #RasagolaA2Z posts this April :
This sincere attempt is to share information about Rasagola/Rasgulla.
Rasagola is a part of Odisha's traditional knowledge, continuing tradition, cultural heritage and identity.  
More Rasagola posts here.
This is my fifth #A2Z Challenge, and my last four challenges have been about Odisha, India. 
Are you aware of Rasagola/Rasgulla? Did you know that the Rasgulla originated in Odisha? 
Please do share any information about Rasgulla that you may have and which you feel must be documented and shared so that all are aware.  
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4 comments:

  1. Deepika Sharma16 April 2021 at 16:43

    That is quite a debate and you have been so passionate about it. I had come across your tweet last year and that was the first time a actually began to search about rasgulla. Informative
    Deepika Sharma

    ReplyDelete
  2. SG16 April 2021 at 23:44

    Misinformation is everywhere. For example, every one thinks Sambar is a Tamil Nadu dish. But the truth is it was invented by a chef for a marathi king.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Durga Prasad Dash17 April 2021 at 21:06

    Usually people at the helm of publishing houses and media houses create such misinformation mischiefs. When a lie is repeated often it appears as truth. Let us hope finally the truth triumphs.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Chinmayee Gayatree Sahu21 April 2021 at 18:26

    People believe what they constantly see. As you said top of mind recall and sadly, we have not been strong enough to advocate that rightly belongs to us! Great writing as always!

    ReplyDelete

Your words mean a lot to me.