Dalit Kitchen and Food Culture has been at the top of our plates and lives. It is not just about eating; it is who we are and where we come from. Amongst cultures being debated India, perhaps the world over the most hotly is that of the Dalit communities. What do they eat? Well, not so many people do know about it. A writer wants to change this very notion.
He has also brought out a book titled “Dalit Kitchen of Marathwada.” In this volume, he writes about the food of Dalits in Maharashtra. There are perhaps plenty more that he wishes to share through their stories and their food culture.

Shah Patole originates from a small village called Khambgaon. It was here that he started searching for food that his people consumed. In the stories that newspapers and cookbooks write of food, his food was not accounted for. He desired to know what his ancestors ate, how they cooked. This journey made him understand his identity as a Dalit.
He shares some recipes and stories about Dalit food in his book. He says it is rich and diverse, though many are not aware of it. Food is one of the very important things to him, particularly in his village. It unites people. People share meals and stories while eating. In this way, they connect with themselves and their culture.
In this way, food in the Dalit culture is very important.
Food is not a meal; it is to love and to respect. Families gather to prepare and dine together. This is highly customary amongst Dalit communities. Cooking is a matter of women’s business; women hold importance in keeping the traditions alive of the community.

Shah talks about one specific dish called ‘Harbharyachi Bhaji.’ This is a common dish from Maharashtra, made with young chickpea leaves, soft. They pick the young leaves and then make it with spices as a dish. This is really simple but very tasty. And from this dish, one could see how a Dalit person would use all those local ingredients to create great food.
According to Shah, many people believe that Dalit food is cheap and not very tasty. He thinks this thought is wrong. Dalit food is full of flavors and stories. It reveals the lives of the people who prepare it. They use what they have and make the best out of it. This is a skill passed down through generations.
Life in the Dalit Communities
Most Dalits face social exclusion and other sorts of discrimination. Of course, this also speaks of their food culture. People don’t understand the situation that prevails among the Dalit communities. So, stereotypes emerge regarding their food.
Shah talks about how members of the superior castes generally have no idea what people from lower castes or Dalits eat. People do not visit the homes of Dalits. That is how food becomes a parameter for social status. When people do not share meals across lines of caste, that gap in understanding builds up lopsided respect.

He believes that one can share food stories to bridge this gap. His only desire is that people should learn and feel that food connects them together instead of feeling as something that divides and separates people.
Learning from Each Other
For every different family he visits, he learns a variety of ways to cook and a recipe. He meets Anjan, who shares his family’s recipes, and Ajay, where his food is a story of his family. Even his food is unique because it portrays his life story through local ingredients and conventional preparation methods.
During his visit, Shah noticed that cooking is not just about food: it’s the love and care put into making it. It’s that love that makes Dalit food unique and precious.
This is what Shah likes many people to know about. Through these stories, he would love others motivated who would appreciate Dalit food and culture. He thinks that, above background, people can learn something from one another.

Conclusion: A Call for Respect and Understanding
Shah Patole’s work is highly relevant because he is trying to alter the way people perceive Dalit food. And so instead of trying to capture the food, he tries to encompass identities into that. It connects us to our culture and history. One can also learn about people making it by learning about Dalit food.
Food should never, ever cause divisions. It should unite. Shah’s story reminds me that every one of us has stories to tell. We should respect and celebrate each other’s food cultures. This is how we can create a more inclusive society.
Let’s remember that every single dish we see has a story. A dish is a moment of connection, so let’s open our hearts and minds to that tapestry of flavors and traditions creating our world.