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'Alberto has taken to Bengali food in a
big way'

Aparajita Saha

With two days left for Jhumpa Lahiri's wedding to Time journalist Alberto Vourvoulias-Bush, Calcutta's newspapers are anxiously attempting to garner as many details as they can about the event.

No one has been left out in the media's search for wedding trivia: maternal uncles and aunts, paternal uncles and aunts, distant family members, friends and domestic help... everyone who could have a tidbit of information has been roped into the search for newsworthy copy.

A local paper has said the wedding menu will include bhaat (plain rice), pulao, fish fry, luchi (puri), maacher (fish) curry, manghso (meat) and mishti (sweet). The report also said the meal would be served both in the buffet and seated styles.

Mallika Sanyal, Jhumpa's maternal aunt, says, "I am not in a position to divulge the details of the wedding menu as Jhumpa is very particular that it (the wedding) is not turned into a media event. All I can say is that the menu contains traditional Bengali food and a few additional items as well. The wedding will be in the Hindu style and Jhumpa will wear a red Banarasi sari for the occasion."

Her husband Tapan Sanyal, an editor in publishing company Naya Udyog, adds, "We owe it to Jhumpa to not say anything to the media. We're all making an effort to give her the kind of private wedding she wants. Please don't ask me anything about it."

But he opens up enthusiastically when asked to comment on his American bhagne (Bengali for niece's husband). "Alberto is a very lively man and mixes around freely with all us. He's taking a great interest in Bengali culture, he seems to be keen to be a part of it. He keeps asking me the meanings of certain terms and the significance of rituals. He was fascinated when I told him about the ritual of boubhaat (a Bengali custom where the newly-wedded bride feeds her in-laws and husband and they, in turn, feed her).

"I have advised Alberto to learn the Bengali language. After all, it's the language of Rabindranath Tagore, one of the greatest literary figures in the world. He has already picked up a smattering consisting of greetings like Kamon aachen (How are you), Aami bhalo aachi (I am fine), Pore dekha hobe (We will meet later). He thinks our language sounds very sweet."

Mallika Sanyal intervenes, "Alberto and Jhumpa have been all over Calcutta visiting places like Belur Math (Swami Vivekananda's ashram), Chidya Ghar (zoological gardens), Dakhineshwar, Jorasanko (the place where Rabindranath Tagore stayed) and Victoria Memorial. They are enjoying the city."

Speaking with great pride, she adds, "Alberto has taken to Bengali food in a big way. He particularly relishes luchi-torkari (puri-sabzi), machcher jhol (a typical Bengali fish preparation) and nalen gurer sandesh (a Bengali sweet)."

Jhumpa's uncle says, "His family told me that the food they eat (in the US) is very drab. They all love Calcutta and say it is kicking and alive."

Alberto is accompanied by his father, brother, sister, niece and friends. The wedding will be followed by a reception hosted by the groom's family on January 17 at an undisclosed hotel in south Calcutta.

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