Chingari, the legendary director Kalpana Lajmi's 2006 masterpiece, reinvented the romantic genre. Based on the novel The Prostitute and the Postman by Bhupen Hazarika, Chingari was replete with seductive dances and melodies with alluring lyrics. The strains of Bollywood euphonies echoed around the opulently ornamented restaurant, its décor distinctly South Asian. Alas, the luxurious setting of Chingari the restaurant sharply contrasts with the tragic theme of its namesake, the film. The leading actress, Bollywood's Sushmita Sen played the part of the prostitute, Basanti, who rose from the poverty of a humble peasant family to the indignity of a life as a temple dancing girl. The glamorous Sushmita Sen in real life, of course, is famous for being crowned Miss Universe in 1994. The depraved village priest of the Hindu goddess Kali, Bhuvan Panda, played by Mithun Chakraborty, lusted after supposedly sinful Basanti and her illegitimate daughter Titali. When Basanti fell for the poor postman Chandan, played by Anuj Sawhney, the dejected priest Bhuvan Panda was determined to take his revenge on the prostitute who spurned his advances. Worse was to come. The melodramatic scenes so characteristic of Bollywood came into full play. And, just as Indian cinema flourished so did South Asian cuisine. Bhuvan Panda was consumed with Schadenfreunde, a most virulent case of sadomasochism. Chingari ended in tragedy — courtesan, or call girl to be precise, went back to prostitution after vengeful Bhuvan Panda butchered her postman lover on the altar. Bathos is key to deciphering Bollywood. Burlesque or mock-heroic melodrama appeals to the audiences' emotions. Pathos, too, plays a part in South Asian gastronomic delights. Sycophants surrounded Queen Tiye at Chingari, literally “spark”. She nibbled the samosa crusty pastry shell and pronounced the savoury filling of spiced potatoes, onions, peas, and coriander “delicious”. And, much to her delight we all followed suit. Tandoori lamb chops, tender and well charred, were my favourite dish of the evening, though. Then in a fit of uncharacteristic big talk, the usually self-effacing Platinum Blonde claimed her share of credit for opting for an Indian meal. “The fastidious are unfortunate; nothing satisfies them,” she quoted the French poet Jean de La Fontaine and cast an impetuous glance at Queen Tiye. Not one to let their guard down, Queen Tiye gave Platinum Blonde an earful of the world of Indian gastronomical delights according to the Queen. In everything she acts there is a moment of sheer genius. The conversation drifted once again from food to film. I sipped my coriander-laced lassi even as Platinum Blonde gulped down her sweetened mango lassi. Redhead opted for mint salted lassi instead. Queen Tiye declined to have the yogurt-based drink. “Lassi with turmeric is a folk remedy for gastroenteritis”. “Bollywood actors and actresses are often more lauded abroad than in their native India,” I ventured. Tamarind chutney, garlic and coriander naan, cardamom and saffron Basmati rice made the rounds. Stone ground whole-grain unleavened rhoti and its thinner version chapati followed. And, so did the yeast-leavened Tandoori naan. “A nice blend of lovelorn lyrics soothes the soul,” smiled the Maitre d'. The waiter's remark was met with gales of laughter from Platinum Blonde and Redhead that punctuated our otherwise sober conversation. Chingari Grand Nile Tower Garden City
