From Mango Mischief to Chutney Anthems: Karan Puri's Tales Between Taste Revives Food's Forgotten Magic in Indian Folklore

Updated: December 28, 2025 21:31

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In Karan Puri's latest short-story collection, Tales Between Taste, everyday Indian foods like mangoes, chapatis and chutneys become portals to nostalgia, weaving memory, emotion and gentle magic across 10 evocative tales. Published by TreeShade Books at Rs 295, this anthology transports readers to eras of shared meals and oral traditions, available now in stores online and offline.

Karan Puri's Tales Between Taste arrives as a timely literary delight, capturing the soul of Indian kitchens where food transcends mere sustenance to embody stories of resilience, belonging and cultural continuity. Drawing from childhood recollections and folklore, the book features 10 interconnected narratives that blend fable, memoir and subtle enchantment. Each tale positions ingredients and rituals as central characters, evoking the warmth of close-knit communities and fading traditions in a fast-paced world.

Puri masterfully illustrates how a simple mango sparks orchard rivalries and first friendships, while a chapati carries secret messages across villages, symbolizing quiet defiance and heritage. The author shares that food, for him, wraps memory, emotion and culture into every bite, a realization that shaped this rhythmic interplay of humour and melancholy. Readers journey through royal mango battles, elephant bonds and a chutney song morphing into a diasporic anthem, all rooted in authentic Indian experiences.

These stories highlight broader themes: household grocery quarrels reflect class tensions and family dynamics, while a cherished recipe bridges old homelands with new lives. Grinding stones, festive dining and everyday practices emerge as anchors of identity, reminding us of oral storytelling's power amid modern disconnection.

Key Highlights from Tales Between Taste

Mangoes as Summer Portals: Ordinary fruit ignites rivalries in royal orchards and sweet bonds of youthful discovery, capturing endless afternoons.
Chapatis of Resilience: Flatbread hides village messages, embodying tradition and subtle rebellion in divided communities.
Chutney's Diasporic Song: A humble recipe evolves into an anthem, linking generations across continents and lost roots.
Grocery Quarrels Unveiled: Everyday spats mirror societal hierarchies, blending domestic drama with cultural critique.
Kitchen Tools as Symbols: Grinding stones and rituals stand for unbroken identity amid change and migration.

This collection not only rekindles nostalgia but invites reflection on how flavours preserve our shared human tapestry. Priced accessibly, it appeals to food lovers, storytellers and those seeking cultural depth in bite-sized magic.

Sources: The Week, Hindustan Times, PTI News

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