The booking queries keep Manzilat Fatima’s phone buzzing non-stop ahead of Durga Puja. Each hour, there are at least 30-40 messages accompanied by frequent calls, all requesting for one slot during pujo at Manzilat’s. The great-great-granddaughter of Wajid Ali Shah and daughter of Dr. Kaukub Qudr Meerza, Manzilat Fatima is a popular home chef, who serves Awadhi cuisine at rooftop diner in her Kasba home. My Kolkata spoke to Manzilat about how she plans to spend Durga Puja, her sweet memories and more.
Manzilat spent her childhood in Aligarh and then moved to Kolkata to pursue a Master’s in English from Calcutta University, so she missed out on Durga Puja celebrations during her schooling years. “Although I was born in Kolkata, I used to be in Aligarh for my schooling and graduation so I could never enjoy Durga Puja as such in my growing years. I wish I could go out with friends wearing that lal paar sada sari and take part in singing. I regret that! However, if I was in Kolkata during Durga Puja, I would go out with my family to see the protima and visit the melas. That’s the childhood memory I have of Durga Puja.”
Manzilat remembers shopping for Tangail saris from exhibitions and sales, with her mother-in-law TT Archives
Once Manzilat settled down in Kolkata, she often went pandal hopping with family. Taking full advantage of the Durga Puja sale, she went shopping for clothes during pujo. “My mother-in-law and I made it a point to shop for Tangail saris during Durga Puja. This is the time when you get fabulous collections and offers.”
In the last few years, with her restaurant gaining popularity, she has hardly had a chance to step out. She finds joy in keeping busy in the kitchen during pujo. “Now I am very busy cleaning and cooking for my guests at Manzilat’s. I might not be able to go anywhere during Durga Puja and enjoy it with friends and family, but it gives me immense pleasure to see how people make me and my food a part of their celebrations.” A lot of calls come to her for biryani and other dishes during Ramazan, but “it is a special joy” when people want to have Awadhi food, especially from her kitchen, during Puja.
This year, they are already sold out. “People are continuously calling for reservations, and I feel extremely bad refusing but we are completely full.”
L-R: Shahi Rezala and Nawabi Chaap, and Mutton Yakhni Pulao at Manzilat’s
So what’s special for Durga Puja at Manzilat’s? The chef says that since the usual menu at Manzilat’s is what guests come for, she has not ventured into a pujo special menu. However, there are four new additions, all mutton dishes. “This time I am doing Mutton Pasanda, Mutton Nehari, Mutton Chap and Rezala,” she says, adding that these are usually the items patrons ask about so for pujo she “didn’t want to say that we don’t have it.”
Manzilat’s is sold out until the first week of November and no reservations are available; the restaurant will be closed for Navamai and Dashami.
