There are certain dishes,
we don't eat, but experience,
flavors, that stimulate senses,
visual, smell, and taste buds...
For, these million receptors,
waiting to capture the molecules,
sending signals, in olfactory systems,
stimulating, hippocampus & amygdala
So I looked, at these dark-brown desserts,
being categorized, as traditional pitha,
a sweet pancake, from rice & jaggery,
sprinkled with servings of sesame seeds.
Every bite, created magical moments,
transporting me back, to childhood years,
where these treats, I would savor,
in my visits, to grandparent's homes.
Emotions flooded, I teared up,
as I realized, how much I have lost,
those carefree days, filled with wonder,
and foods, symbols of close connections.
But now, everything commercialized,
losing their meanings, even qualities,
still we seek, those authentic flavors,
due to special ingredients or emotions.
Arisa Pitha...
I still do remember,
the joy of my first exposure,
as an offering, in festive seasons,
and I developed, a strong attachment.
And years passed, I had forgotten,
until now, when I encountered,
this taste of nostalgia!!
* Olfactory system: Nervous system for sense of smell
* Amygdala: Brain's area for emotional learning
* Hippocampus: Brain's area for memory
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