Check Out the Badaga and Irula Cuisines of Nilgiris

• BY TUSHAR
• 21/Feb/2024
• Comments (1.5k)

Embark on a mesmerizing journey through the undulating landscapes of the Nilgiris, where each vista unfolds breathtaking experiences that etch themselves into your memory. Enveloped in mist, the lush Nilgiris mirror the delicate beauty of Neelakurinji flowers, creating a tapestry of nature's wonders. Renowned for its biodiversity, this South Indian gem is a cultural mosaic, home to indigenous communities like the Badaga and Irula tribes. Delight your taste buds with the unique cuisine that reflects the rich tapestry of Nilgiris’ culture. The Badagas, the largest tribal group, boast a history of agricultural prowess, while the Irulas, with their pastoral lifestyle, are famed as snake catchers and rat busters. Explore the Nilgiris – where nature and culture converge in a symphony of uniqueness.

Discover the allure of Mudumalai National Park, a captivating gem in the Nilgiris districts of Tamil Nadu, renowned for its rich wildlife. Nestled in the northwestern part of the Nilgiris Mountains, Mudumalai, translating to "ancient hill" in Tamil promises an enchanting experience. Immerse yourself in a range of enthralling activities, from jeep and elephant safaris to bird watching, camping, trekking, and visits to the Moyar River and tribal villages. Extend your adventure by exploring the nearby Tourist Attractions of Mudumalai in Ooty and Coonoor, where the true essence of a visionary treat unfolds.

Enhance your wildlife expedition with a culinary adventure, savoring the delectable cuisine of the Badagas and Irulas in the heart of the Nilgiris. Prepare your taste buds for an exploration of finger-licking delights unique to this region. To fully appreciate their culinary offerings, it's essential to understand the significance of bamboo in Nilgiri cuisine, abundant on the hills. Indulge in mouthwatering dishes such as Ottakudi Udhak, a curry featuring bamboo shoots, and Ottakudi Gassu Poriyal, a delectable creation using tender, semi-crunchy bamboo shoots harvested from the wild during summer and early monsoon. Immerse yourself in the rich flavours and culinary traditions that make the Nilgiris a gastronomic delight.

The Irula community, predominantly situated in the southern states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, is renowned for its mastery in snake and rat-catching, as well as a deep-rooted connection to agriculture. Their culinary traditions showcase a blend of local ingredients and traditional cooking methods, with a focus on forest produce like tubers, wild greens, and millets.

Explore their palate-pleasing dishes, including kattu saadham (mixed millet rice), keerai masiyal (mashed greens), and varagu upma (millet semolina). Traditionally engaged in hunting and gathering, many Irulas venture into the nearby forests and scrublands to forage for wild and seasonal fruits, tubers, greens, herbs, and a variety of small animals.

Indulge in unique experiences with the nadhelli pazham, also known as the lipstick fruit, temporarily turning your teeth and lips bright red, or the maatu kalimulaam, leaving a pleasant aftertaste upon drinking water. For a filling pre-ride or hike delicacy, consider the kozhi kalimulaam, known for its satiating qualities. Delve into the diverse culinary world of the Irula community, where each dish tells a tale of their unique lifestyle and connection to the land.

In Badaga community cooking is an art practiced in traditional mud vessels over mud fireplaces. Authentic Badaga dishes, infused with unique flavors, include avarai gaasu udhakka (beans with potato curry), ottu kudi udhakka (bamboo shoot curry), kappu koi udhakka (chicken curry), and aadu baadu udhakka (mutton curry).

What sets Badaga cuisine apart is the use of special dark brown-colored masalas - badaguru maasu hudi for meat and hatti mass hudi for vegetarian recipes. These dishes are typically served with rice, pothittu (wheat pancakes), and various preparations of millet balls. Indulge your sweet tooth with thuppadhittu, a fluffy pancake filled with spices and mashed bananas.

A typical Badaga hittu (meal) is a feast for the senses, featuring an assorted platter of these delectable dishes. Millets like samai (little millet), finger millet, and foxtail millet, along with seasonal vegetables, take centre stage in traditional Badaga cuisine, thriving in the mountainous Nilgiris climate. Animals are raised for milk, and ghee and butter are integral components of their flavorful dishes.

Whether you opt for a Veg Thalli with rice and avarai uthakka or the non-veg option featuring kappu koi udhaka and aadu baadu udhaka, each meal is a symphony of hand-ground spices. Experience the richness of Badaga cuisine, where the art of cooking is a cherished cultural heritage, and every dish tells a story of the region's bountiful ingredients and culinary mastery.