Storybook Plan

Resources: VedicFeed, Wikipedia, WisdomLib, Masterchefs of Lore, Recipe for Aviyal, paper copy of the Mahabharata as re-told by William Buck, Scroll, Bheem Ka Laddu Recipe, Times of India, 

Stories:

(these are the same stories as in the previous storybook post, but I have gone though and done more research on the foods that could be paired with each story)

1. Entering the Court at Virata. 

    While I don't this this story has a specific recipe to go with it, I could pair it with a recipe for pistaudana (rice with minced meat), which is a food referenced at other points in the Mahabharata. I chose this recipe in particular since it seems to have been reserved for Brahmins, and since the Pandava are entering a royal court, this seems fitting!

2. Bhima Fighting Jimuta. 

    This is one of Bhima's primary stories in the Virata Parva (at least in the version that I have been reading). This could be paired with a recipe for Bheem Ka Laddu, a sweet that is mentioned in the Mahabharata as being the source of Bhima's strength. This would go well in a story in which he has to wrestle!

3. Creation of Aviyal. 

    This story from the Virata Parva already has mention of a food and also a sort-of recipe (amounts are not clarified- one of the ingredients in simply "a drumstick") in it! I think it would be fun to do a re-telling of this story and try to make aviyal myself! (I'm going to try to make versions of all of these recipes myself, but aviyal sounds especially tasty!)

Storytelling Thoughts: 

    The primary way that these stories will be connected will be with Bhima as the story teller. I think it will be interesting to also include stories from the Virata Parva in which he is not the primary character, but tell it from his perspective. There will be an element of overarching storyline in that all of the stories will be drawn from the Virata Parva. I would like to start the Storybook with the Pandava entering the court at Virata and have it end with them leaving. 

Main Ideas/Messages: 

    One of the primary reasons I chose to do the "cooking" Storybook instead of my other was that I realized I could talk about all of the other things that I found interesting within the context of Bhima's kitchen. I would like to talk about the concept of motherhood and what extremes mothers are willing to go to for their children, free will and whether or not characters have it, and the concept of villainy (does it even exist?). I hope the readers will be able to pick up on all of these messages while also being inspired to embark on some culinary adventures in their own kitchens!

Topic Research: In Bhima's Kitchen

Story #1: Pandava Pravesaparva

Resource: VedicFeed, Wikipedia

    This part of the Virata Parva tells the story of how the Pandavas first enter the royal court of Virata. While Bhima is not necessarily the primary character in this story, if the project is going to center on Bhima's time in Virata, this seems like a natural place to start! This story could include Bhima's reactions to the choices that his brothers make for the positions that they will occupy in court, as well as his thoughts on the course of events that has made him have to be in Virata. 

Story #2: Samayaplana Parva

Resource: VedicFeed, WisdomLib

    This was one of the stories in the Virata Parva where Bhima really got the chance to shine. While Bhima is not necessarily cooking in this particular story, it would be possible to start it with Bhima in the midst of cooking some delicacy and then being summoned to fight Jimuta. How does Bhima feel about having to revert his role back to his fighting self? 

Story #3: Creation of Aviyal

Resource: Masterchefs of Lore, Recipe for Aviyal

    In this story, there are surprise guests at the court in Virata, and Bhima is asked to make a feast. Caught off guard, he is forced to make one dish with only the ingredients on hand- this dish becoming known as Aviyal! I would really like to include a recipe with each of my blog posts, and this story already had one built in! It seems perfect for this cold weather too....

(Bhima Cooking. Source: Snappy Goat)

Topic Brainstorm

1. The Mothers of the Mahabharata

    As I mentioned in one of my previous blog posts, I have always been particularly interested in Gandhari's story. This is largely because I always find it interesting to think about what actions become re-defined as "reasonable" when done in the name of protecting children. I have also been pleasantly surprised by how large a role mothers have played in the versions of the Mahabharata that I have read/watched. I think that in stories, too often. mothers act simply to give birth to the hero, and then play no further role. The fact that mothers have a huge impact on the development of their children is given no heed. I think it would be interesting to dive even further into the stories of the mothers of the Mahabharata- delving deeper into their thoughts and what motivates them.

Link: Ink and Post

(A Rendering of Kunti from the Tropenmuseum. Source: Wikimedia)

2. The Food of the Mahabharata

    This idea came largely from a hobby that I have recently been delving into. Over winter break, I got really into making Moroccan food. My pantry has since become stuffed with preserved lemons, ageing butter, and spice concoctions. I have really gotten into expanding my palate and trying new things. Therefore, when I saw a "food" post in the "Readings and Resources" page, I was instantly intrigued. What new flavors might I find within the pages of the Mahabharata? Could the stories from the Mahabharata be told from the perspectives of a chef?

Link: Readings and Resources

3. The Villains of the Mahabharata 

    Much like I discussed in my author's note for the interpretation of "Goblin City," I have always wondered about the motivations behind villains of stories. Too often, I have found that the "bad guy" in a tale is far to flat to be believable. I think it is so much more interesting when I can understand what is driving a character. While I think it is hard to point to one traditional "villain" within that Mahabharata, there are certainly characters who do acts that I would describe as villainous in nature. What made them choose do do such things?

Link: Medium

4. Free Will vs Determinism in the Mahabharata

    Then there is the age-old question- did they even have the luxury of choosing? How does it change the audience's perception of a character and their actions if the story is told through a deterministic lens vs one of free will? Here, I think it would be most interesting to take a couple of notable scenes from within the Mahabharata and do two retellings of them, one as if the character has free will, and another as if the character does not. 

Link: Boloji