A Cultural and Gastronomic Treasure of Kolkata: The Illish/Hilsa Fish

A city that beats to the beat of history, culture, and an unshakeable devotion to one specific delicacy—the Illish, also known as the Hilsa fish—is located in the easternmost section of India. The rich cultural past and culinary prowess of Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, are two things that the city takes great pleasure in. None of the myriad flavours that make up Kolkata's culinary scene are as beloved as the Illish. This thin, silver fish is more than simply a dish; it is a centrepiece of its own festival and a crucial component of Bengali culture. Join us as we explore the significance of Illish to this thriving metropolis as we go through Kolkata's meandering streets. So, let's dive in.

What is the fish obsession in Kolkata?

The city of Kolkata thrives on its food. Kolkata residents have an unequalled appreciation for flavours, which can be found in everything from simple snacks to grandiose feasts. But the Illish fish occupies a special place in this gastronomic tapestry. Its appeal is based on emotion linked with it rather than just taste.

 

 

The Sweet Taste of the Fish

Researchers have shown that the flavour of fish depends on their diet and feeding habits. The fish's flavour is influenced by the ecosystem in which it lives. It retains the flavour of its environment. It is thought that the hilsa sub-stocks mostly found in the Padma River have finer tastes than those found in the Godavari River basin. Many people consider the Hilsa found in freshwater regions to be tastier than the Hilsa found near the sea. According to the legend surrounding Hilsa's sweetness, it boasts the finest fusion of river and sea tastes and has swum the furthest upstream. 

The Hilsa live in the ocean for the majority of their lives, but during the rainy season, they relocate closer to the estuary. Here, the rivers of Indian Bangladesh converge into the Bay of Bengal. The fish's upward voyage increases the sweetness while retaining the salty flavour of the seawater. A combination of sweet and salty flavours emerges as a result, making Hilsa one of the most sought-after products on the market. 

 

The Founding Areas & craziness of the Illish season

Eastern India's freshwaters are home to hilsa fish. The Padma-Meghna-Jamuna delta, which empties into the Bay of Bengal and the Meghna (lower Brahmaputra), Jamuna, and Rupnarayan rivers, as well as the Ganges, Mahanadi, Chilka Lake, Narmada, and Godavari rivers in India, are famous for producing Hilsa fish, while the Indus River in Pakistan provides the fish. Compared to their saltwater counterparts, freshwater fish are said to be more flavorful. Some people may find it challenging to chew the fish's highly sharp, tough bones.

 

Often referred to as Hilsa, it is a common dish in South Asia, the Middle East, and particularly among Bengalis. This fish serves as Bangladesh's national dish. A common recipe using mustard seed or oil is Bengali fish curry. Additionally, it is well known around the world and exported from India, particularly from West Bengal, Odisha, Tripura, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Southern Gujarat, and Mizoram.

 

A centuries-old relationship that is still going strong exists between Kolkata and Illish. You may experience the craziness of the Illish season by strolling around the busy marketplaces of Kolkata. The proud fishmongers proudly show their prized catches, while the discriminating eyes of the customers examine each fish with a connoisseur's scrutiny. The whole city seems to be getting ready for a big celebration, and there's a tangible excitement in the air.

 

What makes the fish so unique and special?

More than simply a fish, illish represents for the people of Kolkata an experience, a tradition, and a source of pride. So, here are the reasons why it is so special:

 

The unparalleled Flavour

The mouth-watering flavour of Illish is legendary. Incomparable to any other fish, its creamy, fatty, and soft flesh has a sweet-savoury flavour. The Illish is frequently referred to be the culinary masterpiece of Bengali cuisine because of its unmatched flavour. Due to the limited availability of Hilsa throughout the year, it is even more sought-after.

 

The Richness of Essential Nutrients

Although the Hilsa fish is tender and flavorful, it also has an oily feel. The tremendous health advantages of hilsa are well documented. Among them are: a rich supply of proteins; calcium for stronger bones; good fats like omega-3; and protection against coronary heart disease.

Additionally, your body receives vitamins A and D from hilsa fish. You get good skin after eating Hilsa fish.

 

Bengali Culture and Tradition

The Hilsa, an in-and-of-itself delicacy, has a sizable fan base across the country and is of significant cultural and gastronomic significance. Undoubtedly, once you've tried it, you won't go back. The alluring Hilsa has this kind of temptation. It's viewed as a representation of fortune and is frequently connected to auspicious occasions. In Kolkata, a substantial Illish meal is needed for all weddings, festivals, and significant events.

 

It can be prepared in various ways

Illish is a versatile food that may be made in a variety of ways, from straightforward meals like Illish Bhapa which is basically "steamed Hilsa" to more complex ones like Illish Pulao also known as "Hilsa Rice". There is an Illish dish for any situation thanks to its adaptability in the kitchen.

 

Ilish can be cooked by smoking, frying, steaming, baking, and using young plantain leaves, curd, eggplant and diverse seasonings like cumin. It is reported that there are more than 50 different ways to prepare ilish. Ilish roe is frequently served as a side dish. Ilish requires relatively little oil to cook because it is naturally rich in oils.

 

What does Bengal's Illish Festival entail?

The annual Illish festival is a celebration of the hilsa fish's entry into the rivers of the Sundarbans delta and takes place in West Bengal, India. Normally, the peak hilsa fishing season in the area, which falls in the months of August and September, coincides with the Ilish Utsav. This Festival is one thing that perfectly captures Kolkata's enthusiasm for Illish. The monsoon season, when illish is plentiful, is when this lavish feast is held. The event is a cultural celebration, a culinary innovation exhibition, and a gourmet feast.

 

What does the Ilish Festival celebration look like?

It offers a variety of cultural activities, including folk music and dance performances, as well as food vendors selling a variety of meals made with hilsa, including hilsa paturi, hilsa curry, and smoked hilsa. Now this festival also aims to promote sustainable fishing methods and raise awareness about the need to safeguard the Sundarbans delta's delicate ecosystem, which is home to the Bengal tiger, saltwater crocodiles, and various species of birds and fish.

 

A joyful Celebration with Dance & Music

During the Illish festival, the parade of traders and fishermen carrying baskets filled with fresh Illish usually heralds the start of the event. Food lovers from throughout the city are attracted by the scent of Illish delicacies being produced while they are being cooked. Music, dance, and a contagious spirit of joy fill the streets of Kolkata.

 

The Competitions & Traditional Folk Performances

The Illish cooking competitions are among the attractions of the Illish Festival. The finest illish dish is competed for by local chefs and home cooks who show off their culinary prowess. The flavour rivalry is intense, and dishes range from the classic Illish Machher Jhol, which is basically "Hilsa Fish Curry" to modern food innovations.

With traditional folk performances and Illish-centered storytelling sessions, the event shifts to a more cultural tone as dusk falls. By perpetuating the cultural significance of the fish, these tales are passed down through the generations.

 

A celebration of Bengal's heritage

The event is more than simply a culinary treat; it also honours Bengal's fishermen, celebrates Bengal's history, and serves as a reminder of the long-standing ties between Kolkata and Illish.

Apart from the illish festival, many Bengali Hindu families buy a pair of ilish fish on auspicious days, such as for special prayers or puja days like "Saraswati Puja", which is held at the start of Spring, or on the day of "Lakshmi Puja", which is held in the autumn. The goddess Lakshmi is sometimes believed to require the fish as part of the Puja, hence some people gift the fish to her.

 

The Importance of Illish in Bengali Culture

According to a proverb in Andhra Pradesh, "Pustelu ammi ayina Pulasa tinocchu" approximately translates to "It's worth eating Pulasa or Ilish even if you have to sell your Mangala Sutra." Therefore one must examine Bengal's cultural heritage in order to fully comprehend Illish's significance in Bengali culture. Illish is more than simply a food; it's a component of Bengali culture and tradition. Here are some explanations for that:

 

A Part of Literary Culture

Illish is frequently included in the stories in Bengali literature, which is known for its complex storytelling. The fish has been romanticised by poets and writers in poems and stories, becoming an essential component of literary culture.

 

A Role In Bengali Art

Intricate paintings and sculptures alike include illish in many types of Bengali art. Because of the fish's unique form and attractiveness, artists are inspired by it.

 

A Symbol of Purity and Prosperity During Festivals

Illish has an important place in a number of Bengali celebrations in addition to the Illish Festival. Illish, a representation of purity and prosperity, is presented to the goddess during "Durga Puja", the most popular festival in Kolkata. People also bring it for "Saraswati Puja" and "Laxmi Puja".

 

A Dish that Brings People Together

During family get-togethers and holidays, Illish frequently commands the stage in Bengali homes. It's a meal that promotes community and a feeling of belonging among diners.

As a "tattwa gift" at weddings, ilish is also utilised in Bengal. A pair of Ilish is given to the bride's family by the groom's family at "Gaye Holud Tattwa." The custom is still practised in Bangladesh, however, due to the paucity of Ilish, Rohu is now frequently used in West Bengal to substitute for Ilish.

 

A heritage that's cherished and preserved

Illish cooking is a tradition that is treasured and nurtured in Bengali kitchens, where it has been mastered by grandmothers and mothers for centuries. The city of Kolkata comes alive with anticipation as the monsoon rain pours over it, heralding the beginning of the illish season. It's a time for celebration, for getting together, and for honouring a custom that captures the very best of what it is to be Bengali.

 

Illish is more than just a fish

Kolkata is a city unlike any other, with its bustling streets, varied culture, and a strong affinity for Illish. Beyond just being tasty, Illish is significant to the people of Kolkata because it reflects their culture, their history, and their unshakable devotion to tradition. It is more than just a fish in this humming city; it is a tradition that has been handed down through the years. It is evidence of the Bengali people's inventive culinary skills that they were able to turn a common fish into a delicacy that is enthusiastically embraced. Discover the captivating Kolkata Tales of Illish, an exquisite gastronomic and cultural experience.