India hosted a grand culinary event for Russian President Vladimir Putin at a state dinner organized by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday. The menu featured a specially designed Indian thali that highlighted regional flavors, seasonal ingredients, and traditional cooking methods.
India hosts grand culinary event for Putin
Prominent figures in attendance included PM Modi, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, and Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh. Footage from the dinner showed the leaders engaged in conversation, reflecting a spirit of cultural exchange and diplomacy.
The vegetarian menu began with Murungelai Chaaru, a lightly spiced broth made with moringa leaves and moong beans. This followed by three appetizers: Gucchi Doon Chetin. It was stuffed Kashmiri morels served with walnut chutney; Kaale Chane ke Shikampuri kebabs accompanied by mint sauce and sheermal; and vegetable jhol momos inspired by pelmeni.
Badam ka Halwa and Kesar-Pista Kulfi serve in Dessert Options
The dessert options featured Badam ka Halwa and Kesar-Pista Kulfi, along with fresh fruits. The table also included salads, traditional snacks like murukku and gur sandesh. It also consists condiments such as gongura pickle and mango chutney. Guests could choose from beverages like pomegranate, orange, carrot-ginger, and beetroot coolers.
To add a cultural touch, a special Indo-Russian musical program called “Messinal Love” performed by the Rashtrapati Bhavan Naval Band. The performance combined Indian classical raagas with Russian tunes, starting with Raag Amritavarshini and Raag Khamaj, followed by the Russian folk classic Kalinka.
Performances included Raag Yaman, Raag Shivranjini, and Raag Nalinakanthi, mixed with the Hindi favorite Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani. The program also honored Tchaikovsky with a piece from The Nutcracker Suite, concluding with Raag Bhairavi and Raag Desh.
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