This August, The Fern Hotels & Resorts unveils ‘Lost Recipes of Undivided India’, an evocative food festival that brings to life the long-forgotten culinary gems of the Indian subcontinent before its partition in 1947. Hosted across 16 Fern properties from August 08-August 17, 2025, between 7 PM–9 PM, this gastronomic experience invites guests to embark on a sensory journey through the kitchens of undivided India, spanning present-day India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, where tradition, memory, and artistry converge.
In a time before borders, food was a shared expression of community and culture. With roots in royal courts and rustic kitchens alike, the cuisine of undivided India was a seamless blend of Mughal, Persian, Afghan and regional Indian influences. Passed down orally through generations, many of these recipes were lost in the wake of the partition’s great dispersal. This festival is a homage to those culinary treasures, lovingly reconstructed through meticulous research and storytelling.
Guests will have the rare opportunity to savour dishes such as Ande ka Shorba, a warming spiced egg broth that fuses Persian technique with Indian ingredients; Narkeler Bati Chorchori, a dry Bengali coconut curry fragrant with mustard and green chilies; and Moti Pulao, a regal Mughlai rice preparation layered with saffron and adorned with silver-coated pearls of meat or paneer. Rural traditions come alive in dishes like Khamiri Bhutte, a fermented corn delicacy infused with traditional North Indian spices. Prepared authentically using ingredients such as millets, whole lentils, slow-cooked meats, hand-ground spices and clarified butter, each dish is a bridge to the past and deeply rooted in memory, region and identity.
To complement the historic flavours, the dining ambiance draws inspiration from the elegant kitchens and homes of undivided India. Guests will dine in spaces adorned with carved wood detailing, oil lamps and vibrant floral motifs. Low wooden tables and traditional floor cushions encourage intimate, communal meals. Regional textiles, scattered rose petals and copper or silver thalis elevate the atmosphere to one of nostalgic charm and understated opulence. With thoughtfully designed uniforms inspired by pre-partition attire ranging from embroidered tunics to regionally styled turbans, the staff will embody the prestige and pride of the era. Even the crockery and serve ware pay tribute to heritage, showcasing elegant craftsmanship in clay, wood and metal.
Adding another layer to this cultural revival is music- woven into the experience just as it once was in royal and village kitchens. The strains of Persian and Sufi melodies, the folk songs of harvest festivals and the lilting tunes once hummed by village women enrich the culinary journey, just as they did in centuries past. Music and food, as always, are soul companions, timed with rhythm and emotion to heighten both flavour and feeling.
“We are honoured to present ‘Lost Recipes of Undivided India’- a festival that revives the essence of a unified culinary heritage,” shares Chef Ritesh Sen, General Manager – Food & Beverage, The Fern Hotels & Resorts. “Each dish tells a story of a time when culture transcended borders and meals were a reflection of shared traditions. Through this initiative, we hope to rekindle those memories and preserve them for generations to come.”
More than just a food festival, ‘Lost Recipes of Undivided India’ is a celebration of identity, memory and shared cultural roots. It is an invitation to food lovers and history enthusiasts alike to reclaim and rejoice in the culinary legacy that once united an entire subcontinent.
