Let This Post Be A Virtual Candle: Inspirational Indian Cook, Pedatha, Passes Away

It is with sadness that I give the news that came to me by email tonight from Jigyasa Giri and Pratibha Jain, the authors of the beautiful and lyrically written southern Indian vegetarian cookbook, Cooking At Home With Pedatha.

Their email was simple and poignant: “Barbara, our world is empty…”

Down below this simple statement of grief was the image of Pedatha’s lovely face you see above.

Tears came instantly to my eyes, because even though I never met Pedatha, through reading Jigyasa and Pratibha’s book, I felt as if I knew Pedatha as well as any of my beloved elder Aunties. I felt the keen pang of loss, because not only had I never met this remarkable woman and inspirational cook, I never would.

I will only say now, what I wrote back to Jigyasa and Pratibha: “You two, and Pedatha herself, gave a piece of her heart and soul to the world through your book, and for that I am very, very grateful.”

Through their book, Pedatha’s images, words, admonitions, kitchen philosophy and recipes will live on forever, not to be lost by the hands of time. For as long as one copy of this book exists and there is a human being to touch it, hold it, open it, read it, and I hope, cook from it, the spirit of Pedatha will live on. So long as we can taste the flavors of Pedatha’s dishes, her spirit will be with us, a part of us.

Because, the truth is, even in death, there is no parting. Separation is an illusion–we are all, each of us, part of the unity that is the Universe.

Thank you both Jigyasa and Pratibha for giving part of Pedatha to the world. We are grateful, and will not forget her, even as we sorrow with you.

5 Comments

RSS feed for comments on this post.

1. I’m sorry to hear this.

   I made shortbread (butter, flour, sugar, kneaded by hand–I honestly never measure, I just do it?) tonight, with a few teaspoons of rose water and candied rose petal bits in it along with the usual dash of vanilla and sprinkle of cinnamon. Wish I could email you some to cheer you up…

   Comment by Azalais Malfoy — February 21, 2008 #

2. Oh, I am so sad. Although I didn’t know her, I feel as if I did. Her spirit shines from every page of her cookbook, and those recipes feel like some old family recipe a favorite aunt just decided to share with you. And the pictures! Her eyes shining and her zest for life and food apparent on every page.

   In a way she lives on – even with those of us on the far side of the world – in the pages of that book. Thank you Jigyasa and Pratibha for creating such a wonderful legacy.

   Comment by Diane — February 21, 2008 #

3. Thats sad. I had read a lot about her during the past few months and was hoping to buy her book soon. SHe looks so serene in her photos.

   Comment by vimmi — February 21, 2008 #

4. Barbara,
   your eloquent expressions are a rare gift…they just touch the heart…thank you seeing Pedatha as you do. To call your post a virtual candle is the sort of gesture that would have reached her in a span, wherever she may be. Pedatha’s family joins us in expressing warmest regards to you.
   Jigyasa . Pratibha

   Comment by pritya — February 21, 2008 #

5. Barbara,
   your eloquent expressions are a rare gift…they just touch the heart…thank you seeing Pedatha as you do. To call your post a virtual candle is the sort of gesture that would have reached her in a span, wherever she may be. Pedatha’s family joins us in expressing warmest regards to all of you.
   Jigyasa . Pratibha

   Comment by pritya — February 21, 2008 #

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.