Modern Indian women are increasingly challenging traditional norms concerning arranged marriage and domestic confinement, advocating for autonomy and self-reliant identities [5, 23].
: Traditionally, women have been the heart of the family unit, responsible for performing prayer rituals ( vrata ), preserving culinary history, and maintaining ethical values. The scent of sandalwood and fresh jasmine mingles
For a vast number of Indian women, the day begins before the sun does. The scent of sandalwood and fresh jasmine mingles with the first notes of a suprabhatam (morning hymn) or the call to prayer. The kitchen is her first kingdom. Here, the art of roti , dal , and chawal is not just cooking; it is an act of sustenance, love, and cultural preservation. Recipes are passed down like heirlooms, with the unspoken rule that a pinch of turmeric wards off illness and a dollop of ghee brings prosperity. Recipes are passed down like heirlooms, with the