Karachi, a small hub yet a subcontinent in itself, has its own many flavors. There is a varied mix of people who inhabit Karachi; belonging to various religions, cultures, communities having different lifestyles. With the creation of Pakistan, Karachi not only became its first Capital but also its economic hub, providing various means of earning income; attracting a massive number of immigrants from all over the country. From Pathans to Punjabis, Biharis from the Far East, Afghans, and migrants from U.P, Gujrat, Delhi, Kathiawad and Hyderabad settled in Karachi and its neighboring urban areas. It’s a marvel, to see so many people, belonging to different cultures, communities and ethnicities residing together, in one place, one city and how they have contributed to the growth of Karachi, especially in terms of food. How we enjoy different flavors: from Burmese food to Parsi; Gujrati, Kathiawadi, Punjabi, Chinioti, Hyderabadi, Sindhi etc. Never have I come across such diversity! No Karachi-wala can deny how these cultures have influenced the food they eat. Khattay aloo, chapli kebabs, namkeen karahi, kunna, dhansak, saag; what are these but additions and influence of the many cultures existing in Karachi? And just the way we enjoy food, we need to learn to respect and appreciate the diversity present within us. After all, we all are human beings and life is too short to hate.
At the time of independence, many Hyderabadis from Hyderabad Deccan migrated and settled in Karachi. There is a Hyderabad Colony, located close to the Central Jail, famous for the Hyderabadi Cuisine. Delicacies such as mirchoon ka saalan, bhagare baigun, khubani ka meetha, dubal ka meetha, hareesa, tamater ka kut are all available here. Initially many of these dishes were only available in Hyderabad Colony, but then gradually its’ delightful flavors conquered the taste buds of us Karachiites escalating its’ availability throughout the city.
Burnes Road is home to dozens of eateries and food stalls, frequented by people from all over the city, especially the lower and middle class for its delicious yet reasonably priced food. We also get to see shops of the famous milk dessert ‘Rabdi’, a specialty of Delhi. Old residents of Burnes Road (most of them belonging to Delhi, India) have moved out of the locality but there are still a lot of Dilliwalas residing in Burnes road, says the owner of a famous Rabdi Shop, whose parents migrated from Delhi, Chandni Chowk to Karachi during the communal riots in 1947.
Chiniot, the place to which the ‘Kunna’ belongs, is one of the oldest towns of Punjab, associated with the folk tales of Sohni Mahiwal and Heer Ranjha. The residents of Chiniot are known for their wood-carving skills. The heavily carved and ornamental furniture from Chiniot is famous all over the world. Even though Chiniotis belong to Chiniot, but 80% people who call themselves Chinioti reside in Karachi or in areas other than Chiniot itself. In Chinioti weddings one witnesses the numerous ways Chiniotis enjoy their food followed by days of lavish dinners before and after the ceremony.
The Bohras of India and Pakistan is a sub-sect of the Ismaili Shia Islam. The sect was established in the sub-continent by the missionaries from Egypt. They are scattered throughout the world but most of them dwell in India and Pakistan. About 45,000 Bohras live in Karachi. Bohra families give a lot of importance to food and love to celebrate every moment of their life with delectable and innovative meals. They believe that the success and happiness depends upon the togetherness of the family. They have their special way of celebrating their festivals, especially the Islamic New Year. The families eat their meals sitting together around a large steel plate also known as a ‘Thaal’. Thaals accommodate up to 6-8 people, and those sitting around it eat from a single plate from the center of the thaal. I remember my own experience, when I went to a Bohra gathering once with my family, and we too were served food the same way. Eating from the thaal symbolizes unity, equality and sharing amongst the Bohra community.
These were just a few communities I talked about; besides these we have Parsis, Bengalis, Pakhtuns, Balochis, Memons, Gujratis, Kathiawadis, Sindhis and many others who make Karachi what it is now.