The making of Samosas..

Did you guys know, September 5th is World Samosa Day?

We all know that 5th September is celebrated as Teacher's day in our India. I still remember that was one day we 12th standards got to be a teacher for a day and take a class for atleast one period!! And, we gave Roses to our favourite Teacher/s! I had given a Rose to my Maths teacher... She was the most humblest yet brilliant being I have ever known (a rarity among Maths teachers I believe!😉).

Teacher's day is celebrated on September 5th to honor our first Vice President (1952–1962), Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan who later on became the second President of India (1962-1967). He was also a great scholar, philosopher, Bharat Ratna awardee and born on September 5th in 1888! Teacher's day marks the birthday of our President, Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan.

But how did we start celebrating Teacher's Day?

It seems that when Dr Radhakrishan took the office of the second President of India in 1962, his students approached him seeking permission to celebrate September 5th as a special day. But instead Dr Radhakrishnan made a proposal to observe September 5th as Teacher's Day, to recognise the contribution of teachers to the society. Ever since then, September 5th is celebrated as Teacher’s Day across schools, colleges, universities and educational institutions. 

Now, who on Earth would have thought that while we were taking classes for Juniors, another part of the World was savouring on hot crispy Samosas... Celebrating "World Samosa Day'!

Did you guys know about "World Samosa Day"? I had absolutely no idea! 

Well, it seems September 5th is indeed World Samosa Day!

Before that, where did Samosas actually originate? 

We Indians would love to own up the yummy snack but according to historians, Samosas dates back to a time prior to 10th Century... in Middle East! And, a few hundred years later, during the 13th or 14th century they were brought by traders to India, where it quickly became an incredibly popular food.

Samosa traveled its course from Egypt to Central Asia to India and now in abroad it is a popular Indian snack!

There's even a Guinness World Record in 2017 for the absolute largest Samosa in the world, weighing 153 kg, made in a London mosque as a way to bring awareness to charity! Way to go on World Samosa Day!

Well, I think what better way to celebrate Samosa Day than Making those delicious Samosas itself! So...

Started off with a light pencil sketch of an image I got from Internet!

Put down a light wash of colours...  Yellow ochre Samosas with purple (Red+Prussian Blue) and green (white+viridian green) chutney.

Two slices of lime yellow lemon and yellow green leafy salad!! More yellow ochre on the Samosas leaving spaces where the bubbles and blisters would be!

A light yellow background and another layer on Samosas and chutney!

White Gouache for the reflections on the chutney bowls. Mix of Scarlet, Viridian Green and Prussian Blue to form shades of Gray for the shadows and form the shapes of the plate and bowls!

 

Putting on layers of paint to accentuate the image. The best and critical part is the crispy outer layer of Samosa with all the blisters. A mix of yellow ochre, lemon yellow and a little hint of crimson to form the folds and bends and bubbles on and around the samosas. And, there you go... The Hot Spicy Crispy Samosas are ready 👍

 

Bon appetite!! 

And, don't forget to wish Samosa Day next year. I would also try to savour Real Samosa next time 😊

Till then...

“When you want to make the main color pure and bright, don’t just keep adding bright colors on it. Just make the colors around the spot darker and dull. It will give the scene dramatical effects. I think the life is the same.” 

                               — Hiroko Sakai

Happy painting 🙏

06.09.2021