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Nakshi Pitha

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nakshi Pitha
Alternative namesPakkon Pitha
TypePitha
Place of originBangladesh
Region or stateNarsingdi, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Associated cuisineBangladeshi
Main ingredientsRice flour
Ingredients generally usedPalm thorn, molasses

Nakshi Pitha (Bengali: নকশি পিঠা, lit. 'Designed cake') or Pakkon Pitha[1] is a type of pitha made from rice flour. It is originally from Bangladesh. Various designs are made on the body of this pitha.[2]

Origin

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This pitha originated in the Narsingdi District in the Bengal region. The women of this district were considered to be skilled but could not show their talent due to neglect. Due to the lack of education, they did not get the opportunity to create works of art. Legend has it that during the British period, the residents of a village on the banks of the Meghna River in that district used to make art works using rice powder. A girl made a cake like Nakshi pitha in imitation of that artwork. The 13-year-old girl's cooking style of pitha was modified and expanded in various ways to make the present Nakshi pitha.[3]

Variation

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As part of the folk art of Bangladesh, this Nakshi Pitha is designed in different ways. These designs are made on the pitha using moulds.[4] Its varieties include Sankhlata, Kajalalata, Chiral or Chiranpata, Hijalpata, Sajnepata, Uriaful, Bent or Vat flower, Padmadighi, Sagardighi, Sarpus, Champabaran, Kanyamukha, Jamimukha, Jamaimuchra, Satinmuchra etc.[5]

Celebration

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Nakshi pitha is usually served as a gift or as an invitation dish in various festivals.[6] Pitha festival is organized in Bangladesh every year on the occasion of Poush Sankranti. At that time, 130 types of Nakshi pitha are brought to the fair.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "শীত মানেই নকশি পিঠা" [Winter means Nakshi Pitha]. Rtvonline.com (in Bengali). RTV. 31 December 2019. Archived from the original on 19 September 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  2. ^ Shahida Khatun (2012). "Nakshi Pitha". In Sirajul Islam; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir (eds.). Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. OL 30677644M. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  3. ^ a b Islam, Md Saiful (1 August 2021). "পূর্ববঙ্গের 'নকশী পিঠা', বাঙালি নারীদের শিল্পী মনের প্রকাশ রান্নাঘরে!" [East Bengal's 'Nakshi Pitha', Bengali women's artistic expression in the kitchen!]. Dailynewsreel.in (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 28 September 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  4. ^ Sagor, Asifur Rahman (8 January 2022). "বাংলার পিঠা ঐতিহ্যের পিঠা" [Pitha of Bengal is the traditional cake]. Ittefaq (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 8 January 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  5. ^ "গ্রাম-বাংলার ঐতিহ্য নকশি পিঠা" [Nakshi Pitha is a tradition of village-Bengali]. Dhakatimes24.com (in Bengali). 15 January 2020. Archived from the original on 19 September 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  6. ^ "নকশি পিঠা" [Nakshi Pitha]. Kaler Kantho (in Bengali). 4 November 2012. Archived from the original on 19 September 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
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