Brinda Somaya

Brinda is an architect of international repute, a born food lover and not a natural cook by any means. Interesting facets that make up the genteel woman

Interviewed & Photographed by: Farzana Contractor
Location: Umame, Bombay

You trace your origins to Coorg, not just a beautiful place, but one which lays great emphasis on good food, you a foodie?
Absolutely! And my husband is an even bigger one, so that helps. We are forever trying to discover nice, new places to eat at, always seeking restaurant recommendations.

I hear many a lore about the wild boar, Coorgis love their meat…
And how! Formerly they would just take out their guns and shoot one for dinner! A meal without non veg is no meal at all! Even at our weddings, unlike other Hindu communities, the spread is a lavish non veg meal, including alcohol! Will you believe, my father-in-law ate meat at breakfast, too. And Anand (husband) would love that too, but I don’t let him. It’s so funny, but when we go out to vegetarian friends’ homes for dinner, I give him an omelette before we leave, so that he is happy there!

Do you like to cook?
Oh God no! I am not a natural cook. I have to follow recipes. And where is the time now? But there was a time, when as an army doctor’s wife (Anand, a cardiovascular surgeon served in the army for a few years), I did cook. And I had these few dishes that I had kind of mastered. Like one baked dish, a curry, a rice preparation, one or two veggies… And when Anand invited guests over, I would have the same set menu each time. I just hoped and prayed that the guest list would differ!

Your mother was a Tamilian, how has that influenced your taste buds?
She was an amazing cook. Perhaps I am a foodie because of my early exposure to good food – all her cooking. And the best legacy she has left behind for me, are her recipes. Before she passed away, she meticulously wrote them down and had Anand’s secretary type it all out. A big, fat book, one for me and another for my sister who lives abroad. Fish in tamarind, prawn-fried masala in rasam, mutton qorma… It’s pure nostalgia.

So what is your preferred cuisine? Any favourites? Any taboos?
No, I actually don’t have any. I am not fussy, I like all food. Just that I don’t like eating the same type of food everyday, unless it is home food. Like, for example I won’t eat Chinese on three consecutive outings, you know…

So you do visit a lot of restaurants?
Oh yes. Going eating out these days has changed so much. There is so much out there. I like the innovation. I also notice and appreciate how they bring out the food, serve it, the designs of the plates, the colours and presentation of the food itself. The sum total is what works with me.

You travel a lot internationally on work assignments, to give lectures at top universities, to receive awards! Do you also go on 100% holidays?
Thankfully I do. I call them ‘real’ holidays. And on these trips, the break-up is clearly defined, 1/3rd of each; shopping, sightseeing and food. We love to eat the local food wherever we go. These may be in fancy, Michelin- starred restaurants or even tiny, offbeat places. The criteria is; food must be good. And it must be a non veg place. Else, Anand won’t eat!

Your more recent holiday destinations have been…
Europe, Jordan, Syria, Iran, Lebanon, Machu Picchu, the Arctic, Vietnam.

And your next one planned is to…
Morroco!

Food being a given, what else makes you happy and smiley?
Going for the movies. It’s the best relaxant.

About
Dr Brinda Somaya is a renowned architect and urban conservationist. A recipient of an Honorary Doctorate from her alma mater, Smith College,  Massachusetts, USA, she has won many awards both national and international and is on many architectural boards in India and abroad. Most recently, she was appointed as the A D White professor-at-large at Cornell University, USA.
Busy though she is with important assignments, which currently also include the renovation and refurbishment of the iconic Bombay House, the Tata Headquarters, Brinda makes time to deliver lectures, analytical and critical talks, as well as present papers on her large body of work. She has travelled to USA, UK, Australia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka for the same. And her work has been exhibited in USA, UK and Japan.
Her career has spanned over four decades, of merging architecture, conservation and social equity. Her book, Brinda Somaya Works & Continuities, was recently launched in Bombay.