सभी का स्वागत
All Welcome
All Welcome
This month we gathered together in east London for The Trailblazers– a Dishoom Presents event that shone the spotlight on three rule-breaking women (Rani Lakshmi Bai, Sophia Duleep Singh and Homai Vyarawalla), whose stories were often hidden between the pages of history. Coming away inspired, we're extremely excited to learn about and share the stories of these iconic women. So, this month…
We’re plugging in our headphones:—
To listen to historian William Dalrymple and writer-broadcaster Anita Anand discuss the life of Sophia Duleep Singh on the Empire podcast. The episode follows the Punjabi princess’ extraordinary life from a British society debutante to one of the suffragette movement’s most high-profile voices.
We’re diving deeper into:—
The life of Princess Sophia by reading Anita Anand’s book Sophia: Princess, Suffragette, Revolutionary. Within its 456 pages lies an inspiring story, with photographs of the princess-turned-suffragette’s family and life peppered in between. An ideal companion to a glass of piping hot chai.
We’re deeply engrossed in:—
The story of India’s fearless warrior queen – Rani Lakshmi Bai – by way of the Amar Chitra Katha comic by two women, Mala Singh (author) and Hema Singh (illustrator). While bringing The Trailblazers event to life, our co-founder Shamil Thakrar fondly reminisced about his childhood trips to India where he came across issue No. 51 on the Rani of Jhansi. A bookshelf must-have.
We’re watching:—
A thoughtful documentary based on India’s first female photojournalist, Homai Vyarawalla, who was often found wearing a sari, wielding her camera. Directed by filmmaker Monika Baker, Dalda 13 celebrates over three decades of Homai's work through moments in history, all captured by her trusty lens.
We’re recommending:—
All our friends – young and old – add to their reading list author Raj Kaur Khaira’s book featuring the inspirational stories of 50 South Asian women and their remarkable achievements. Supported by illustrations from South Asian artists like Vinny Soor, Suman Kaur and more, Stories for South Asian Supergirls is a heartwarming read and an ideal gift.
We’re overjoyed to announce that our collaboration with Manjit Thapp is now available. Three most special T-shirts bearing a beautiful illustration of these trailblazing, rule-breaking woman from Indian history. Choose from T-shirts proudly displaying warrior queen, Rani Lakshmi Bai, princess turned revolutionary, Sophia Duleep Singh, and India’s first female photojournalist, Homai Vyarawalla.
This limited edition Trailblazers collection is available by way of the Dishoom Store.
Vaisakhi, a day marked across India by people of many faiths, is celebrated in the Punjab as the start of the new Harvest. It falls on the 13th or 14th April depending on the calendar for that year.
Spring has gently tiptoed in. As the days lengthen and the sun grows bolder, here’s a glimpse of what we eagerly await in April.
We’re turning page after page of Ayesha Erkin’s recipe book Date of the Day, featuring 30+ recipes for the modest date – timely for breaking fast and after. Our dear friend Ayesha has now kindly shared a recipe for you to make at home. Try it this Iftar or any time you need a salty-spiced sticky treat.
The holy month of Ramadan is upon us, when Muslims around the world fast daily from dawn till dusk. It is a time of private worship and spiritual discipline, but also of shared joy and abundant feasting. Families and communities come together at suhoor, the pre-dawn meal, and at iftar, the evening meal, to break their fasts with copious, delicious dishes. Join us on 7th April for our own Iftar celebration – for an evening of feasting and live music.