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Ammi An Expression of Love
It enabled me to realise that I am actually a good cook and do what I really like.It was short listed for the Oxford Bookstore Art Book Prize in 2023.
By Kshalini Nonis
Ammi – An Expression of Love, is a cookbook memoir by Prasanna Pandarinathan which comprises a lifetime of recipes by her mother Nirmala Pandarinathan , through amazing photography and takes the reader on a journey through food.
The creation of the book has also brought her in contact with some of the leading food photographers in New York and helped her to understand the art of food photography which can be seen in the images in the book.
In her tribute titled ‘ Memories of Nirmala’ Illica Karunaratne writes in the book that “ Nirmala had a bright mind, boundless generosity, a charming, exuberant personality and her lifelong wish was to share the joy and cheer of her life with others who needed joy in theirs.” We had a chat with her when she was in Sri Lanka recently.
Q: What made you decide to compile a book of recipes as an ode to your mother?It is something unique and very personal and comprises a lot of heirloom recipes and goes back in time during the time when life was somewhat ‘ slow paced’ and it goes back to that era of nostalgia and the hustle and bustle that commenced at home at around 6 am daily. It is my mum’s journey through food and how her home was an ‘ open house’ to all and brought people together.
I was transported back in time with cherished moments spent in the kitchen with my mum with memories of the smells and sounds of her cooking and the love that went into each dish came back to me.
Each recipe is very different and authentic and brings together recipes from countries such as Sinpapore, Malaysia the UK etc. For instance each recipe for fish curry is very different.
Q: Can you tell us about the process of compiling the book?
It involved a lot of hard work especially as this was something I promised my mum and comprises 108 recipes.
When my mum, Nirmala Pandarinathan passed away in 2010 I felt I had to fulfill the promise and the compilation and publication of the book was a good healing process.
Finding a good publisher was not easy too but finally I succeeded.
Q: How has the publication of the book helped you?It enabled me to realise that I am actually a good cook and do what I really like.
It was short listed for the Oxford Bookstore Art Book Prize in 2023.
Q: As you did the photography for the book yourself can you tell us about food photography?
Food photography is very different and the initial images I had did not do justice and I did not like them. Therefore, I went and studied it at The International Center for Photography in New York , met alot of people and got more accustomed to it. Initially it was all very new to me and one person who helped me tremendously was Chef Charles a Sri Lankan who is based in New York who actually cooked some of the food I photographed whilst we also did a photo shoot at his house.
Q: Prior to this you worked as a Model and Photographer. Can you tell us about it?
I started modelling when I was very young and it was nice as I got to travel as well. I was also Miss Bangalore when I was 17 years and thereafter I got offers to model. I moved to Mumbai and also did shows in places such as Hong Kong, New York and London to name a few countries.
I also went for Festivals of India Fashion Shows in places such as China.
I was also able to meet a lot of people such as Fashion show Directors, Make-up artistes etc.
Q: Finally, what has this experience taught you?
It was an amazing journey a healing process and a learning experience for me.
Pix Courtesy PP
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