Museum of Culinary Arts thrown open at MAHE, Manipal

MANGALURU: From 700 year-old water puller to utensils used by erstwhile kings, tens of lemon squeezers to stuffs used by Kashmiri Pandits, this ‘Museum of Culinary Arts’ at MAHE, Manipal, thrown open on Thursday boasts of more than 2,000 kitchen utensils and others used across India from yesteryears.
The much awaited pet project of Michelin starred international celebrity Chef Vikas Khanna was inaugurated along with his mother and officials of Manipal Academy of Higher Education. Khanna dedicated this museum to his father, who brought him the first tandoor, which attracted him food world and now a celebrity.

Khanna, speaking about his pet project, which boasts of having traditional household kitchen equipment and utensils from across country, said that it has taken his two decades to collect from various parts of the country. “The major part of the collections come from Kodagu, Mysuru, Hampi, Kashmir, North-East, Rajasthan, Kolkata and others.”

Explaining about one of the oldest utensil that is a vessel used to pull water from well, said that the place of its origin is not known. The another oldest collection is oil extractor, which dates back to nearly 600 years. “I procured this oil extractor made of neem tree from Bishnoi in Rajasthan.”

Huge metal copper pots, water flasks and artistically handcrafted jars and ice-cream churners also find a unique place in the museum and add beauty contradicting the era of automated machines, proving their origins and roots from Indian regions. Ladles, colourful rolling pins for making chappatis, measuring cups and weights all designed with scientific precision date back to more than 1000 years. The Turkish dinnerware and the Silver ware, showcasing amazing combination of intricate designs and creative patterns are stunning. “Some of the collections I have picked up drains and others places,” he added.

Khanna added that he will use this collections as travelling museum and take to UK, USA and other countries to showcase rich heritage of Indian culinary.

Idea about museum
The brain behind the museum is Vikas himself. The idea to have such a museum dawned upon him when he was living in the US, where, according to him, there are over 5000 different kinds of museums. “Sadly, India does not have even a single museum to house utensils and other appliances to show the culture, heritage and hospitality of our country,” he said. He thanked MAHE for all the support in helping him with the museum. The museum is spread approximately over 25,000 sq ft.

Favourite utensil
The celebrity Chef said his most favourite artifact is a 21 piece picnic set consisting of burners, plates, rolling boards, kadhais and even pots which is a marvellous creation indeed. Wooden spice boxes will give your senses a wonderful feeling as if something is cooking in your home kitchen.