BAI’S KISMOOR

My sister’s mother-in-law, who we called ‘Bai’, passed away ten days ago. Amidst many lingering memories of her extroverted nature were her culinary skills. But what remains strong in my musing is the excellent ‘kismoor’ that Bai served. Kismoor is a Konkani delicacy which is a mixture of ingredients like onions, chillies, coconut oil, chopped coconut and other garnishing with dried and fried mackerels or prawns or shrimps or even pappads.

While the mixture of Kismoor is always very tasty, the overall flavour is diminished if the onions and mackerels (or shrimps or prawns) are not crisp. Bai’s Kismoor was coveted as it was not ever premixed. Only when the person started to have the meal, Bai would open her many covered containers, each having the ingredients separately prepared. The mixture was served immediately with its aroma and taste intact.

So often, so many of us are in the method of the premix that takes away the freshness of each ingredient that makes the mix. It is important for them to unite to impact by coming together at the right time, appropriate context and in justifiable portions arising from the needs and wants of the situation.

Let’s look at an analogy. If you want to give a good speech, it is best to go prepared with a bunch of crisp quotations, a set of properly edited anecdotes or wit; well focussed main points, etc. Impact orators will mix the ready ingredients only a few minutes before making a judgement based on the audience, time, etc. Orators who come with premix speeches end up being longwinded and often oblivious of the impact on the audience.

It is said so well that well begun is half done. Well begun is to be well prepared with all sub-tasks and necessary arrangements. However, even if well begun, premixing before time can result in the undoing of the impact. Whether it is putting together kismoor, a speech or many a plan, the tolerance, to wait for the right time to mix, is crucial to the impact of the union of various elements.

Be it Kismoor, speech or plan that combines elements...
ensure that they ‘unite to impact’ at the right moment!

                              

- Pravin K. Sabnis

Goa, India.

PRAVIN SABNIS conducts UNLEARNING UNLIMITED workshops for corporate & other teams. Since 2004, he has been writing MONDAY MUSE. He can be contacted on unlearning.unlimited@gmail.com and 91-9422640141 or 91-8698672080