And now get ready for concept food. Calcutta (sorry, it`s Kolkota now!) is home to India`s first New Age café that serves food based on Ayurvedic principles. Get rid of your doshas at The Starlit Café.
What`s Ayurveda got to do with it?
According to Ayurvedic principle, there are three fundamental elements or doshas of human nature- Vata (Air Element), Pitta (Fire Element), and Kapha (water element). These three factors govern all the activities of one`s mind and body. The key is to identify one`s dosha and bring it in harmony with the rest of one`s body.
As the first page of the menu card explains, "Health is simply a natural state of wholeness in which you are balanced and happy." To achieve this happy state, it`s important to identify one`s dosha and also know the main elements of the food one eats. In short, the main purpose of new age food is to balance your dosha with your food. At the Starlit Café, guests are first presented with a form with various attributes listed out. Guests are expected to fill this up and first identify their dosha, they can then choose their meal from various groups of foods which are classified according to their Pitta, Vata or Kapha elements.
The café might be based on ancient Indian principles and new age beliefs, but it has a contemporary feel to it. The décor is an interesting fusion of the dark night sky and the bright morning sun. On the Western wall is an arresting artistic re-creation of twilight with swirling clouds against a background of midnight blue. The Eastern wall, in contrast, depicts a brilliant and vibrant morning sun in vivid hues of orange and yellow.
The Starlit Café hosts book readings, musical concerts and other live activities. There is even a quiz for youngsters every Monday.
- The Café is located under the pyramid of the main Emami building in Calcutta.