Mahesh Dattani, theatre person
On Krishna Janmashtami, my sister Padma, would dress me up as little Krishna. She had a flair for drama, which I probably inherited from her. My earliest memory of this festive occasion was when I was six years old! Our mother would make the most delicious sweets, my favourite was called a Ghugra — a kind of fried dumpling with a sweet filling comprising jaggery, dessicated coconut and kismis (raisins). Of course, there would be homemade makkhan as well (B&W pic is of my sister feeding me). Such a simple recipe, I wonder why no one makes it at home anymore. The butter of today doesn’t come anywhere close to the aroma and flavour of makkhan made at home with fresh malai of cow’s milk; delivered at home fresh out of the manufacturers’s udders!

Mahesh Dattani with his sister Padma