In a truly unique and groundbreaking achievement for culinary arts and cultural preservation, Biswajit Das and Chandan Borgohain have been announced as winners of the esteemed Serendipity Arts’ “Food Matters Grant” for 2024. Their project, “Rediscovering Lost Fish Recipes,” stands out for its innovative approach to exploring the intersection of food, art, and culture.
The project aims to archive and reimagine forgotten fish recipes from the Kulsi River region in Assam, India. Through the lens of food, Das and Borgohain will examine the impact of human intervention on shared resources, memories, and cultural heritage, culminating in creating an artist’s book.
Biswajit Das, an acclaimed documentary filmmaker and animator based in Guwahati, brings a wealth of experience to the project. His extensive body of work, which includes 24 documentary films and over 100 short animation videos, has earned him significant recognition, including the Best Director award at the Chalachitram National Film Festival 2023, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Research grant, and the OneWorld Media Fellowship 2022. This impressive track record underscores his expertise and commitment to the project.
Chandan Borgohain, a seasoned journalist and photographer from Assam, is collaborating with Das. With over five years of experience in regional and international organisations, Borgohain has dedicated his career to addressing disinformation in the digital age. His photographic work uniquely captures the interplay between personal and social aspects of landscapes.
The selection of “Rediscovering Lost Fish Recipes” for the Food Matters Grant not only highlights the growing importance of preserving culinary traditions and their cultural significance but also promises to make a significant impact. As the project unfolds, it will not only shed light on the rich gastronomic heritage of the Kulsi River region but also address broader themes of environmental change and cultural preservation, making it a truly transformative and impactful initiative.