Nibbling on nuggets from India’s literary and culinary landscape

At Blossom Book House, Zac O'Yeah shared his journey of flavours and stories from his book, 'Digesting India.' He recalled his travels, including a meeting with RK Narayan, and discussed the nuances of India's diverse culinary landscape. Zac's book blends memoir, travelogue, and historical insights to paint a vibrant scene of India's culture.

A literary rendezvous unfolded at Blossom Book House, where Swedish author Zac O’Yeah and culinary columnist Samar Halarnkar delved into the heart of Digesting India, Zac’s latest book. The event was marked by a captivating conversation that intertwined cultures, culinary experiences and literary explorations.

The pages of Digesting India came alive as Zac, a seasoned traveller with a three-decade-long love affair with India, shared his journey of flavours and stories. Blending memoir with travelogue and historical insights, the book paints a vibrant scene of India’s diverse culinary landscape.

Zac, who shuttles between his residences in Bengaluru and Coorg, expressed his fondness for Bengaluru, saying, “I enjoy Bengaluru. I can grab a book from Blossoms and easily head to Koshy’s for a quiet meal.”

Recalling a journey to Bengaluru, Zac reminisced about a lively debate aboard a train, on the nuanced distinction between a pub and a bar. “In those days, Brigade Road was peppered with numerous pubs such as Pecos and Plan B. While times have evolved, Pecos remains a nostalgic beacon; it’s a place I still frequent,” Zac remarked.

Commencing from his Bengaluru base, O’Yeah raised a toast to Dewar’s, the iconic bar in Bamboo Bazaar, inviting attendees to relive the nostalgia of a bygone era. The trail led to the footsteps of legendary author R. Narayan, unveiling the eateries that could have been the inspiration behind the fictional town of Malgudi.

His book blends memoir and travelogue with history, literature, and fun. The book features eight essays that take readers on a fast-paced tour of India’s food and drinks.

During his travels, books by RK Narayan were Zac’s companions. Zac recounted a time he flew to India in the late 90s to interview Narayan, who had suggested a meeting in Chennai whenever Zac was in the city.