In the coastal town of Uttan, North of Mumbai, known for its East Indian Catholic community, the salty sea breeze from the nearby beach brings a refreshing coolness into homes built with sturdy stone walls. Here, the air is filled with the sounds of fluttering curtains and birdsong. In one such home, 37-year-old Alefiya Jane is preparing Christmas cakes using a recipe handed down from her grandmother.
This Christmas holds special significance for Alefiya, as it will be her last in her over 200-year-old ancestral home before it undergoes redevelopment. For her, these cakes are more than just festive treats; they embody the rich traditions of the East Indian community, which she has upheld since childhood.
“Christmas celebrations at home were always about the entire family coming together. My grandmother has a knack for turning any meal into a celebration. For instance, she’d stuff and roast a pig on a spit. It was unheard of in Uttan,” says Alefiya.
