Saheber Cutlet song 'Khaowar Gaan': A rich paean to cultural integration

The song Khaowar Gaan from Anjan Dutt’s upcoming film Saheber Cutlet highlights the intrinsic connection between food and culture. Featuring Anjan on vocals, the song has been both composed and written by Neel Dutt.

The key element of the song is its lyrics, which not only hint at the origin of various dishes but also emphasize the importance of food in 'living tastefully’.

Hinting at the main theme of the song, its music video, set in the middle of the night, opens on a plate of unfinished food that is sitting near the bedside of a sleeping Arjun Chakraborty. The sleeper is then suddenly roused by strange sounds that draw him to the kitchen where he sees a crooning Anjan, who is also the film's director and his co-star, whipping up an elaborate meal.

The song that Anjan is singing stresses the fact that the role of food extends beyond mere survival. According to Anjan abundant material riches cannot ensure happiness and food stands for life's finer pleasures.

It doesn’t take long to understand that this information is directed to a dumbfounded Chakraborty, who is rather taken aback by the abrupt proceedings. However, the video is shot in a very spontaneous manner, expressing the ease of Dutt’s actions.

The song also expounds upon how the culture of a particular place is enhanced by the reception of elements from other cultures. Hence, while speaking of potoler dorma and chingri macher korma, quintessential Bengali dishes, he also narrates how spaghetti bolognese and cutlets have also become a part of Bengali culinary culture.

Stressing the stupidity of following ‘nationalism’ blindly, the lyricist makes it clear that our culture has been enriched by different traditions for centuries and it’s essentially heterogeneous.

Anjan owns the song to the extent that it seems that he is spouting his thoughts spontaneously over a composition that is simple by design.

The film will be released in theatres during Durga Puja.

Watch the song below and let us know if you are keen on watching the film.