NALLIKAYI PACHHMORCHAR (TRADITIONAL RECIPE)

Today I am sharing a very traditional and forgotten recipe from my community. NALLIKAYI PACHHMORCHAR (TRADITIONAL RECIPE) is a quick and easy side dish that can be whipped in a jiffy. A perfect accompaniment and a quick recipe, when you are bored of your regular dishes or there are no vegetables at home.

Lost recipe Nallikayi Pachhmorchar (Traditional Recipe) :

Some family recipes are so nostalgic. I remember the recipes that my Grandmom used to whip up when we visited her during our school holidays. She was an excellent Cook and amazing Human being . She always loved to cook and feed us. Some dishes like Vepampoo Gojju , Pulkeri ,Pachh gojju ,Menthya Gooju , Pachh Mav , Keerpuli are some of my hot favorites. Life used to be so simple back then . These days we are so busy with hectic schedules that some of these recipes have been forgotten . These days I am trying to revive these recipes at home, enjoy the nostalgic moments . I have shared some of the recipes earlier. Will try to share more in future. My mom still makes them when we visit her or when she is here with me. That taste is always unforgettable and etched in my heart.However, with growing interest in sustainable eating and indigenous food systems, there’s a slow but promising movement to document and revive Astagrama cuisine. Local historians, food researchers, and culinary revivalists are now working with elders to recreate these dishes, one recipe at a time—restoring not just food, but a way of life.

Astagrama Community: A Cultural and Historical Legacy

The Astagrama (literally “Eight Villages”) refers to a group of eight historically and culturally significant villages in Karnataka, particularly associated with Brahmin settlements during the Vijayanagara period. These villages were granted by emperors like Krishnadevaraya to learned Brahmin families, often Tamil Iyers, for their scholarly and administrative contributions. Today, members of the Astagrama community are found not only in their ancestral villages but also across India and the world. Many have pursued modern education while still preserving their cultural and spiritual heritage. The community often organizes annual gatherings, spiritual camps, and family histories to keep the connection alive across generations. Despite urban migration, the values of discipline, knowledge, hospitality, and community bonding remain central to Astagrama identity. There are some recipes that is very closely associated with this community.The Astagrama region, historically tied to scholarly pursuits and traditional agrarian lifestyles, boasts a unique cuisine influenced by the seasonal rhythms of nature, Ayurvedic principles, and deep-rooted temple traditions. Yet many of its time-honored recipes are now on the brink of extinction, remembered only by the elders or preserved in fragmented oral traditions.

Historical Background:

The name Astagrama is derived from the Sanskrit words “Ashta” (eight) and “Grama” (village). These eight villages were considered spiritually significant, and the families residing in them were known for their strict adherence to Sanatana Dharma, scriptural studies, and ritual purity. Over time, these communities came to be collectively known as Astagrama Brahmins.

My grandparents (Dad’s side of the family) were from Devarasamudra .Devarayasamudra is always the anchor village among the set of 8 Villages. The central and most prominent of the eight, often considered the “head village”. Known for the Lakshmi Narayana temple and traditional Vedic practices. Devarayasamudra spans an area of 1,665.84 hectares and comprises approximately 441 households. As per the 2011 Census, the village has a population of 1,959, with a literacy rate of 64.6% . The village is part of the Devarayasamudra Gram Panchayat, which includes 12 villages under its jurisdiction.

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