ITC’s Sunrise Spices has launched a new culinary series titled “Xipa Bisari: A Back to Roots Series” to celebrate Assam’s rich gastronomic heritage. The initiative was unveiled at the Chandmari Bihu Xonmilon pandal in Guwahati on April 16 and was attended by an enthusiastic audience, including Mr. Rahul Das, Chief of the Directorate of Cultural Affairs, Government of Assam, and renowned Assamese chef Atul Lahkar, who hosts the series.
Presented in collaboration with the Cultural Ministry of Assam, the 10-episode series follows Chef Lahkar as he travels through Assam’s villages and markets, uncovering forgotten recipes and traditional cooking techniques. The series pays homage to elderly women—the custodians of oral culinary history—while reinterpreting these age-old dishes with Sunrise Spices’ authentic blends.
In Guwahati, the response has been encouraging. Local vendors and spice traders see this initiative as a boost to indigenous culinary demand. “Such efforts can renew interest in native ingredients and spice combinations,” said a local trader at Uzan Bazar. ITC’s Piyush Mishra called the series “a tribute to culinary authenticity,” while Chef Lahkar emphasized its cultural and emotional significance, calling it a homage to Assam’s food legacy.
