Kohima: Author and publisher Vishü Rita Krocha on Saturday launched her illustrated book ‘A Bowl of Khaudzü’ at The Local Harvest, Kohima, marking PenThrill Publication’s 120th release.
Illustrated by artist Adenuo Shirat Luikham, the book traces the emotional and cultural journey of khaudzü, a traditional Naga comfort dish, through childhood memories, intergenerational storytelling and lived experiences rooted in family and community life.
Speaking at the launch, Krocha described the book as “a labour of love” shaped over several years of cooking, experimenting and sharing khaudzü with family and friends. She said the project emerged from a growing concern that many traditional foods are slowly disappearing from everyday tables and collective memory.
“One of the primary reasons I wrote this book is also because I observed that many of our traditional foods are vanishing from our tables and our memories. Many children today, even from my own community would not have tasted khaudzü, or recognise many of our traditional foods that carry with them stories of the past, and contain rich cultural values,” she said.
She emphasised that ancestral food traditions are deeply connected to identity and must be preserved as part of living heritage.
Recalling childhood memories in Kohima, Krocha spoke about how khaudzü was often prepared during quiet Sundays or rainy afternoons, when families gathered to cook and eat together, creating moments of belonging and connection.
The author also highlighted the dish’s cultural role beyond nourishment. Traditionally, khaudzü was prepared for family members who were ill, and in earlier times it was offered to grieving households as a gesture of care and solidarity.
“I remember mother telling me on several occassions that khaudzü is not just another dish, but that its cultural significance also lies in the fact that every time somebody in the family got sick, had a headache or a cold, khaudzü was our go-to food. In the olden days, she said that when somebody died, it wasn’t money or flowers that people offered to the bereaved family, but they cooked khaudzü for them because it nourishes, and it also heals.” she narrated, expressing hope that the book would inspire younger generations to rediscover their roots through food and storytelling.
Illustrator Adenuo Shirat Luikham shared that her artistic journey with the book began after being introduced to khaudzü two years ago, an experience that left a lasting impression and eventually grew into a collaborative creative project.
Despite initial hesitation about relying on photo references for accuracy, she said the process helped her better understand the textures, ingredients and cultural context of the dish, allowing her to visually interpret the story with authenticity using watercolour as her primary medium.
Independent editor and researcher Dr Vizovono Elizabeth, who shared her reflections at the event, described the book as a powerful example of how food functions as a “love language” in Naga society.
She observed that when love cannot be expressed in words, it manifests through food. Presented across just 19 pages, the book blends oral storytelling traditions with poetic structure and visual imagery. Each three-line stanza is accompanied by illustrations that deepen the sensory experience of memory, nostalgia and belonging.
Elizabeth noted that the narrative evokes the author’s memories of spending time with her grandmother in the village, where shared meals and stories created a lasting emotional connection to heritage and place.
She also praised the deliberate use of local ingredient names without English translations, describing it as an important step towards preserving indigenous languages through literature.
Deputy Secretary to the Government of Nagaland Asalie Lese, who formallay launched the book stressed that culture extends far beyond traditional attire and ornaments.
He said that language, food and everyday interactions are equally important expressions of Nagas beyond traditional attires, stressing the need to document such knowledge so that it can be carried forward for future generations.
He also reflected on the importance of creating locally rooted stories that communities can relate to, especially at a time when traditional practices risk fading from everyday life.
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The programme was chaired by Runshito Lims, author, poet and assistant professor at Alder College, Kohima. The event began with an opening prayer.
Angel Raikhan spoke on what khaudzü tastes like and its cultural significance. Rokonuo Mekro presented ‘A nei kekrei jü’ during the programme.
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