Languages and Food of Gujarat

-Purvi Gupta

The mother tongue of natives of Gujarat is Gujarati. But apart from Gujarati many other languages are also spoken widely in the state. Gujarati which is derived from Sanskrit is an Indo- Aryan language and is among the 26^th most used language in the world. And it is the 6^th most widely spoken language and fastest growing language in India. Gujarati is such a lively and melodious language. And not only Gujarati but there are also various other dialects of the language like Kathiawadi, Surti, Kutchchi, and Charotari is also spoken. Gujarati is mother of all the languages spoken in Gujarat. Popular phrases of Gujarati might include – “Kem Cho?” “majama”, “avjo” “Jai Shree Krishna”. And Kathiawadi is the major language spoken in Saurashtra region of Gujarat. Although it is somewhat similar to Gujarati but is spoken differently, it has its own vocabulary, its own pronunciation, making it different from the other languages spoken in Gujarat. Popular phrases of Kathiawadi include “Kem he?”, “Su Kare Che”.  And now speaking about Surti, as the name suggests Surti is most widely spoken in Surat which is known for its vibrant textile and bustling trade region of Gujarat. Surti is also quite different from Gujarati since it has its own pronunciation. Gujarat has a wide business community and people of there are known as entrepreneurial spirit. Surat is not only known for big industries but also its craftwork like bandhani, embroidery. Popular phrases of Surti- “Su Chale Che?” “Khama Ghani”. Then next comes charotari also known as charotri Bhili is the language of charotar region which is famous for producing tobacco, dairy products of Gujarat. And the language is primarily spoken by Charan community. Kachchi is the language of Kutch Bhuj. Which is known for its amazing Rann of Kutch, salt marches, the white dessert and especially the sunrise and sunset. And Kutch is especially known for ran Utsav- a big festival filled with music, dance, colorful handicrafts. Kutch is also known for different art forms like bandhani, pottery. Popular phrases of Kutchi- “aavjon” ,“khabar aahin”. 

Gujarat is known for its Gujarati authentic food which consist of dal, rotli, shak, bhat. Most of the Gujaratis are vegetarian. Apart from dal- bhat, rotli- shak Gujarat is also famous for dhokla, fafda, khamad, undhiyu, handvo, ghatiya, khakhra, thepla, dal wada, khadhi, khichdi. Gujarati dishes are mixture of spicy and sweet. Kathaiwadi is famous for spicy cuisine like sev tameta nu shak, ringan no oroh, bajro no rotlo. Surti cuisine is mix of spicy and sweet like sev khamani, locho. Kutchi cuisine includes dabeli, kutchchi dabeli. Gujaratis have sweet tongue hence their meal is also sweet just like them.