Hi, If you’re wondering why you’ve received this and who I am, that is what I expect, because we may have crossed paths but may not have spoken before today. I’m Virkein, a curious maker, story-seeker and design geek, who is building Sundooq for you. I’ve never donned a chef’s coat but love dissecting and recreating flavours that I’ve experienced, and the ones that have really stuck are often those at the homes of friends and strangers. The bustling flavours, crackling sounds, and beautiful aromas of food act as memoirs, a window into the past to help us navigate today if we’re willing to listen. |
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And as I started listening, food and travel became a medium to discover stories of who we are and where we come from, hoping for it to tell us where we ought to go. Sundooq was born out of the pandemic, with a need to pivot and re-imagine storytelling in more ways than one. As a creative producer and architect, I've been crafting performances, spaces, and intimate experiences for more than a decade, but it wasn’t until 2019 that food became part of my toolkit to share narratives not often told. I (along with a team composed of a theatre director, researcher and chef) created an immersive performance of memoirs, archival objects, music, and food, called Table Radica. And while we did begin to grow, life had other plans, with the pandemic suddenly transforming the delight of sharing an intimate table with strangers into a threat. Sundooq is my attempt to find ways to take lesser-known stories of food, places, people, and cultures straight to your table. |
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Photographs from Table Radica's inaugural performance at OddBird Theatre, New Delhi. (Credits: Radhika Agarwal) Top Photograph: Virkein Dhar (Credits: Nico Journal) |
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This is what I wish to bring into your inbox each month, along with the most flavourful mixes that power you with pro-level cooking without a sweat at home. The voyage of Sundooq is driven by the maker in me, and guided by interminable curiosity, integrity, and love for fellow beings and the planet. I believe India’s inherent diversity will underpin sustainable food futures, and to strive for freshness along with ingredients that are traceable, sustainably sourced, and equitably produced. As a young (180 days old) brand, my team and I have only just begun, and I hope you will join me in this journey. |
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I also wish for the good ol' email to help me connect with you, devoid of brand propaganda and without the paraphernalia for social media validation. This is the KHHAT*, a closed subscriber only space to listen, share fun recipes and new learnings, explore enigmatic ingredients and mad ideas, calling dibs on new products or collaborations, and connect you to mysterious experiences, obscure places, and gifted people. This is of course an experiment, and your consent is essential. If you’re intrigued but not sure, tell us what of the following you long for or that makes you curious, and I'll make sure you get what you want. - Fun recipes using Sundooq mixes - Unique regional Indian recipes - Travel stories from India & the world - Un-classroomed food history
- Recommendations for the senses
- Culture deep dives through a food lens If you would not like to hear from me or from those that I may invite to the Khhat, please let me know. You can simply respond back to this email telling me what you would like in THE KHHAT, ask a question you wouldn't ask google or bing, or just to say no more khhats please. With love and curiosity, |
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*Khhat or ख़त means a letter, in urdu. If you're in the mood for poetry, listen to a young poet's Pyaar ke Khat (letters of love) *Remember to mask up, sanitize often and stay home as much as you can. Eat well, stay healthy. |
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