Fresh from the oven!

The new book of Sandhya Balakrishna talks about bakeries in Hyderabad that have been there for more than 100 years offering sumptuous delights

HYDERABAD:Great ideas strike when we least expect and leave a lasting impression on our minds. They leave us with an itch and a desire to give it shape. Such is the story of Sandhya Balakrishna, the author of Bakeries in Hyderabad, a book published by The Write Place--Crosswords Publishing House. It was released recently at a city mall.

She says, “The idea of writing this book was very impromptu. One day I had decided to stop by a bakery and as I wanted to eat something. While I stepped inside one of the bakeries, I realised that they have stood the test of time. They are a part of Hyderabad’s culture which no one has yet documented and from that moment onwards I began my work.”

Sandhya, a true blue Hyderabadi, has over fifteen years of advertising experience in top line agencies. A post graduate in English Literature from Osmania University, Hyderabad and a graduate of Journalism from Bhavan’s Institute of Communications, her passion for creating and writing has led her up many fascinating paths.

Writing a book is no mean feat and with it comes its own unique set of challenges. For Sandhya the biggest hurdle to overcome was collating the information that she had gathered. She said, “I initially thought that collecting information would prove to be irksome but as I went around the bakeries, I realised how friendly and compassionate the workers are. They love to chat about the bakery and the history of the city and though it may not seem so, these people are a treasure trove of knowledge!”

What fascinated her the most on her trips was discerning the fact that all the people she had encountered were so humble and jovial at heart. Even though the city has transformed from what it was previously, impressions of the past can still be seen in the recipes and workings of these bakeries. They still strive to deliver what represents Hyderabad and yet have incorporated all the modern recipes as well but with a unique Hyderabadi twist.

The book attempts to give an overview of these enduring entities of Hyderabad and presents a mix of photo stories, interesting legacies of some of the bakery creations, profiling of some renowned bakers and a closure on the endearing life in old Hyderabad. Including some well known and age old recipes in her book, it is certain that she has made her impact on the historical and literature spheres of the city.

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