K is for Kitchen War(e)s

For a newly wed Indian bride, if she happens to live along with her in-laws, her ordeal starts from day one at the kitchen. Kitchen challenges are delicate that could slowly build a cold war between the newly wed bride (daughter-in-law) and the mother-in-law.

In an Indian household the family's ruling rod is fixed at the Kitchen Table. Traditionally, the mother-in-law draws a line in the kitchen where the territory of her son's wife (though she is her daughter-in-law) ends. Giving away that power at the first instance may trigger an alarm in her brain which will not allow to give up all the responsibilities in one go. Until the arrival of the new bride, the mother's words will be the ultimate at home for they are delivered from the mother who has her ruling territory starting from the kitchen. There are so many families that went split due to the power game that started from the kitchen.

The new bride may want to show her culinary skills and impress people at her new home. But the mother-in-law will not always take that in the right spirit. She will doubt if her daughter-in-law has plans to make her powerless and sit in a corner at home (only to watch what happens around her). Fortunately or unfortunately, I stepped into a home where there were sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws and a father-in-law, but no mother-in-law for she left for her heavenly abode a year before. Being the eldest daughter-in-law with so many dreams I started my life. But I had to face the twist as my sister-in-law was not willing to give her kitchen powers. Though she lacked culinary skills to cook the best, she was not willing to let me in and cook. 

There were times when everyone at home appreciated my cooking and marveled at tasty dishes, my sister-in-law was not willing even to appreciate. With a grim face, she would comment, "So cheap... what made you all appreciate her so much?" She will allow me to do all other chores at home but not cooking. At times, she will frown at my aged father-in-law who was so kind enough to taste and eat whatever I cook for him. In an Indian household this is not a surprise.