Once upon a time, people would turn a blind eye to the sound of sea hilsa, but those days are gone! Sea hilsa is also increasing now! However, if I dare to talk about river hilsa, I have to talk about Padma hilsa, Tentulia hilsa, and Sandhya river hilsa. Sandhya is a strangely beautiful river that touches several districts of Barisal. The daughter of Arial Khan, Sandhya, traveled 60 kilometers and fell into the Kacha river. Again, Arial Khan is the son of Padma! As such, Sandhya is the granddaughter of Padma; how can the hilsa here not be good!
I visit Barisal, Pirojpur and Jhalakathi once or twice a year. These three districts are in the wetlands of canals and rivers. Amidst the clamor for hilsa in the market, I went to Banaripara on the banks of the Sandhya River with some friends. A familiar boatman was ready. As soon as I floated, I saw a fleet of Manta community boats and a few fishing boats carrying hilsa. They were returning to the ghat. When I expressed my interest in buying hilsa, a kind of helplessness appeared on their faces. Due to the lockdown, their hands and feet were tied to the vendors, and they did not even have the ability to sell a few fish they had caught. I had to go to the ghat with them and buy the hilsa they caught from the vendors. The price of one and a half kilograms of hilsa was two and a half thousand taka. Oh, what a look, color and appearance it is. Remember, the eyes of the river hilsa will have black kajal work around them!Read more
Do you know how Hilsa fish was harvested in the landlord’s house in Muktagachha?
What about cooking now? We went to a familiar house—this is our aunt’s house. The hilsa was cooked with mustard; it was accompanied by a broth of another coastal fish called Tula Dandi with coconut paste. There was a paturi made by wrapping canal shrimp in banana leaves! It is true that tastes differ from district to district. However, the cuisine of the Barisal region suits all tongues more or less. Here too, it was no exception. Everyone ate and ate. Before returning, everyone planned, when will we come again?
Buying Hilsa from the marketPhoto: Apu Nazrul
Two launches leave for Barisal from Sadarghat Terminal in Dhaka at 9 pm every day. The fare for a deck, first class, general or VIP cabin is 300 to 10 thousand taka. From Barisal, take a local bus or Mahindra to Banaripara or Swarupkathi on the banks of the Sandhya River. Apart from that, there is a direct bus from Gulistan or Sayedabad in Dhaka to Swarupkathi, the fare is 550 to 700 taka. A half-day boat ride will cost 1,500 to 3,000 taka. If you cook at the locals’ homes and restaurants, you will only have to pay the cooking costs and tips.
Source: Prothom Alo
