Spice Dabba

The Magic Container for Cuisines

The Indian cooking style is noted and distinguished by geographic region and characterized by various chosen ingredients and techniques. Quick access to a trove of whole and ground spices gives the cook intuitive and sometimes spontaneous cuisine creations.

We all know salt and pepper shakers, but the Indian Spice Dabba is the circular magic container to unleash cuisine wonders. The Dabba or Masala (spices) is filled with regularly used spices in most homes and restaurants. While it may be sufficient to have one Dabba and commit to seven spices in each cylindrical container called Katori, it's not uncommon to have more than one Dabba.

The Spice Dabba is more than compartmentalized storage but a 'power tool' for the Indian cuisines artists. The little spooning and pinch of spices from one or two containers at the right moment is critical and makes a world of difference in the Indian dish preparation.

Spice Dabba

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STATE OF THE SPICES is a body of work by fine arts photographer Raj Manickam. The collection of photographs and mixed media artwork investigates the diaspora of spices from their indigenous grounds to worldwide spaces. The Portuguese, Dutch, and Spanish original intentions were to dominate the spice trade. Manickam outlines the early spice routes and colonial conquest of the South Asian and Indian subcontinent. Manickam has a distinct grasp of being an observer in his photography. He has an extensive array of Indian spices and has a passion for cooking authentic South Indian food. Manickam's photographic subjects and mixed media works identify some of the most used and flavorful spices in this collection. Here, he connects aspects of these spices in their present-day use, especially in Colorado's South Asian Indian community.

Art at History Colorado ‘Rice & Resilience’ Exhibit

For more photo stories > AllinGoodLight.com

Created By

Raj Manickam

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