Swagat Raj Pandey

I love cooking, but that does not necessarily make me a good cook. But my friends and family members — the ones who have had opportunity to taste and test my food — assure me that I am not as bad as I think I am. As cooking is my hobby, I get my brother to buy the latest books and subscribe to the magazines on cookery and cuisine. Together, we experiment with a number of new dishes. So far I have been unable to master any new dish, though. I believe my inability partly stems from the dearth of required utensils and ingredients. But the main reason for my inaptitude is my refusal to follow the elaborate procedures outlined in the culinary catalogues. Singing is my other passion. But even while at it, I am unable to repeat the songs to the dot. Try as I might, I cannot replicate the singers’ voices. Sometimes, I get the tunes, but the lyrics go haywire. Other times, the lyrics do not pose any problem, but I import the tune from the wrong song.

I just don’t have the ability to copy! I can’t follow the path someone else has tread before. My friends poke fun at my inability to copy. I am often blamed for my lack of passion and concentration; and accused for being self-obsessive, arrogant and inflexible. Well, people are free to think what they like!

I have got used to these labels and I don’t give them much credence, except when I draw the flak for the food that prepare. For the most part, I feel honored and proud to be who I am. I once shot back at a friend when she asked me to sing a popular song: ‘I sing the way I know how. I can’t copy others.’ I don’t know what made me reply so. But looking back, I feel good at what I said.

Do I feel bad about it?

No. Not at all. Why should I feel bad about not being able to copy others? If I can innovate and create, why should I bother to imitate? I can only be proud of this God-given penchant for originality. Being able to define a taste of my own is beyond all joys. Maybe, this habit to

stay on my course no matter what is just the right quality I need to be someone in the future. I don’t have to look very far for inspiration, either.