Thali Tablescape

Here is a tablescape with authentic thali. If you missed my post about what thali is, click here. Two weeks ago I taught a vegetarian cooking class. For every cooking class, it became customary for me to set the table for all the students and eat what we cooked that day. Since last class featured all vegetarian food, I set the table with traditional thalis from India. I not only want to teach students about food, I also want to provide a glimpse of Indian culture as well. If you want to eat vegetarian food, Indian food is the way to go. This tablescape is a fusion of Eastern Philosophy and Western style.

The table

Overall view of the table.

 

Notice I set the water glasses to the left at each place setting (it was intentional). As oppose to Westerners, Indians eat only with right hand. Left hand is used to drink water and to pass the food around. When I set the table with Indian theme, I set the water glass to the left.

 

 Single thali place setting.

  

 

Pink proteas and bird of paradise from my garden, coordinates so well with the color scheme.

  

  

Tangerines from the orchard still going strong. 

 

 

 

Salt and pepper any one? 

  

  

 

For more memorable tablescapes, recipes, and entertaining ideas, please check out my cookbook, Entertaining From an Ethnic Indian Kitchen, at my website komalinunna.com

Please check out Susan's blog, Between Naps on the Porch, for Tablescape Thursday.