Hilsa: The Fish Bengalis Drool On

‘Maach bhaat’ or rice and fish curry, it is not merely a staple diet for Bengalis, it’s almost part of their culture. And one particular fish is like cocaine for them. It is the Hilsa or what is called ‘Ilish’ in Bengali. The partition divided a nation, but not its taste. For many the Hilsa is a reminder of what’s left behind in Bangladesh, their home, friends and relatives. The rivers in Bangladesh still produces the best Hilsa. It swims upstream from the Bay of Bengal to have babies. The cocktail of salty sea water and the sweet water of rivers gives it the unique taste.