Smells are not simply about thing A and its smell B. Smells are a process, inextricably linked with both their subject and their object, so to speak. Only when red chilly finds its way to that pool of smoldering oil does its truely give out its fragrance. Not untill it can make the eyes water a little and and lead to a few sneezes is the experience complete.
Smelly gunny bags in which our daily vegetables present themselves are mouldy proof of the freshness of the merchandise. Can the bhaji sold in plastic trays at modern vegetable malls ever give that feel?Perhaps our urbanised senses have got used to another sort of freshness - big shining, clean vegetables, sanitised cold cuts.
However observation in weekly markets in small towns throws another picture. A litle mud on the vegetable just makes it closer to the land. Poultry must be executed in front of me.
Meanwhile, to return to the point I began with, smells are a coming together of many a thing. What is the item stored in? How is it presented? What are my notions of freshness, natural, reliable? what is it mixed with?
Tea powder is as if waiting to be added to hot water, mud when sprinked with water acquired a whole new dimension. mogra, jasmine, rose and marigold are intimately linked with memories of weddings, adorning hair with flowers while going to school. Rich thick and heady smells are part of rural and small town India.