Radha Tilak

Books reveal that the name ‘Radha Tilak’ probably originated about 400-500 years ago from the social life system of ‘Vaishnavas’. They believe that this rice was the favourite of Radha, Gopini of Lord Krishna, hence the first part of the name. The second part ‘tilak’ refers to the sectarian mark painted by the Vaishnavas on their foreheads. Together, it came to be known as Radha Tilak, and was served kichadi or payesh on joyous occasions.

A short bold aromatic grain, the Radha Tilak is cultivated by traditional farming families in only a handful of districts like Nadia, Hooghly, Purba Medinipur, etc. of lower Gangetic plains of South Bengal. And today, this charming rice is also being conserved and cultivated in Manjakkudi, Tamil Nadu.

Cooking Instructions