Cuttack: Raghunath Sasmal, the owner of the iconic Raghu Dahibara in Odisha’s Cuttack, passed away on Saturay at the age of 91. A pioneer in popularising the Dahi Bara-Aloodum dish in Cuttack and outside, Sasmal has left behind a legacy in the city’s food culture.
Popularly known as ‘Raghu Mausa,’ he breathed his last at his residence in Bidanasi’s Gopalsahi in Cuttack. Raghunath began his small food stall at a tender age of 15 in 1950, and for over 70 years, he became a symbol of the street food culture in the millennium city.
Always jovial at his stall, Raghu greeted customers with a smile despite long hours of working under the sun. His signature dish attracted foodies from across the city and outside for its distinct taste and flavour.
He dished out soft Dahibara paired with spicy aloodum, topped with a sprinkle of chili powder served without the usual additions of seu, ghuguni, or spoons. The bold flavors quickly made it a favorite for many, although, like any unique dish, its taste is subjective and not for everyone.
In 2017, his Raghu Dahibara even made waves outside Odisha when he represented the state’s unique Dahibara at the Odisha Parba in New Delhi.
His demise is seen as the end of an era for Cuttack’s street food scene, but his legacy will certainly continue.
