Champabati’s Mutton Kasa

June 2026

For sisters Jinnie and Rini Saren, this slow-cooked mutton curry from Baripada in Odisha brings back memories of Holi spent with their late mother.

Growing up, sisters Jinnie and Rini distinctly remember the sizzles and aromas of the Baripada-style Mutton Kasa that their mother, Champabati Majhi, cooked almost every Holi for the many friends and family members gathering at their home. For them, nostalgia went beyond the taste, to memories of family members working side by side in the kitchen as the mutton slowly came together in a large kadhai. The most exciting moment for the sisters was to sneak a few prized pieces of mutton before the guests arrived. Years later, after their mother’s passing, they return to this ritual, relearning the dish in their own way and reminiscing about a delightful time. 

Read the recipe here.

Listen to the full conversation:

Their conversation is part of Longing for Home—our ongoing audio collection of memories carried through food.