BOO’S CURRY
I had always been intrigued by Wribhu also known as Boo, I was captivated by his infectious energy and ‘lippy’ sense of humour. Always quick to fight back to a joke never afraid to poke fun at himself, his light heartedness, refreshing and endearing. I met Boo through the Seaview Old Boys pub cricket team, a member that stood out and never failed to bring smiles to faces.
One topic that Boo was particularly passionate about and never hesitated to voice his opinion on in the pub, was the perceived blandness of British cuisine. He would often go on about the lack of flavour and variety in British dishes, expressing his belief that the reliance on processed and packaged foods had stripped away the natural taste and freshness of ingredients. This opinion resonated deeply with him, as he shared stories of his upbringing in India, where food was celebrated as an integral part of culture and pleasure.
Determined to showcase the vibrant flavours of Indian cuisine, after much teasing from myself, Boo insisted on treating me to a homemade curry, an offer I couldn’t refuse. We arranged to meet on a cold November afternoon at 2:30pm outside the butchers ‘Mayatts of falmouth’.
I spotted him waiting for me across the road from the Butcher, puffer coat on and rucksack firmly on his back. Boo expressed his gratitude for the personalized service and quality of British meat from this particular butcher. From here we ventured to the natural store, where Boo indulged in fresh, organic produce, contrasting it with what he perceived as the artificial offerings of supermarket chains.
One thing that Boo likes to do is talk and that he did. As we made our way back to Boo’s home, rucksack full with ingredients he entertained me with tales of Indian culture and culinary traditions, each ingredient carefully selected for its significance and flavour profile. It was clear that for Boo, cooking was more than just a means of sustenance, it was a form of artistry, a way to connect with his heritage and share his passion for flavour with others.
Upon arriving at his home, I was warmly welcomed by Boo’s wife Ellie, and introduced to their charming abode, with its quirky layout and cosy atmosphere, apart from the cold temperatures that they kept each room at. Together, we spent the next few hours in the kitchen, Boo guiding me through the intricacies of Indian cooking with humour and enthusiasm. As he chopped, stirred and savoured the aromas of food wafting through the air, Boo’s playful banter and affectionate teasing about British cuisine only added to the experience.
The process seemed simple but complex, however he knew exactly what it needed adding each flavour a step at a time, it was clear he had done this so many times before. Once he had finished we left the curry to cook for two hours, upon doing so he offered me a drink and we made our way to the living area where his wife Ellie sat at the table typing away at her laptop franticly, cigarette in hand.
As we settled into the living area, the aroma of the curry filled the room, blending with the faint smell of tobacco from Ellie’s cigarette. My host, seemingly relaxed despite the complexity of the cooking process, poured us each a drink.
Ellie, engrossed in her work, only sparing occasions glances in our direction, as she seemed to be undergoing a demanding task. Her glasses, perched precariously on her nose which reflected the glow of the laptop screen as she leant forward fingers dancing across the keyboard.
I sipped my drink, slowly adjusting and taking in the comfortable atmosphere of their home, all be it the temperature was cold inside as they claimed it was what they were used to. Ellie closed her laptop and came to life, her smile bright and welcoming. We sat and chatted for hours the conversation flowed as well as the drinks. Boo rolled fags which seemed to be done with ease and skill smoking one after another talking lovingly about his wife and how they met as he did so.
Wribhu hails from Kolkata, India, where he spent most of his life. However, he found himself contemplating a return to education for a Master’s in renewable energy. The University of Exeter accepted him a even offered a small scholarship, making the decision clear for him.
As Wribhu and his wife Ellie were packing up their house in India a few days before their departure, he decided to print out the acceptance letter from the University. He showed it to Ellie, asking, “Ellie, this says Penryn campus, where’s that?” Ellie shrugged and replied, “Yeah? So? Probably somewhere in Exeter.” It was only later, a few days before they left the realisation they were heading to Cornwall set in. All their hard work looking on Rightmove in Exeter, wasted. With the little time they had left, they hastily booked an Airbnb for 3 days while they embarked on a house-hunting mission.
The house they currently reside in was the second one they viewed in Cornwall, a highlight for Wribhu. One of the main reasons they were drawn to it was its close proximity to the Seaview Inn. Wribhu particularly enjoyed the beers served in English pubs compared to what he described as “cr*p” beer in India. The Seaview quickly became his favourite outing, being conveniently located next door, a way he could drink beer with minimum effort required.
Over time, Boo found himself engaging in conversations with locals every time he visited the pub, with discussions invariably steering towards curry. He found it amusing how some attempted to welcome him by expressing their love for curry. He struck up a friendship with Michael, the pubs landlord at the time and slowly became part of the community.
One evening, Wribhu decided he had cooked far too much curry, prompting him to bring some to the pub after all his conversations about it. Michael absolutely loved it, and soon, others were buying Wribhu shots as a token of gratitude for letting them try it. One of these customers was Bobby, Wribhu instantly took a liking to his now friend Bobby, remarking that he could tell Bobby was a “c**t,” but that’s precisely why he liked him. Their conversation soon turned to cricket, with Bobby inquiring if Boo played the sport. Just like that he was added to the Seaview Old Boys cricket group.
One of Wribhu’s early cricket matches was against Trengilly, a team friendly with the Seaview side but not a team they enjoyed losing to. It was Boo’s first cricket game in England and he was extremely excited. He described the ground as “on the piss”, and upon arrival, he decided to stretch and warm up as he used to back in India. However, the team looked at him quizzically and asked what he was doing. Boo, unfazed, told them he was warming up. This brought laughter from the team, who then informed him, “We don’t do that here.” Surprised, Boo asked, “What do you do then?” The response came swiftly: “We drink beer!” And just like that, everyone started getting pissed, a sight that amazed Boo. He had never experienced cricket played in such a manner.
In India, cricket is taken very seriously, according to Boo. He believes this intense competitiveness stems from a colonial hangover. For them, cricket isn’t the gentleman’s game it once was; it’s all about winning. Boo illustrated this point with the example of the most recent World Cup in India, where a staggering 130 thousand people filled the stadium. All with the sole intention of witnessing an Indian victory over the Aussies, rather than appreciating a good game of cricket. In fact when India did lose to Australia in the final the whole of India had the next day off work. The sport is imbedded in their culture some may describe it way of life.
Wribhu’s first game marked the beginning of what he described as experiencing the truest spirit of cricket, where it was truly a gentleman’s game-nobody would shout at you if you dropped a catch. Despite having played cricket all his life, even during informal matches with friends on the streets of India, the atmosphere was always fiercely competitive, always aiming for victory. Playing in England was a revelation for Wribhu, who instantly took a liking to the different ethos. He found the members of the Seaview team to be among the most welcoming people he had encountered in England, making him feel part of the group.
In Indian culture, communication tends to be direct, and while Boo has mastered English, using it in a manner similar to Indian language can sometimes come across as offensive or rude, given the English preference for politeness. He learned this the hard way with his wife Ellie, who is English-born. Having moved to India from England, Ellie had to adjust to Wribhu’s directness. Boo has since learnt to adapt, showing different sides of himself depending on the context. However, he feels completely at ease being his authentic self around the Seaview Old Boys, where he can speak his mind freely, much like he would with friends back in India. The fear of unintentionally offending people is a new experience for him since arriving in England, but there is no judgment within the team. The concept of ‘beer fear’ doesn’t exist when he drinks with them.
Wribhu affectionately describes the cricket group as a bunch of ‘c**ts.’ However, he doesn’t mean it in an offensive manner. Instead, he explains that it’s a term used for his friends whom you love, devoid of any malice. According to Boo, when you share a deep bond with someone, you come to accept their flaws, recognising that everyone has them. Upon arriving in Cornwall, he found it challenging to connect with the younger generation. He felt a sense of apprehension, fearing that he might inadvertently offend them, knowing all too well that people tend to form instant opinions and might ‘cancel’ him. He draws a parallel between cricket and national consciousness, noting that the England cricket team is too nice compared to teams like Australia, which he believes need one or two ’c**ts’ to succeed. Wribhu contends that national teams reflect the ethos of their respective countries.
Within the Seaview Old Boys team, Wribhu maintains a T5 list (Top 5 c**ts), which he personally curates. Based on his own data from the Seaview Old Boys Mining League triumph in 2022, Wribhu has observed that they won every game where they had at least three players from the T5 list on the team. Consequently, he asserts that a cricket team cannot afford to be overly ‘nice’ if they aim to win.
Wribhu’s Top 5 c**ts
1. Deliah
2. Bobby
3. Wribhu
4. James
5. Damo
As a bowler, Boo grew up admiring players like Waqar Younis, who was renowned for his skill in England, making it Wribhu’s dream to bowl there, considered the birthplace of cricket. Since arriving in England, one of the pleasant surprises for Wribhu has been the high quality of cricket grounds compared to India’s dry, overcrowded pitches.
The Seaview Inn (the pub the team meets at) holds a special place in Boo’s heart. Its more than just a pub; it’s a sanctuary where he can connect with people, a safe haven where he finds comfort. It’s not pretentious; its self-sustained, with familiar faces and a sense of community. Boo describes it as ‘addea’, reminiscent of the gatherings he would have back in India after work, a Bengali tradition of discussing, relaxing and enjoying drinks. Growing up, he was very close to his neighbours and describes them as extended family, now he sees the people from the pub as exactly that.
The pub hasn’t just been a place for Wribhu to make friends; it also led him to his current job. One evening, while standing outside having a smoke, he struck up a conversation with someone he hadn’t seen before. Wribhu mentioned that he was pursuing a Master’s in renewable energy, and the guy revealed he was a computer engineer, sparking what Boo described as a ‘nerdy’ chat. He casually mentioned that his father worked in the renewable energy industry and offered to introduce Wribhu to him. Initially not expecting much from the conversation, the acquaintance managed to arrange for Wribhu to have a chat with his father. Impressed by Boo, the father advised him to keep an eye out for a job opportunity, expressing his liking for him. A year later, Wribhu seized the chance and applied for a job. Now, two years into his role, he describes it as a beautiful coincidence.
Smells lingered from the kitchen towards where we were sat at the table in their living room, Boo jumped to his feet, it seemed like it was almost time to try his famous curry. Ellie frantically set the table topping up our drinks as she did so, fag still in her mouth. They asked me if I wanted a fork as they both eat without having lived in India where it’s traditional to use hands. I accepted as they were addiment I didn’t have to use my hands, the food on the table a feast of flavour and spice as promised.
Impressed I went for seconds which surprised Boo as he admired I could handle the spice of the dish, surprisingly it was not overwhelming. Boo sat sweat on his forehead as he indulged in his own cuisine. It was clear he had done this before and it was evident through the quality of the curry he had made, it was incredible.
The rest of the evening was ran by Ellie as we played card games until finally the clock reached 11pm and it was time to leave these two good people in peace.
