This Mother’s Day, on 10 May, two members of Melbourne’s Indian community are offering distinct ways to celebrate: an evening of classical Bharatanatyam and a special menu rooted in family tradition, each paying tribute to mothers in their own way.
At Doncaster Secondary College, Nadana Maalai will see Bharatanatyam dancer Lalitha Narayanan perform alongside Lakshmi Narayanan, founder of a sister academy in Bengaluru. The event is a collaboration between Nrithyopasana School of Bharatanatyam in Melbourne and Nrithyopasana Academy of Indian Dances in India, and will feature students and musicians from both countries.
The evening brings together performers across generations, with classical dance used as a medium to express themes of devotion, strength and continuity — ideas closely associated with motherhood.
Meanwhile, at Bibi Ji restaurant, 179 Lygon St, Carlton, chef and owner Amarjeet Singh is marking the day with a special set menu inspired by family recipes passed down through generations.
“Bibi Ji” is a Punjabi term used for a mother or grandmother, and the restaurant draws on that idea of food as care and connection.
“I learnt cooking from my mother, and she learnt it from hers,” Amarjeet says. “For me, food has always been more than just a meal. It is the love a mother puts into every dish.”
The restaurant will offer a $69 set lunch and dinner menu for Mother’s Day, designed as a gesture of appreciation for mothers in the community.
While different in form, both events reflect a shared thread — the passing down of tradition, whether through art or food.
For many families, Mother’s Day is marked in quiet ways. Next weekend, Melbourne’s Indian community is choosing to do so through performance, memory and a shared meal.
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