I wanted to cook grandma's food myself

DJ Jay Singh travels the world, but with his grandmother Bebeji's recipes, he always brings a piece of home with him

- PUNTEHA VAN TERHEYDEN

Jay Singh- a DJ and producer known as 'Indian Man' - grew up in Bristol, and recalls a strong urge to always stay connected to his family and Punjabi heritage.

"My mum is Welsh and my dad's Bristolian, and it's important for my Indian grandparents to pass down their knowledge and roots," he says. "Generation by generation, the culture dilutes unless you keep it alive, so I've always made an effort to listen to my grandparents' wisdom and learn about Punjabi culture." That connection has flowed through the food of one generation to the next in Jay's home. He says, "Food, love and discipline. That's the deal, especially with my grandma. If you're going to eat Bebeji's food, you listen to her rules and advice."

When Jay was 23, he moved in with Bebeji, now 80. "I lived in her spare room while producing the first part of my new album, Welcome To Life, fusing western and eastern dance, garage and jungle music. Bebeji cooked the most amazing traditional Punjabi food, mostly vegetarian, as when she was growing up, meat was expensive and a rare treat. A regular was tarka dhal, stewed lentils with spices. It was quick, easy, made in huge amounts, and we'd eat it with fresh chapatis Bebeji made - perfectly round, light, and soaked in butter. I loved cooking, but she wouldn't let me touch the kitchen."

"I realised the spare room in Bebeji's house was always ready for anyone needing it. Anyone in our family who'd gone through something had lived in that room at one point. I thought I'd been keeping an eye on her and grandad, and Bebeji had gone along with it. But by the end of four years there, I realised she'd been the one quietly nurturing and looking after me." Jay, now 29, left to travel the world, stopping in Bali and Mexico.