Let guests be gods-"અતિથી દેવો ભવ:"

I have decided that I will invite, at the most, only as many guests at a time as my dining table will sit. Advantages are;  proper sitting, manageable cooking, cleaning after and adequate attention to and good conversation with each guest.

Last night we had few friends over for dinner. The men of the group were Bhupen's friends from his BVM Alma-mater. Two of three couples, we had never invited before. We officially christened our renovated basement with their help. All men and two ladies drank alcohol. I had two Gin and tonic with a twist of lime which put me in a sort of flighty mood. All guests brought favors which they did not have to. But, Thanks to them.

The group intuitively gravitated to segregate themselves between men and women.  Finally it happened; we all gathered around the bar and next at the dinner table. Conversations mostly revolved around men's school days. I got to know one of the ladies little better. At one point Bhupen recited his poem he wrote about his years from school days to recent years. This poem was a take on Frank Sinatra song of 
"It was a very good year". I will post it separately in a different post.

Last night's menu:

Each item except dessert was made from scratch at home.

Appetizers:   Dalwadas with fried fresh green chillies (famous treats
                     from their Alma-mater town-Anand)
                     Okra chips

 Entree:         Bengan Bhartha
                     Alu-Lal Mirchi Sabji
                     Poori
                     Kala Jeera Rice
                     Moong Daal
                     Kadhi
       
Sides:           Lightly sauted Guava-Green chillies (My aunt's recipe)
                    Banana/Cashew/Yogurt Mattho

Dessert:      Ras Malai (Purchased)

We enjoyed the evening, I hope our guests did too. I hope we did justice to a Hindu tenet of  hospitality :

"અતિથી દેવો ભવ:" 
(Atithi Devo Bhava-Let guests be gods)