The Silver City of Cuttack plunged into grief following the demise of Raghunath Sasmal (94), a beloved ‘Dahibara Aloodum’ vendor fondly known as Raghu Mausa.
Sasmal, who had been battling age-related ailments, passed away at his residence on Saturday morning. His passing has evoked heartfelt condolences from across the city, with Mayor Subhash Chandra Singh leading tributes, along with several political leaders and eminent personalities.
Starting his culinary journey at the tender age of 15, Raghu Mausa played a pivotal role in making Dahibara Aloodum synonymous with Cuttack’s street food culture. For decades, his stall at Bidanasi became a household name, attracting food lovers not just from Odisha but also from across India and abroad.
“Raghu Babu was instrumental in branding Dahibara Aloodum as Cuttack’s identity. Thanks to his contribution, the dish has gained recognition far beyond the state,” Mayor Singh said.
Odia film actor and BJP leader Sritam Das recalled how generations of people had grown up relishing his plates of the delicacy. “His demise has left a vacuum in Cuttack. People from across Odisha came to his stall just to taste his unique Dahibara Aloodum. His death is a huge loss,” Das remarked.
Former MLA and Congress leader Mohammed Moquim also expressed his condolences, noting Raghu Mausa’s affection and popularity among locals.
Residents have long demanded a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Dahibara Aloodum, with the matter even raised in the Odisha Assembly last year—further testament to how deeply the delicacy is tied to the city’s cultural identity.
With Raghu Mausa’s passing, Cuttack not only loses a legendary food vendor but also a custodian of one of its most cherished traditions.
