Jaipur – As tensions between India and Pakistan simmer, a group of Jaipur sweet shop owners stirred controversy by renaming beloved Indian delicacies such as Mysore Pak, Gond Pak, and Moti Pak, adding the prefix “Shree” to their names. But the move has met with strong opposition from none other than a direct descendant of the royal chef who created Mysore Pak.
S. Nataraj, a member of the Mysore Palace’s royal kitchen lineage and descendant of Kakasura Madappa—the legendary inventor of Mysore Pak—has called the renaming attempt “unacceptable” and “disrespectful” to tradition. “No one has the right to rename Mysore Pak. It’s not just a sweet, it’s a part of our cultural heritage,” Nataraj asserted.
Still crafting the iconic dessert in Mysore today, Nataraj explained that the term “Pak” comes from the Kannada word for sugar syrup, and the name “Mysore Pak” is a reflection of its birthplace. “Changing the name dilutes its identity. This sweet is recognized across the world by this name. It’s non-negotiable,” he emphasized.
The sweet, first prepared in the royal kitchens during the reign of King Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, has become a symbol of Karnataka’s rich culinary legacy. The renaming to “Mysore Shree” has sparked heated debate online, with many defending the traditional name as a matter of pride.
Nataraj’s statement sends a clear message: Mysore Pak is more than food—it’s a legacy that must be respected, not rebranded.
