LA VISIT

LA VISIT
Travellogue

One Night Thriller

One Night Thriller
Adventure

Bhojanam!

 Food is just not eating energy. It’s an experience! says a Foodie friend of mine. Mythili adores and appreciates all varieties of food. It can be 
anything, be it the 'Kali' given in the Neighborhood temple during the 'Aarudra Darisanam' or the 'Puliyodarai' of the 'Perumal kovil 'and the 'Cajun spiced potatoes' of the Barbeque Nation. An event begins and ends with food according to her. At least that’s how she narrates it! 


It was a pleasant Sunday Morning when I met her after quite a long time. We decided to go to the Murugan temple, as she said, "Today is Sunday and its Margazhi, lets visit our beloved Murugan and start our day with the piping hot 'Venpongal'" and we did the same. After paying our respects to Murugan, we sat down with our Venpongal chatting away about the freshness of the mornings and the positive vibes. 


A little later we realized that a pious old man was staring at us. As we tried to move away from him, he came near us and started to speak. He said," Amma, silavalukku 'Agala bhojanam' nu nethila ezhudirukkum ana unakko ‘Nitham nithya Bhojanam". Bewildered and at the same excited, she asked, "Enna solreenga Periyavare?" He just kept looking at her and replied, "Unakku kasu illama kooda pogum ana bhojanam illama pogadhumma" Saying this he walked away.

 Feeling disturbed and troubled, I opted to brush away the incident as frivolous! Contrary to my feelings Mythili felt blessed,happy that she kept speaking over it repeatedly. She went on to express how food is important to one’s life and how she was bestowed upon the best of the wishes. I was really taken aback listening to her perspective of feeling bliss after a random shower of words from a stranger. We walked back home while she ranted out her philisophy of life explaining that "it all sums down to food and what more do you need in life". 


Still discussing on a lighter note about how 'hunger' and 'anger' makes a person 'hangry' as in the snickers  advertisement, we made progress to reach the destination. Suddenly, Mythili stopped for a few seconds, as if she expected to see someone from an apartment. Disappointed, she started walking when a strong voice hit our ears, "Mythili why dont you just come in and have a taste of my kesari. Thayar's Neiveithyam! Mythili promptly replied , “Oh yes mami, can I also bring a friend of mine?" pointing to me. Mami replied, " Tharalama kuttinduvaa, avalukkum prasadam kudukaren".


 When I hesitated, Mythili convinced me, " No issues, you see this mami is a long time friend of mine. She was the one who introduced me to filter coffee!” Mythili went on to say how she gives pavazhamalli to her every Tuesday and Friday. Mami greeted us with a wide smile and offered the kesari prasadam to us. I watched Mythili swallow every spoon of kesari as the ghee and sugar melted away in her mouth. She ate in with utmost dedication and concentration and then expressed how yummilacious the kesari was. 


Mami continued, " Mythili always remember to use six times water for the amount of Rava you measure. Appo daan Kesari kadavul eduthakara prasadama marum". I sat there in awe as I watched them both converse about the breakfast, lunch and dinner plans for the day. By the time they finished, I felt a full stomach just listening to my friend’s food cravings. 


Finally we reached home and we went on to check our mobile phones as this has turned to be everyone’s routine when you don’t get to see your phones for more than 5 minutes! With a loud shriek and a startling jump from the sofa, Mythili  read the snippet.


"American model turned anchor authour Padmalakshmi's instagram video of making Puliyodarai has become viral .She has tagged the American vice president kamala Harris as Puliyodarai happens to be both their favourites! Mythili smilingly concluded , "Kamal Harris or Mythili Mami, Life is all about Bhojanam!"

Comments

  1. Aparna mam am feeling like eating Pongal and kesari.... ungalodathum sethi

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  2. Love this write up.. Pongal, kesari and filter coffee... Missing Ooru🙄.. Just enjoyed Aparna 👍👌👌👌

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  3. delicious bhojanam for the readers👏👏

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  4. Besh! Besh! Romba Nalla Irukku😋

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  5. Your words drove me to feel it and taste it Mam!

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  6. Superb narration.TOI Delhi published Padmalakshmi's photo while making puliyodhari for Kamaka Harris.

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  7. Mouth watering blog...gud one Aparna Mam.

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  8. You gave an excellent feast Aparna mam.

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  9. Hi Aparna ,
    Well captured incident transformation to words was lovely.

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  10. Sooo tasty mam😋..Words are literally tempting!

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  11. Keep sharing especially. Our authentic indian food.

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  12. Well written Mam... enjoyed reading!!!

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  13. Aparna mam....that was indeed yummylicious...and thanks for the conveying the tip for a perfect kesari!Off to kitchen...

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