Kanna! having a desire to eat laddu

Don't covet ------ it is easier said than done.
Have you ever praised your spouse for her/ "his"( in some cases ) cooking skills(gone are the days of cooking at home,  nowadays,  only takeaways).

How many times have you praised your spouse particularly,
after marriage( before marriage you would have praised out of"  impulsion" wisdom strikes you only after a bitter experience).

How many times you would have prayed to god for the dissolution of neighbhour's marriage? ( so that your chances get brighter)

How many times you've had "es(sex)capades" with your teen age housemaid when your spouse was cooling her heels at her parent's home?

Now, tell me " kanna! unnukkum laddu thinna aasaiya".

Departed from tradition

As the world "celebrated" world diabetes day yesterday. I spoke to a naturopath and yoga master. In his words " over the past two decades, our ( indian) style of eating has transformed.  With raising disposal income in our pockets, we've  started eating whatever comes in our platter. Eating ragi( millet) is seen as inferior grain. Raw rice has replaced boil rice. The only thing that can be found in raw rice is starch. Nothing else. At least, one could see cylists on the road a couple of decades back. Thanks to rise in economic status, pedaling cycle has become a thing of the past. The very fundamental thing that could prevent or delay the onset of diabetes is strictly following a diet regimen. Leafy vegetables and keerai (greens) are rarely taken or not at all taken altogether. Instead, we take more carbohydrates in the form of potato chips and colas.
Last but not least, our mind is so corrupt. Economic freedom has given us so much freedom yet we seem to yearn for " something- missing" phenomenon.  Whenever our anxiety levels goes up and down. The secretion of insulin gets disrupted. We ought to develop a contentment. Always show gratitude to the almighty or to the mother nature that you live with so much comforts at your disposal. To lead a peaceful life always compare your lifestyle with someone who is enjoying less comforts. That would give a sense of contentment".

Gana paatu

Originally, these songs are sung to release the mental agonies. The group, generally, comprised of menial labourers or pavement dwellers. By singing they get a mental relief( if you look at the origin of hip hop music, their stories  synchronise with this format of singing) . It is the one of the easiest ways to " unload" one's worries. The lyrics used in this songs often quote their tribulations they faced in their lives. In some songs, lyrics even carry the highest philosophical messages in a simple language. One could even say that the gana songs are nothing but a folklore of urban slums.

What is more contrasting is that the word " gana" means song in hindi. In tamil, " paatu" means song,  Isn't it ironical that this state of tamil nadu has adopted hindi words (knowingly or unknowingly) in the colloquial usage of tamil language? Probably, the labourers, constantly rub shoulders with emigrants from north india, as a result, they have incorporated hindi words into their daily usage.

The gana songs've struck a right cord with the kollywood films. The only different thing is the usage of language.

In 60' s and 70's films, the gana songs were used sparingly.  In those days,  film going was seen as a family outing. As a result, the gana songs had a few takers. The present day scenario has changed completely. The television and DVDs have weaned away the families from going to the theatres.  The presence of a gana song in a film will give a filip to the front benchers. The trend of using more gana songs started in the early 90's.

Even today,to experience the "live show" of gana songs,  just visit the bylanes of "parrys corner" after 10p.m. people sitting in a circle,  bonfire in the middle, sing their songs non chalantly.

Saidapettai vadakari.....

The origin of vada kari is still not clear. But, it has been around for more than 70 years. Initially,it was found in northern parts of tamil nadu. Some culinary experts says vellore district is the birthplace of vada kari.
Initially,this dish had gained the popularity with the lower income groups.

Actually,  vada kari is used as a side dish for idlis and dosas in addition to getti ( thick) chutney and sambhar( a varient of indian curry).

Generally, vada kari is made up of left overs mainly vadas( lentil sizzlers) and other items. Every roadside eateries provide this dish in their morning naashtha( breakfast) menu. God alone knows the hygenic factor.

However, one could prepare the very same vada curry with hygene kept in mind. While preparing at home one could prepare it with fresh vadas,  instead of left over food items. Nowadays, vada kari is quite universally accepted food item. Its appeal has expanded cutting across the society status.

The bovinae power

When someone disobeys the order or making an infringement of the stated pisition. The aggrieved person will be  shouting ----"erumai" -----literal meaning is "
buffalo" at the errant subbordinate. One has to learn the art of imperviousness from this animal. No matter, whether you are in chennai or higher reaches of himalayas,  the traits of all buffaloes remain the same. A herd of buffalo can bring an entire city to a standstill.

Even a fast moving train stops after hitting a buffalo. Because the horns of the buffalo is capable of derailing the train. ( such is the power of buffaloes, incidentally, this country has the largest population of buffaloes,  predominantly, "two-legged"). But sadly, these "two legged " buffaloes are causing problems to the " two legged" human beings not just humans suffer even typical buffaloes too suffer.

First day first show

"Deepavali releases " have always been an important milestone in cine circles. The fans of all mega stars geared up a week before the film release. The movie buffs in this part of the globe are not just ordinary fans. To them, their celluloid heroes are almost demi-gods.The tickets, a week after the release, will be blocked by the fan clubs.  This act of blocking is seen as an act of promoting the film of their beloved hero. Moreover, they make sure the film is a box-office hit.

Watching "first day first show" on the eve of diwali will be a " double feast". There is no way to measure the fan "devotion" (eccentricity) towards their hero. There will be tens or hundreds of "whistleblowers" inside the hall. These " whistleblowers don't unravel any mystery surrounding the film fraternities. They are "unpaid cheerleaders " in general. At times, their "whistles" become a nuisance for other film lovers.

Indigestion bye! bye!

After consuming high calorie food items during and after diwali, I was down with "hate food syndrome" because of various sweets and savories. Too much of oily items entered my body and  made me to feel uncomfortable.

Then came the panecea in the form of " deepavali marundhu". This is usually taken on the day of deepavali itself. Once upon a time, every household  prepared this " marundhu" along with other special preparations for the festival.
Times have changed. We live in a " very focussed" world. Hence, we buy it at shops. The some of the ingredients used in this marundhu is also used in preparing "pilla peththa legyium" a kind of sauce, given, after the delivery of child, to the mother.