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Was at Mylapore today to attend the Mylapore Festival which is conducted by Sundaram Finance every year. All great cities have a soul. Mylapore can rightfully claim to be the soul of Chennai city here in south India. It pre-dates Chennai's birth and has seen the city grow as it has, its own. Mylapore retains the look and feel of an old neighborhood, the culture and heritage typically south Indian, yet it has not escaped development. This place then is also just the setting for a cultural festival. That is why the Sundaram Finance sponsored Mylapore Festival is organised every year in January, on the eve of the local harvest festival of Pongal.
"Ten thousand mile journey starts with the first step."
One of Chennai's lovely quirks of public space are these series of inspirational and motivational wall slogans in several areas of the city. This sequence is from along GN Chetty Road in Chennai as you approach Gemini Flyover and is one of the longest stretches.
On World's Earth day, every other news channel was talking about global warming, mercury and water levels rising, and forests being destroyed. Today, when I went for a stroll in my garden, I noticed a very beautiful colorful looking bird that must have died either due to starvation, no water or for reasons unknown.
Initially, I didn't feel like taking a pic of this, but then decided to convey a tiny little message through this dead bird.
Bird: "What harm did I do to this world that I am deprieved of basic food&water".
World Answer: "Global warming".
Chennai's first casualty. YOU could be next.
Was at Mylapore today to attend the Mylapore Festival which is conducted by Sundaram Finance every year. All great cities have a soul. Mylapore can rightfully claim to be the soul of Chennai city here in south India. It pre-dates Chennai's birth and has seen the city grow as it has, its own. Mylapore retains the look and feel of an old neighborhood, the culture and heritage typically south Indian, yet it has not escaped development. This place then is also just the setting for a cultural festival. That is why the Sundaram Finance sponsored Mylapore Festival is organised every year in January, on the eve of the local harvest festival of Pongal.
"Be a sun which dries someone's tears."
One of Chennai's lovely quirks of public space are these series of inspirational and motivational wall slogans in several areas of the city. This sequence is from along GN Chetty Road in Chennai as you approach Gemini Flyover and is one of the longest stretches.
"Our goal must not be peace in our time - but peace for all time."
A very nice reminder, although truthfully, I'd be satisfied with peace for any amount of time for a good start... but that is not the slogan's fault.
One of Chennai's lovely quirks of public space are these series of inspirational and motivational wall slogans in several areas of the city. This sequence is from along GN Chetty Road in Chennai as you approach Gemini Flyover and is one of the longest stretches.
Was at Mylapore today to attend the Mylapore Festival which is conducted by Sundaram Finance every year. All great cities have a soul. Mylapore can rightfully claim to be the soul of Chennai city here in south India. It pre-dates Chennai's birth and has seen the city grow as it has, its own. Mylapore retains the look and feel of an old neighborhood, the culture and heritage typically south Indian, yet it has not escaped development. This place then is also just the setting for a cultural festival. That is why the Sundaram Finance sponsored Mylapore Festival is organised every year in January, on the eve of the local harvest festival of Pongal.
All great cities have a soul. Mylapore can rightfully claim to be the soul of Chennai city here in south India. It pre-dates Chennai's birth in the 17th cent. And has seen the city grow as it has, its own. Mylapore retains the look and feel of an old neighborhood, the culture and heritage typically south Indian, yet it has not escaped development. This place that is proud of its arts, culture and tradition and people is just the setting for a cultural festival. A festival held in its very heart and around a great temple.
www.madrasphotobloggers.com/real-essence-kolam-contest-my...
Mylapore, Chennai,
Tamilnadu.
Sizzling Sanath routs Chennai
- Mumbai Indians placed sixth with eight points from as many games
Mumbai: Riding Sanath Jayasuriya’s unbeaten knock of 114, that included 11 sixes and ten fours, Mumbai Indians outclassed Chennai Super Kings by nine wickets for their fourth straight win after four losses in the Indian Premier League here Wednesday.
The Sri Lankan veteran flicked, slashed and pulled the short-pitched balls served to him on a platter by the visiting team’s bowlers as the home team, chasing Chennai’s total of 156 for six, surged to a comprehensive win in only the 14th over.
Jayasuriya finished the match with a flourish by slamming Lankan compatriot Chamara Kapugedara for 26 runs in five balls, with three sixes to boot.
Mumbai Indians are placed sixth with eight points from as many games. They take on Kolkata Knight Riders on Friday, who have 10 points from nine games.
It was the marauder from Matara who stole the honours with clean hitting as he took the match away in the first six overs when 78 runs were made. He raced away to his fifty in 25 balls and his hundred came from just 45 balls, studded with seven fours and 10 sixes.
Jayasuriya and fit-again Mumbai Indians skipper Sachin Tendulkar, who made 12 in 16 balls with a six and a four, put on 82 for the first wicket in only 44 balls to condemn the visitors to a comprehensive defeat, their fourth in 10 games.
Tendulkar was out in the eighth over, bowled through the gate by Joginder Sharma when the champion batsman tried to play an on-drive, but Jayasuriya carried on relentlessly to ensure that the home team came out victorious.
Chennai new ball bowlers Manpreet Singh Gony and South African Albie Morkel erred in trying to bounce out the great left-hander on a helpful pitch but just did not possess the much-needed accuracy and went for plenty.
Gony went for 31 in his first three while Morkel conceded a whopping 44 from the same number of overs. Jayasuriya struck three sixes each in one over from both the pacers.
The Lankan ace’s initial pyrotechnics sealed Chennai’s fate much before the end came.
Earlier, Subramaniam Badrinath and Mahendra Singh Dhoni revived the visitors with a 95-run stand after the hosts’ pace attack had taken early control.
Badrinath, struggling initially before picking up pace, struck his second successive half century in the IPL when he made 53 off 32 balls with seven fours and two sixes while Dhoni made an unbeaten 43 in 35 balls with six fours and a six. The fifth wicket pair pulled Chennai out of the hole with their near-century stand in 61 balls.
The recovery came after the Mumbai Indians pace attack put them on the rack to leave them gasping at 46 for four in the ninth over as the duo mixed authentic and streaky shots.
Put in to bat, Chennai began well by hitting a string of boundaries in the second over before being rocked by the Mumbai attack to be pushed on the back foot.
Stephen Fleming (26), dropped on one, and fellow-opener Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan (16) got a start but failed to flourish to the full.
Suresh raina made only one run before edging a rising ball from Dwayne Bravo to ’keeper Yogesh Takawale to leave Chennai at 28 for two in the sixth over
This crocodile pit in Chennai's Crocodile Bank is more than 70 meters away from the sea. But still 1/4th of the wall has been pulled down by the tsunami. Unfortunately, the crocs in this pit are not used to salt water and few of them died.
Camera used: Canon Powershot A20
Welcome to Sigma Event Management, one of Chennai’s premier event management companies for both corporate and private events. We pride ourselves on the quality of service we over throughout the planning process and the delivery of events which exceed our client’s expectation. This is why client’s return to us time and time again.
Within this site you will see the range of events we specialise in including; celebration parties, corporate hospitality, award ceremonies, product launches, conferences and private events which require professional event management services.
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Chennai's pride and treasure, the Marina, the world's second longest beach, is bordered by a beautiful promenade created by Governor Grant-Duff, who gave Marina its name in 1884. Amidst the several statues that line the promenade, the impressive Triumph of Labour statue by Debi Prasad Roy Chowdhry stands in stately repose. Chowdhry, wrestler, hunter, painter and sculptor, was the best known Indian artist of the 1940s and 1950s. It was during that "most fruitful period of my life as a painter and sculptor" that he created The Triumph of Labour. The Labour statue, as it is commonly called, bears a semblance to the famed photograph of the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima. This splendid sculpture depicts an inspiring posture of a team of labourers engrossed at arduous work. The monument is symbolic of the human spirit that triumphs over adversities with elan, often sailing smoothly through several impossible situations.
A time lapse shot on Chennai's Iconic Anna Arch. A similar frame of mine was published in The New Indian Express.
The VGP Golden Beach is grounded at the East Coast Road, in the Chenai city suburbs. The resort is perhaps the nearest to the city center. It takes about 25 minutes to reach the place from the heart of the city.
The resort is essentially an amusement park located close to Chennai's city center. The resort comprises of some lush green parks that are lined up with some wonderful trees. VGP Golden Beach Resort offers a nice place as egress from the techno life. Well paved side walks, parks and the shades of the trees provide a natural climate that is quite refreshing. The resort hosts a number of activities for fun and frolic. The popular rides and games at the resort include go-kart, dashing car, water chute, super trooper, giant wheel, aero-ship, jumping frog, children's merry go round, super jet, break dance, dragons belly, jungle safari, roller coaster etc.
Was at Mylapore today to attend the Mylapore Festival which is conducted by Sundaram Finance every year. All great cities have a soul. Mylapore can rightfully claim to be the soul of Chennai city here in south India. It pre-dates Chennai's birth and has seen the city grow as it has, its own. Mylapore retains the look and feel of an old neighborhood, the culture and heritage typically south Indian, yet it has not escaped development. This place then is also just the setting for a cultural festival. That is why the Sundaram Finance sponsored Mylapore Festival is organised every year in January, on the eve of the local harvest festival of Pongal.
Welcome to Sigma Event Management, one of Chennai’s premier event management companies for both corporate and private events. We pride ourselves on the quality of service we over throughout the planning process and the delivery of events which exceed our client’s expectation. This is why client’s return to us time and time again.
Within this site you will see the range of events we specialise in including; celebration parties, corporate hospitality, award ceremonies, product launches, conferences and private events which require professional event management services.
Read our case studies and if you don’t find the information you are looking for please contact us via our quick and easy callback form or call 91 98840 47042 and we will be happy to discuss your needs
The scramble is on for shopping on the occasion of Diwali...The Premier festival of India...This was a scene at the busy T.Nagar junction...Chennai's most prominent shopping area....
Welcome to Sigma Event Management, one of Chennai’s premier event management companies for both corporate and private events. We pride ourselves on the quality of service we over throughout the planning process and the delivery of events which exceed our client’s expectation. This is why client’s return to us time and time again.
Within this site you will see the range of events we specialise in including; celebration parties, corporate hospitality, award ceremonies, product launches, conferences and private events which require professional event management services.
Read our case studies and if you don’t find the information you are looking for please contact us via our quick and easy callback form or call 91 98840 47042 and we will be happy to discuss your needs
Human overpopulation?
What about these?
The breeding program at Chennai's crocodile park is so good, that there is an overpopulation of the muggers (refer next picture). One pool had so many of these crocs.
Luckily they dont eat much - their metabolism is less than half of ours. Otherwise it would make the crocodile park very poor.
Chennai India.
Was at Mylapore today to attend the Mylapore Festival which is conducted by Sundaram Finance every year. All great cities have a soul. Mylapore can rightfully claim to be the soul of Chennai city here in south India. It pre-dates Chennai's birth and has seen the city grow as it has, its own. Mylapore retains the look and feel of an old neighborhood, the culture and heritage typically south Indian, yet it has not escaped development. This place then is also just the setting for a cultural festival. That is why the Sundaram Finance sponsored Mylapore Festival is organised every year in January, on the eve of the local harvest festival of Pongal.
Was at Mylapore today to attend the Mylapore Festival which is conducted by Sundaram Finance every year. All great cities have a soul. Mylapore can rightfully claim to be the soul of Chennai city here in south India. It pre-dates Chennai's birth and has seen the city grow as it has, its own. Mylapore retains the look and feel of an old neighborhood, the culture and heritage typically south Indian, yet it has not escaped development. This place then is also just the setting for a cultural festival. That is why the Sundaram Finance sponsored Mylapore Festival is organised every year in January, on the eve of the local harvest festival of Pongal.
All great cities have a soul. Mylapore can rightfully claim to be the soul of Chennai city here in south India. It pre-dates Chennai's birth in the 17th cent. And has seen the city grow as it has, its own. Mylapore retains the look and feel of an old neighborhood, the culture and heritage typically south Indian, yet it has not escaped development. This place that is proud of its arts, culture and tradition and people is just the setting for a cultural festival. A festival held in its very heart and around a great temple.
www.madrasphotobloggers.com/real-essence-kolam-contest-my...
Mylapore, Chennai,
Tamilnadu.
Welcome to Sigma Event Management, one of Chennai’s premier event management companies for both corporate and private events. We pride ourselves on the quality of service we over throughout the planning process and the delivery of events which exceed our client’s expectation. This is why client’s return to us time and time again.
Within this site you will see the range of events we specialise in including; celebration parties, corporate hospitality, award ceremonies, product launches, conferences and private events which require professional event management services.
Read our case studies and if you don’t find the information you are looking for please contact us via our quick and easy callback form or call 91 98840 47042 and we will be happy to discuss your needs
Was at Mylapore today to attend the Mylapore Festival which is conducted by Sundaram Finance every year. All great cities have a soul. Mylapore can rightfully claim to be the soul of Chennai city here in south India. It pre-dates Chennai's birth and has seen the city grow as it has, its own. Mylapore retains the look and feel of an old neighborhood, the culture and heritage typically south Indian, yet it has not escaped development. This place then is also just the setting for a cultural festival. That is why the Sundaram Finance sponsored Mylapore Festival is organised every year in January, on the eve of the local harvest festival of Pongal.
இன்று பெருந்தலைவர் காமராஜரின் 109-வது பிறந்த தினம்
[இரு வருடம் முன் நான் படித்த பள்ளிக்கு சென்றிருந்த போது எடுத்த படம்]
Today is 109th Birth anniversary of Indian Political Leader K. Kamaraj. He is admired as 'Father of Education' . This photograph was taken 2 years ago, during my visit to the school I studied. Students' expression of gratitude to their beloved leader.
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To know more about him:
K. Kamaraj (15 July 1903[1] – 2 October 1975[2]) was an Indian politician from Tamil Nadu widely acknowledged as the "Kingmaker" in Indian politics during the 1960s. He was the chief minister of Tamil Nadu during 1954-1963 and a Member of Parliament during 1952-1954 and 1969-1975. He was known for his simplicity and integrity. He was involved in the Indian independence movement. As a high ranking office bearer of the Indian National Congress, he was instrumental in bringing to power two Prime Ministers, Lal Bahadur Shastri in 1964 and Indira Gandhi in 1966.
In Tamil Nadu, his home state, he is still remembered for bringing school education to millions of the rural poor by introducing free education and the free Midday Meal Scheme during his tenure as chief minister. He was awarded India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, posthumously in 1976. The domestic terminal of the Chennai airport is named "Kamaraj Terminal", Chennai's Beach Road renamed "Kamarajar Salai", Bengaluru's North Parade Road as "K. Kamaraj Rd." and the Madurai Kamaraj University in his honour.
Thanks: Wikipedia
Was at Mylapore today to attend the Mylapore Festival which is conducted by Sundaram Finance every year. All great cities have a soul. Mylapore can rightfully claim to be the soul of Chennai city here in south India. It pre-dates Chennai's birth and has seen the city grow as it has, its own. Mylapore retains the look and feel of an old neighborhood, the culture and heritage typically south Indian, yet it has not escaped development. This place then is also just the setting for a cultural festival. That is why the Sundaram Finance sponsored Mylapore Festival is organised every year in January, on the eve of the local harvest festival of Pongal.
All great cities have a soul. Mylapore can rightfully claim to be the soul of Chennai city here in south India. It pre-dates Chennai's birth in the 17th cent. And has seen the city grow as it has, its own. Mylapore retains the look and feel of an old neighborhood, the culture and heritage typically south Indian, yet it has not escaped development. This place that is proud of its arts, culture and tradition and people is just the setting for a cultural festival. A festival held in its very heart and around a great temple.
www.madrasphotobloggers.com/real-essence-kolam-contest-my...
Mylapore, Chennai,
Tamilnadu.
The National Art Gallery in the Museum complex can be considered the city’s first exhibition gallery. Built in Mughal-Jaipuri style with a pink sandstone façade, Chennai polished cement finish inside and marble flooring, it was designed by Henry Irwin who succeeded Chisholm to create many of the best-known public buildings of Chennai. The building originated as an exhibition hall for the Victoria Technical Institute, founded to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee and intended to help local craftsmen and nurture the traditional handicrafts. When Queen Victoria died, the VTI decided to create a memorial for her and a home for itself. And so was raised one of the most striking buildings in Chennai, built as the Victoria Memorial Hall and Technical Institute and opening its doors in 1909. When the Government took over the building during World War II, the VTI moved to Mount Road and has stayed put there.
After the War, the Central Government advocated a National Art Gallery in each of the four metros and the Victoria Memorial Hall consequently became Chennai’s National Gallery. Together, the neighbouring Gallery of Contemporary Indian Art, which opened in 1984, and the National Gallery have a valuable collection of paintings of the 19th and 20th Centuries, the only permanent art exhibit in town. The host of other small galleries that have sprung up in recent years offer short-term art exhibitions reflecting a growing interest in Art in Chennai as a medium of expression, as a piece of interior décor and as an investment.
www.globaladjustments.com/nlnov00.html
Now the building is in dilapidated condition. The building is sealed as you in another photograph and I see a board which warns the visitors not to sit or come near the building
Chennai's tagging.
Political slogans, names of, um 'leaders', and stuff like that get painted on walls on a daily basis, here in Chennai.
Last October, Chennai's Vendalur Zoo welcomed 4 little heterozygous tiger cubs (2 male and 2 female). This young tiger cub, one of the four, which were born to a tawny Royal Bengal Tiger father (named Vijay) and a white Bengal Tiger mother (named Namrutha). The names of two male tiger cubs are Devaa and Nakulaa and two female cubs are Kalaa and Maalaa, as named by Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister.
One of the cubs were playing in mid-day by watching upwards by placing its front paws against the tree trunk.
PS: Heterozygous: a hybrid containing genes for two unlike forms of a characteristic, and therefore not breeding true to type.
The clouds above Chennai were a sight to behold last evening. Went all the way to the beach to be able to shoot this with some of Chennai's oldest buildings in the foreground. By the time we made it to the beach though; the clouds had receded more than we had hoped they would. So, rather than having the building as the main focus, decided to go wide and employ the clouds as the main subject.
Included one of the domes of the Madras University in the frame as well and decided to give this photo an aged effect; to get that vintage feel to the city I love.
The clouds in the frame are termed as Altocumulus Clouds.
Hope you all have had a fantastic start to 2012. Sadly, Japan hasn't had a great start. Let's hope and pray the damage isn't going to be great this time.
Welcome to Sigma Event Management, one of Chennai’s premier event management companies for both corporate and private events. We pride ourselves on the quality of service we over throughout the planning process and the delivery of events which exceed our client’s expectation. This is why client’s return to us time and time again.
Within this site you will see the range of events we specialise in including; celebration parties, corporate hospitality, award ceremonies, product launches, conferences and private events which require professional event management services.
Read our case studies and if you don’t find the information you are looking for please contact us via our quick and easy callback form or call 91 98840 47042 and we will be happy to discuss your needs
Dhobi Khana, is one of the oldest washing place in Chennai(Chetpet). It's been functioning since 1902. In the early 1980s, the washing area went through a renovation. This dhobikhana thrives on orders from hospitals, hotels and salons. With its 128 washing stones and restrooms, three ironing sheds and a Metro Water supply that is exclusive to this dhobikhana, parts of this 20-ground washing area retains its old-world charm. The Washing area receives water from a 24hour metro water pipeline. Life has come a long way for the families that occupy Chennai's oldest dhobikhana. The dhobiwalas live as a family together staying on the houses built near the washing area. The kids, who belong here, are ambitious and they do go to school.
Welcome to Sigma Event Management, one of Chennai’s premier event management companies for both corporate and private events. We pride ourselves on the quality of service we over throughout the planning process and the delivery of events which exceed our client’s expectation. This is why client’s return to us time and time again.
Within this site you will see the range of events we specialise in including; celebration parties, corporate hospitality, award ceremonies, product launches, conferences and private events which require professional event management services.
Read our case studies and if you don’t find the information you are looking for please contact us via our quick and easy callback form or call 91 98840 47042 and we will be happy to discuss your needs
I have never taken photographs in rain before. My other cameras never had a fast lens. And it did not rain so much after I got this camera.
I set the ISO setting as high as I could and made the most of my drive through the city. I took some shots from the office windows as well.
Chennai's traffic is as chaotic in normal times except that traffic is heavier.
Best part of the photo above is the top left corner.
Was at Mylapore today to attend the Mylapore Festival which is conducted by Sundaram Finance every year. All great cities have a soul. Mylapore can rightfully claim to be the soul of Chennai city here in south India. It pre-dates Chennai's birth and has seen the city grow as it has, its own. Mylapore retains the look and feel of an old neighborhood, the culture and heritage typically south Indian, yet it has not escaped development. This place then is also just the setting for a cultural festival. That is why the Sundaram Finance sponsored Mylapore Festival is organised every year in January, on the eve of the local harvest festival of Pongal.
The Raintree Hotel - St Marys Road, Our luxury business hotel features stylish guest rooms, personalized services and convenient access to many of Chennai's exciting cultural attractions.
One of the most memorable IPL games was played here: Chennai’s M.S. Dhoni smashed Punjab’s Irfan Pathan for a finals-qualifying six, and then upper cut himself with his glove like a pumped up boxer. Cricket commentators have called it the most beautiful cricket ground in the country. On a clear day, you can see a series of mountains hang out in the distance, providing a tremendous backdrop to the stadium.
Disappointment, however, was my prominent feeling when I walked into Dharamshala’s HPCA Stadium on an overcast August afternoon. A wall of grey clouds obscured what was supposed to be an incredible view. There was no visible pitch in the center to contrast the green outfield. The stands, only one of which was open to visitors, looked to be in desperate need of a paint job. And there was no information anywhere about the history of the place.
I went up to a security guard, hoping that he would grant me access to the pavilion or some other stand.
“Can I see any other stand here?” I asked.
“No.”
“Is there anyone here that I can talk to? A groundsman, maybe?”
“No.”
“Have you seen a match here?”
“No.”
“Okay last question, I promise. Anything interesting happen here while you were on duty?”
“Yes. Once Gilchrist hit a 6 and the ball came all the way here to the entrance.”
---
A Return to Himachal (Part 7 of 14)
Facebook: www.facebook.com/niyantha
Was at Mylapore today to attend the Mylapore Festival which is conducted by Sundaram Finance every year. All great cities have a soul. Mylapore can rightfully claim to be the soul of Chennai city here in south India. It pre-dates Chennai's birth and has seen the city grow as it has, its own. Mylapore retains the look and feel of an old neighborhood, the culture and heritage typically south Indian, yet it has not escaped development. This place then is also just the setting for a cultural festival. That is why the Sundaram Finance sponsored Mylapore Festival is organised every year in January, on the eve of the local harvest festival of Pongal.
That's the Marina, the world's second largest beach sometime during the Tsunami. Chennai's coastline was permanently altered.
See the Marina on the next day here.
Well, I'm not sure if his name is Siva, but I sure will ask him about it the next time I meet him. So until then let us assume that this is Siva!
So who is he? He is just another of those thousand kids who spend their weekends on the Sands of Chennai's beaches hawking various stuff - from Kites to Cotton Candy to Balloons and what not. Only this time, Siva here is a Tea seller. Saturday evenings, the hours of relaxation at the beach to you and me, are his peak sales hours.
I was almost done with my shots for that night and had just sat down for a breather as there was little available light to shoot when I notcied him playfully stroll across me along with his younger brother. I tried to take a quick shot of them fully knowing that even the f/1.8 would do me no help in making a post-worthy picture. Even though I was discrete, my camera caught his eye and he came running towards me wanting to see the results. He then posed for a solo portrait.
His prized possession is the "Eagle" branded flask that would hold about two dozen cups of hot chai. In fact, he was so proud of it that went on to demonstrate to me that the flask was spill-proof by vigorously shaking it. Not surprisingly, he was not willing to part with it and held it up right at his chest while posing for the shot.
While the fact that he has to go through this rigorous ordeal even on his time off from School (if he ever goes to one that is) strikes a sour note, the not so glaring nuance that I pick up from this kid is the fact that he manages to wear a smile on his face and enjoy the night as much as the rest of us who get to laze around on Saturday evenings. Plus, he doesn't whine about having to work on weekends. Does he?
To me he is the true young entrepreneur!
Was at Mylapore today to attend the Mylapore Festival which is conducted by Sundaram Finance every year. All great cities have a soul. Mylapore can rightfully claim to be the soul of Chennai city here in south India. It pre-dates Chennai's birth and has seen the city grow as it has, its own. Mylapore retains the look and feel of an old neighborhood, the culture and heritage typically south Indian, yet it has not escaped development. This place then is also just the setting for a cultural festival. That is why the Sundaram Finance sponsored Mylapore Festival is organised every year in January, on the eve of the local harvest festival of Pongal.
i was a little surprised to find these pea eggplants next to the purple indian eggplants as i'm only familiar with the thai pea eggplants in green curry :P
Pea Aubergine: A Seasonal Secret Ingredient Used in South India
Ashwin Rajagopalan | Updated: March 16, 2017 15:39 IST
There's an unmatched thrill in bumping into someone from your school or city in the most unexpected corner of the world. It's almost the same thrill when you find an ingredient you have grown up with in a completely unexpected milieu or cuisine. It's what I experienced when I bit into a pea aubergine in a Thai Green curry at Benjarong, Chennai's first Thai restaurant more than a decade ago. It was only my second fine dining Thai experience; my first was the Thai Pavilion (at the Vivanta by Taj - President) in Mumbai. In Thailand, it's known as Makhuea phuang and it's called Sundakkai in Tamil Nadu. Solanum Torvum has been called everything from turkey berry to wild eggplant to pea aubergine. These berries look like green peas - it's easy to mistake them for green peas in curries except that they contain brown seeds that lend the berries their bitter flavour.
It's this bitter taste that makes it the perfect ingredient for the famous Sundakkai Vatha Kuzhambu or Kara Kuzhambu. In Tamil Nadu, this berry is not available around the year. One reason why it's common for Sundakkai to be sundried and deep fried as crispies (like the bitter gourd crispies) that can be added to gravies and More Kuzhambu (crafted with tempered butter milk). Aside from the Thai green curry, the pea aubergine is also added (uncooked) to Thai chilli pastes.
The pea aubergine is believed to be a native plant of the Central American region. It is used in Jamaican cuisine and rumoured to be used in Haitian voodoo rituals. You don't need to know voodoo to extract the health benefits of this berry though (our recipes should do!). The pea aubergine is rich in nutrients and is a good source of calcium and iron. It has been recommended for a variety of ailments from stomach disorders to diabetes. I remember my grandmother adding Sundakkai powder to her 'go to' herbal mix - Angaya Podi (it also features dried neem flowers) that works wonders for digestive disorders and is good for new mothers.
Source: food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/pea-aubergine-a-seasonal-secret...