What beholds you in the land of the Tamizh? Beyond the beaches, temples and filter Kaapi!
Piping hot Venpongal ( lentils and cooked rice ) floating in ghee, and a steaming cup of Thayirsaadam (seasoned curd rice) show up in a brazen spirit- unmindful of the notorious heat of Tamil Nadu. Served and savoured with religious fervour, the flavour doubles up, when distributed as prasadam in temples (in a dhonnai or arecanut leaf cups). The aromas waft along with the smoke of incense sticks and camphor. The temple bells chime to the devotional rendition by M S Subbulakshmi(also a Bharat Ratna recipient) , welcoming dawn. To the symphony of the doyen of Carnatic music, the waves of the sea also rise in a crescendo. Lashing out near the shore, the moored catamarans are set sailing in the sea- along the Coromandel coast. The men spread the nets, while women make arrangements to sell the prize catch of the day! The saline smell however does not elbow out the fragrance of jasmine as flower sellers make a throng in the markets. Some find their niche hotspot outside temples, esp...