Mission Akkaravadeisal- Aadi Tiruvadipooram

With marriage people say life changes and priorities change. Well fact remains they are not wrong. A person like me who had hardly entered the world of kitchen can these days manage the basics of cooking comfortably with all ease. Of course the list goes one from Kareamdu, Koolambu, Mooru Koolamabu , Kootu, Kadaarrchi Paachadi etc etc. After all I am able to manage the tales of wedded life easily.



With all this came Aadi Tiruvadipooram, a very special occasion for the Tamilians and especially the Iyengar Sect, for on this day Aandal (Goda Devi) an incarnation of Bhoomi devi celebrates her TiruNaaksharam which falls on the pooram start in the month of Aadi.

This year it was on 12 Aug 2010, Thursday. Last year was quiet memorable as I managed to make a quick trip to Srivalliputtur, Janamastanam of Aandal and do the darshan.

Aandal takes a prime seat as one of the Aalwars and also being daughter of Peri Aalwar. She has sung Tirupavai a song of 30 hymns and Nachiyar Thirumozhi a song of 143 hymns in praise of the lord Sri Ranganatha.


Akkaravedisal is one of the many dishes that takes a lot of prominence in the history.
Aandal in her pursuit to marry Raangamanar,Prays to the lord at Thirumalirunjolai (near Madurai TamilNadu ) and promises to offer butter in 100 vessels and Akkaravadeisal (A sweet dish with mixture of rice and daal cooked in Milk with jaggery and ghee ) in 100 vessels to Lord of Thirumalirunjolai so the Lord may come in person and marry her.
On her marriage with the lord when she was unable to fulfill this promise, she seeks the help of Sri Ramanujar to help her fulfill this wish. Ramanujar fulfills this wish for her and she credits Ramanujar with title Anna ( elder brother). Even to this day Nooru Thade utsavam ( Koodar Vellam) is celebrated in all glory in Melukote.



Now that I have shared the historical significance on the dish and the day let me now share with you my days experience and recipe.
It being my first Tiruvaadipooram after marriage and me being a staunch follower of Aandal decided to make this special dish. After a hard days work at office I picked up ingredients on way back and made a special request to my aunt to let me use her kitchen. Thankfully my aunt let me experiment in her kitchen.

Thanks to google , I had managed to search various methods of preparation on the Internet while I also took help from mom and acquaintance's in Srivalliputtur to put together the recipe in its proper order.


To all the readers here goes the recipe
Akkaravadeisal- This is not Sakkarpongal or Kalebele Payasa as many get confused.

Preparation Time 2 hrs minimum ( Trust me, it took this long)
Quantity- Serves 6-8
Ingredients-
Rice- Washed and Drained-1/2 small Cup
Kadalebele/Kadale parapu/- 1/2 small Cup
Hesrubele/Paitham parapu / Green Gram- 1/2 small cup
Jaggery- 2 cups ( As per taste)
Ghee- 1/2 Cup
Milk- 1.5 lts
Cardamom Powder- 1 tbsp
Pachakarpoora- 1 small piece
Safforn/Kesari- 6 strands
Milkmaid - 6 spoons ( my version, optional)
Cashew- 10-12 finely cut
Almonds- 10-12 Finely cut
Raisins- 10-12


In a mixer coarse the raw kadlebele. Make sure the powder is coarse and not fine
Take a frying pan, add 2 tbsp of ghee and on Sim flame fry the coarse Kadlebele ,Heserubele and washed and drained rice till the rice turns golden brown. Make sure you do it in Sim flame so that you don't over fry.

Take a pressure cooker and added this fried mixture along with 1 lt of milk, mix well and 2 tbsp of ghee. Pressure cook it for 8-10 whistle ( This again would depend on the pressure cooker)
The mixture should be well mashed.
Now add 250 ml milk with Jaggery, milkmaid and keep stirring, add ghee, saffron, pachakarpoora, cardamom powder and stir well. Keep adding milk till the mixture is semi solid ( Neither too thick for a burfi nor too liquid for Payasam).
Garnish with fried Cashew, almonds and Raisins


Note : The dish should be in a semi solid state, add more milk to get the consistency or if the milk is more stir well so that the consistency is achieved.


Trust me it tasted real yum, and not to forget all those who tasted appreciated the akkaravadeisal and the maker ( That is your Truly Me) for all the good efforts and taste of course.

Thankfully my aunt was happy that I didn't ruin her kitchen at the end of the day. Even more importantly I was happy that my cooking skills have really developed and reached fairly decent heights in last 7 months. Kudos! With Pat on the back "Job Well Done".


In this whole process I learnt my lessons that nothing is Rocket Science except Rocket Science.

Happy Cooking and Keep Smiling.


P.S. Note of Thanks, My aunt for letting me use her kitchen, mom and aunt in srivalliputtur for helping me with putting the recipe in order. All my uncles and aunts for tasting it, Granny and mom for helping me understand the importance of the event and significance of dish and also helping me with some historical facts.

Please forgive me if any of the historical fact is misrepresented, I have just posted what I have heard from various sources and of course Internet. And million thanks to Google for being the best search tool!

Past and Present

Time just flies, the saying time and tide waits for none... must be true!

Its August now, mid year reviews are already complete on professional front and I thought it was time to do a self review on the year thats passed by and the year that is running.

Last year (2009) this time, dad was back home after series of hospitalizations and early this year he left us to destiny to manage our own lives.

This time last year, the groom hunt was in full swing, I married the love of my life early this year. Its irony I know, to lose my dad just weeks before the wedding. A fact too hard to accept till date.

2009 remarkably year marked the welcoming of my new car. Hoping yet another good surprise in 2010 ...( 4 more months for the next year to begin)

I blogged at an average of one blog a month, while 2010 had a compressed effect of one blog in months!

Met friends more often,movies were a sure hit with most first day first shows even for the big flops, while this year I have barely managed to watch 4...Bad thats very bad to score on!

Reading has been fairly consistent with average of 8 books an year and I am glad that I have managed to maintain with 8 closing in Early August.

Travel wise, 2009 had little to be explored while I managed with a decent bit 2010.

Skills acquired in 2009 were zilch except for polishing the writers nook, credits in 2010 seems good with cooking expertise and car driving taking the lead. 2010 also earned me an additional degree now thats the feather on the cap!

Farm ville and Facebook continues to occupy my space for prime time in both the years, while every time I login I recount my fathers words " Try accommodating me in your prime time".

UNO, was a family hit in 2009, Monopoly has taken the lead this year, amazing comeback after 10 years!

Father's day was memorable last year with my little nephew entering the world,this year it left me void without the presence of my appa.

Family outings and parties were abundant last year, this year the parties have been relatively low.

Exercise and workouts were prime focus in the past, while this year I cant recount any schedule. This now rings alarms with high priority notes flagged!

Shopping has been consistent with last year,while the kind of shopping has drastically changed.

Inflexible me in 2009, has now been shaped to flexible woman in 2010.

Tolerance and Patience which were in red last year have started turning to shades closer to green, maybe one can call them yellow!

Life's frequency has been quiet varied over the years.

Things have radically changed, priorities have so drastically shifted,time has just swept its boundaries, I have already become an year older, married over 7 months.

Wow. I am now amazed at the candid evaluation I have drawn from the year that passed and the year thats running, while I know its time to buckle up shoe on few activities.

Have fun, while I take the run!

Colours in life...

I woke up to the sound of birds and brewed my coffee
As I sipped I had a thought, a thought too strong

Born as eldest and pampered most
Cared and nursed with lot of hope
Hope that one day I will raise and shine to reach the sky, glittering in the path well laid
I grew into a girl with abundant dreams to reach the sky and soar high
I learnt to lace my shoe and do my hair
At age of three that was too ahead
I carried my own satchel the mass was more than the fragile shoulder could bear
That made me strong as I moved ahead
I tendered the younger and bore their weight; they enjoyed the dance in sun and the rain
They made castle in sand ,I crafted their castle holding their hand
I let go off toys for them to play, I learnt to play right cards of life’s game
I went to school to learn, that taught me ways to earn
I went to Bank at the age of ten, to know what a fortune meant
I went up the attic to clear the muddle
Came down to find a puddle … a leaking tap
Took the rinch to tighten the gap
Only to realize I missed my nap….

I wonder what I did, in my pursuit to realize my dream
Where have the emotions run? In this dead rock
Did I get too independent, unable to connect?
Did I want to do it all alone? Or did I know It never could be done
Did I chase an unrealistic vision? A Vision to touch the sky
Have I lost hope, or have I lost the path
Am I too strong or am I a fragile rock
I know I am the wall too strong, but I also know that there is a force that holds the wall
I seek help from force above to guide the wall to stay strong for a little long

Irutu kadia experience

For those of you who are not acquainted with Tamil, Irutu means Dark and Kadia refers to shop. In whole put together it refers to Shop with no light or Dark shop.

Life has been pretty hectic over last few month, so many things to prioritize, so many things to action, both professionally and personally. Random Checklists, Mobile organizers with notes tapped on, sudden flash in the brain have now become my routine life. Travel has also become an integral part of this new life which changed so suddenly. I guess I moved from one phase to another rather too quickly.

Last weekend, we (V and me) chose to spend time with V’s parents in his hometown Tirunellveli.
I got some amazing insights from my super smart husband as to how the name was coined with also some references to history. Nell in Tamil refers to Paddy and Velli is fence.

Legend says that there lived a Tamil Brahmin in this town. He was a priest in the temple which was covered in Bamboo forest. This humble man prayed and worshipped the god ritualistically .There was time when the city witnessed famine. Being very modest he would collect paddy from people and give it away to people in need. On a fine morning he spread out the paddy to dry under the sunlight and went for his ritual ablution in the river. Suddenly a thunderstorm broke out and it rained heavily. The Priest was worried about the paddy he had spread. He ran to collect it but to his surprise he saw was nothing short of a miracle.
Not a drop of rain had fallen on the paddy he had laid out to dry. It is believed that god himself protected the paddy in priest's absence.
Since then, the city has been called Tirunellveli -- 'Tiru' meaning respectable, 'Nel' meaning paddy, and 'Veli' meaning a protective fence.
In other words, the etymology relates to the city having paddy fields as a protective fence.

Coming back to my experience, we landed in Tirunellveli on Early Saturday morning with temperatures soaring high, for a Bangalorean like me it was taking me straight from the refrigerator and microwaving me at 120C.
We took a local auto to reach home. Something that really caught my eye was the Autos which had doors on both sides. (Protective gates to ensure that Passengers do not fall) After all bargaining on fare with the Auto Drivers we sat in and started witnessing the hustle bustle on our little tour homeward.

V’s parents were earnestly waiting to welcome us. We went in freshened ourselves with hot cup of freshly brewed coffee. Later in the morning we started to Callvoy about 30 mins drive from home. Drive was an exciting experience with both sides of the road either had the banana farms or paddy fields well laid. All I could relate to was to my little virtual Farm in Face book which I religiously maintain and tend.

Calvoy is probably one place very carefully chosen by nature to experience god. A forest like experience with absolutely no human interference with a large pond (Though it was dry, being peak summer) with a small shrine amidst nature. We finished our Darshan and backward journey was filled with similar experience except that summer heat soared high with every passing minute. The only thing on my mind was to drink, drink and drink water.

Coming home was like entering a haven after an exciting but tiring journey.
We rested and started towards the Nelliappar temple located in the heart of the city in the evening .This temple is steeped in tradition and Known for its spectacular sculptures’.
Before we entered the temple we decided to purchase the Tirunellveli Halwa.

A sweet dish made primarily from wheat and sugar. Golden brown in colour with a jelly-like texture and heavily coated with ghee gives it its distinctively greasy appearance. Halwa is said to owe its uniquely rich taste to a special recipe of this region, blended with the renowned sweetness of the Thamarabarani river.

I was told the best place to buy this authentic halwa was from the famous Halwa stores Irutu Kadai (Dark Shop) around Nelliyappar Teample.
The name Irutu Kadai of the former store derives itself from the fact that the looks of the store have been kept unchanged from the date it was started Dark with no bright lights. Till date, there are no bright electrical lights or even a name board to display the shop's brand or name.

We entered the area around 6:30 pm quiet some light from the setting sun. I saw a huge crowd, crowd and assumed somebody had taken onto a brawl. I inquisitively asked V as to what was happening, he gave me a broad grin and said it was the Famous halwa stores and the crowd was to set hands on the mouth watering halwa.
Well now this was a huge task, to break into the crowd and purchase the halwa. I was wondering If ever I would be able to do all the pushing and pulling of people just to set hands on halwa. V instantly eased me and suggested he would face the crowd.
He went while I saw him in all bewilderment if I would ever get the halwa in all the commotion that was happening there, would V be safe in such a mass of people.
He is scuffled and skimmed his way through the front; I waited in all anticipation for him to return.
He had huge smile, a smile of content on winning the combat for those delicious halwas’. While he did this, I also tried to take as many pictures as possible of the famous stores and the good old crowd that gathers everyday morning and evening just to taste this halwa.

With sweet thoughts we entered the Nelliyappar temple –A Massive master piece.

A Wall So Strong

Wall:

I stand here, tall and Strong....

Here comes the Landlord, paints me blue to divulge his pride.

Then comes the Landlady, throws some green just from envy.

Here comes the Son, colours me with crimson to adore the beauty.

Then comes the Daughter,smothers some brown to feel Contemporary.

Here comes a Little Boy to smear me with gold, to sense protection.

Here comes the Wind to trample over, then comes the Rain to rubble me down

Here comes the Sun Bright and warm to say " You are a wall so strong"

Paint me Blue & Paint me Green. Bring on Pink& Bring on Gold.

Blow the wind and Bring the Rain.

But I stand there, tall and strong because I am a wall.

Art of Acceptance & Appreciation

I aimed to soar high in the sky; I realized I had no wings. I learnt the Art of acceptance.
I looked forward to walk; today I can run. I learnt the art of appreciation.

I wanted to dive deep down in the sea and swim; I realized I was not a fish. I learnt the art of acceptance.
I started to read for amusement, today I read for knowledge. I learnt the art of appreciation.

I dreamt of toy house and ginger bread house, I realized life is not a fairy tale. I learnt the art of acceptance.
I longed for a happy family; I was blessed with compassionate family. I learnt the art of appreciation.

I dreamt of cruising the world, I realized I was no captain. I learnt the art of acceptance.
I feared the stage; today I face the crowd. I learnt the art of appreciation.

I solved math to be an engineer, I realized it was too complex. I learnt the art of acceptance.
I took up business administration; I became a successful HR. I learnt the art of appreciation.

I dreamt of making life in a country far, I realized it is beyond reach. I learnt the art of acceptance.
I dreamt for a home, I live under parents’ care and family of comforts. I learnt the art of appreciation.

I called for a long holiday on a distant Island; I realized it was too far. I learnt the art of acceptance.
I sought indulgence; I enjoy the comfort. I learnt the art of appreciation.

I feared wrong decisions,I made many. I learnt the art of acceptance.
I set out to become a strong individual, I gathered courage to face the world. I learnt the art of appreciation.

I wished for un-compromised friendships, I found new, but I lost many good. I learnt the art of acceptance.
I looked for love, found it bountiful. I learnt the art of appreciation.

I longed for friendship; in him I found love. I learnt the art of appreciation.


I hope to forget the past of life’s experiences that taught me as the art of acceptance.
I wish to cherish the moments which life brings in the form of appreciations.

Life is not a bed of Roses. While it taught me the art of acceptance, it also made me realize the value of appreciation.

Me and My cooking experience

Culinary art I suppose is one of the god’s gifts to all those great cooks of the world. The list surely would top with my mothers name followed by my whole array of aunts, uncles and cousins, who are not only experts in getting the authentic Iyengar Cusine right for those perfect taste buds, who are all well versed with those buttery Panneer butter masala and those crispy gobi manchuriens.

Well for someone like me, cooking is not only an art but rocket science if I may term it. I would prefer more into analysis as to why hp/Compaq merger did not work or rather understand the market behavior during the slowdown, may be to do a little more justice to my profession I prefer to exercise my brain on how to train cross functional teams.

Well now that my wedding is planned for late February, there is enough pressure for the D day, to add a little more spice to this is, one hell a statement from all “Learn Cooking” This source of statement comes from all possible channels right from my mother to my fiancé who knows my culinary expertise is an absolute zilch. Well every time I hear that I feel like yelling to the sky “Why me??” Every time I try to ponder for an answer through various source I get to hear various hilarious response in my head ( my opinion)

Girls should know cooking; - My brain is already questioning “What about the opposite sex?” They sit and eat??? Well I love to as well.

It’s important that every Indian woman know cooking so husbands are happy- the next I can imagine is a TV ad where a happy family is portrayed while newly wed wife is serving her husband and mother in law eating in all silence, while husband gives some hard core exercise to his taste buds and tries to break the silence while saying “ Tumahara Kaana , Maa ke haath ke Kaana se accha hain” ( Your cooking is more tastier then mom cooking) While the Wife blushes and mom all shocked the camera rolls to the oil she uses.
I try to relate this, and then I get horrified, I can never do this! I say to myself “Hey I don’t need a certificate for being a good cook!” I'm not a foodie by nature, but I certainly would need an edible stubance for food.

Well before I lose the essence of this blog let me share my most awaited sought after experience of the day. The day could not have started more perfect rather imperfect after the aftermath of my experience. I wake up to the call of the milk man, get my self a sizzling hot cuppa well brewed coffee( I did my own) and sit back and relax savoring the aroma. Then my phone rings, mom on the other end, we exchange quick talks and few important stuff, later goes the instructions “ Keep the Rava Idly Batter ready by the time I am back home” Well I know this is my chance to learn the great skill and I readily agree and pounce on it.
Once I am done with my daily routine, I realize I have ample time to even make my breakfast and follow this instruction from mom; I set my self to make the most basic south Indian breakfast the great good old upma. And my upma is ready in straight 4 mins thanks to the makers of microwave and MTR for coming up with instant dishes.
Well fortunately for me the Upma is not only edible but also good to taste, my sister gobbles up the entire chunk on my pestering and dashes out… alas now I am left with no breakfast.

The speed of my learning adds to the motivation and I say to myself, why wait for amma to make the idly, I can bake them myself while I set my self to do it. After the entire process is complete I go back and open my book on “ How to Manage Cross Functional Teams”, while on the stove my Idlys are getting baked ( I assume) 15 mins up, I go, turn down the stove and carefully place the cooker on the all polished granite slab! My Fiance calls in to check how the day is faring, I answer the call with all excitement to update him on my new initiative he calls me responsible and flowers all the good praises on me !
All is fine till here, I am happy, my mood is good; I know I can survive the tales of married life.
Then there is big horror in store for me, I open the lid only to find my last two trays are no longer idlys, my last try is a watery idly soup while my second tray is a full fledged idly cake while only my top tray appears like what looks like Idly’s…. as I clean up the mess. I think on how to get the damn thing right and what went wrong, while I fail to hit the answer, my mom shows up at the door and say’s I was all right except that the water level in the stem container was a little high. Now this is something to learn.

I go back to my book on cross functional teams, as I flip the pages( I know I am not able to concentrate) I think back on all that happened, horrors grip me, I am totally flabbergasted.. .“How will I manage the great iyengar cuisine? Will I be ever able to mix the pulliyogere in its right proportions, I question myself. At this rate I wouldn’t even come anywhere close to making stuff like koolambu, kootu and keraiamdu my daily basic food which involves list of masalas and hard core processes.

Management processes are a lot more simpler then the cooking process you can be assured of that.

Then I wonder how women manage both cooking and work. There are series of unrelated question hitting my mind, without waiting for a minute I go back and put the book on the shelf while I pull out the book on Authentic Iyengar Cuisine…..I know lot of effort has to be built- in for me to achieve the level of mastery that my folks have been tagged with. With detered hope I enter the world of kitchen… invoking the blessing of Nala know for his culinary expertise.