Shashi Tharoor has always a smart turn of phrase to go with his hair and flair. Without going into other aspects, I agree with him on his statement that a man's relationship with idli reveals a lot about his Samskara (cultural evolution).
I have decided, just after a lovely Idli, chutney, and pure coffee (black) breakfast, to categorise men by their Idli predilections. There are nine categories.
1. "Idli, what's THAT!?" - A caveman abducted and dropped by an unfriendly UFO in East Mada Street Mylapore at breakfast time.
2. " Yes, now what did you call it? Idli, of course, isn't it that round white thing eaten by people who have no taste buds?" - a boring Englishman who thinks meat pie is the be-all and end-all of food.
3. " Idli, yes, would love to try it, does it go with Ketchup?" - a much-to-be pitied NRI.
4. " Lekin Yaar, I prefer my Sambhurr with Medu Vadda and not idli." - A Northie who proclaims that Tandoori Chicken defines Indian cuisine.
5. "Bengaluru Idlis are great but they don't know a thing about Sambar, macha." A Madrassi who thinks he invented Idli Sambar before God invented man.
6. "Have you tried Idli with 5 chutneys at Madurai Idli shop? Heavenly! " A Singaporean.
7. "Here is the winner from Hot Hot Tiruchirapalli, India. Idli with Mutton Kurma!" - Gordon Ramsay.
8. " Rama Rama! Poor innocent Idli. Why do these vulgar people torture it by mashing it up in hot and spicy sambar?" Saint Thyagaraja.
9. " The pinnacle of Indian civilization, that holds a torch for all mankind in culture and refinement, is its invention, before the Mesopotamian era in history, of the delicacy called the Idli - since perfected over centuries in Kerala's royal kitchens by Malabar's master chefs who steamed it in the finest Ochlandra Travancorica woks. " Shashi Tharoor.
What do you now say about the Idli!? It's a mirror to your Soul!
