THIS TOUCHED MY LIFE

My latest write up in the small and smart column.....True gifts! how it has touched my life! I hope more people will start giving their near and dear ones true gifts!

http://www.hindu.com/rp/2009/06/28/stories/2009062850080200.htm

KNIT INDIA LAUNCH.....AND THE TRUE KNIT INDIA CUISINE

Tamil scholars on the dias, giving the best of their speeches ( some of them even refusing to shut up in all the excitement) and a hall packed with receptive audience, was the scene at the launch of Knit India Volume 4 by Sivasankari. Sitting in the hall, in the midst of the who's who of Chennai was an amazing experience. I am only glad I understand tamil well. Cho Ramaswamy was outstanding. His sense of humor left the audience in splits, While poet Vairamuthu took off in this typically poetic language and went overboard talking. He didnt really want to wind up. Sivasankari is an amazing write- writer of writers as everyone described her- and she said she was trying to show India to Indians through this book. she stressed on the need for people to visit places in our country and appreciate the beauty of the traditions. Her description of the Gangai Aarthi at Varanasi was spell binding. The prolonged book launch came to an end much to the delight of the audience and they were treated to some authentic cuisine from across the country. The expertise of Nina Reddy- my dear friend- whom Sivasankari introduced as her daughter and even told people about her musical tone of talking- was seen in the way the food was organized. The hall was split into 4 zones- North, South, East and West. The theplas and chat from the west, Pulao and paneer from the north, Luchi bhaaji and Rosogollas from the east and mami's kozhakattai;s, murukku, dosai and pradamam from the south were all amazing. I truly loved the mami's sitting there and making kozhakattai's- my greatest weakness. What a tribute this food arrangement was to the 16 years of Sivasankari's hard work was! And only Nina could do this! Love you! For having invited me and for the lovely experience I had rubbing shoulders with scholars! Truly a memorable book launch and a befitting tribute to writer Sivasankari!