My mother tongue

When I was around 10 years old, Andhra Association in Rourkela invited a legend in the form of ANR, one who stood equal to NTR in his acting capabilities...
My father being an active member of the group took us kids and my mom to meet him personally. ANR himself never graduated from college and so was very insistent that every person must at least graduate. Second, he emphasized that how ever many languages we learn, we must first learn our mother tongue fluently. He also helped fund some Telugu language tutoring schools in Rourkela in those days.
I endorse his views on this subject. At home we were discouraged from speaking Hindi at which we had become very fluent outside home. We weren't allowed to call our parents mom or dad...it was amma and nanna in Telugu. We were also given weekend lessons in reading and writing Telugu at home, Today I can read and write English, Hindi, Telugu and Oriya all fluently. In fact, when I got married and had to leave Rourkela, I bought "Mo Chabi Bahi" (a primary text book of Oriya language) so that I would not forget Oriya after coming to AP. I love expressing myself in different languages but I feel what's the use of learning so many languages if one doesn't first know his/her own language?
I keep speaking Oriya at home..(tho broken and not too fluent now) so that I don't forget the language. A side-effect also is that....perhaps mine is the only Telugu-speaking family in AP which has never lived in Orissa but understands Oriya quite well .:)
My son went to a CBSE school and had opted for Sanskrit as third language as the school didn't have Telugu. I taught my son how to read and write the language--thankfully this saved him in Warangal where he went to do his Engineering and where all the boards on display are in Telugu...duniya mein jitni bhaashaye seekh sakthe ho, seekho lekin MT first...

Dus Sar Waala

It gives a different feel to see a movie on the first day, the first show… no reviews…just fresh out of the stove and ready to be devoured…

Despite very late booking, I considered myself lucky to have got tickets for Ravan today…

Mani Ratnam movie and a grand London premiere…my fav AB Jr…..i was more than set to watch the movie…

The movie is based on Ramayana… of ravan kidnapping rama’s wife…

ravan is shown in a kind light… perhaps reinforcing the Dravidan concept that ravan was a good guy.

Restrained performances from the otherwise loud actors ravi kissen and govinda come as a pleasant surprise..

Vikram’s role tho not of much length, he made his presence felt…esp praiseworthy was his hard work in dubbing his own lines in Hindi…a imperceptible accent here and there but a HUGE achievement for a person who didn’t know a word of hindi…

AB seemed to replicate his Yuva image…but yes, being at the right age (33) and being tall…he uses his physique to make a powerful statement.

Cinematography by Santosh Sivan is commendable.

Aishwarya is reduced to a screeching, shrieking presence.

Humor…lightly sprinkled in this otherwise dark story also helps bring the much needed relief to this convoluted story line.

Strokes of Mani Ratnam brilliance where AB runs his hand over Aishwarya w/o touching her…just 2 inches away from her skin…very sensuously picturised…

The concept and the climax were great but the movie pulls you down with its erratic narration and meandering script...a wonderful concept gone horribly wrong in execution…

I would give it a 3 on 10…the 3 perhaps because of my bias to AB jr.

Veggie Nook: Saffron Strings

Situated on the first floor opposite to the Reliance digital store at Banjara hills, Saffron Strings restaurant isn’t easily visible from the road. Having opened recently at the beginning of the year, it probably needs some more time to get completely furbished. The quite atmosphere inside with well- spaced tables and soft music being played sets the mood.
This 90-seater serves only vegetarian food and is known more for its reasonably priced buffet. Priced at Rs. 149 for lunch and Rs. 179 for dinner during weekdays, and slightly more during weekends, the buffet with its ample offer is a treat! All together nearly a 50 -item fare is on offer for the buffet. What stand out in the fare are the starters. The Paneer Ajwaini is a dish consisting of one inch squares of paneer sautéed with some chaat masala and powder of carom (ajwain/vamu) in it. Amongst the starters a must-try is the Crispy Potato. The thinly sliced potato wedges are deep fried, tossed with chopped onion and ginger and a sprinkling of sesame seeds added. This is great to taste as care is taken to drain it completely of its oil content and just the right amount of spices added. Also noteworthy is the Bhutta Sheekh kabab an oil-free preparation of boiled potato, mashed vegetables and fresh corn. This dough-like mix is then baked in the tandoor, sliced and served with green mint chutney. This preparation does call for a second or third helping.
What is also one of the attractions of the buffet is the chaat counter with its offer of papidi chaat and paani puris. Which Hyderabadi would resist this? Also available is the live counter with its offer of dosas and phulkas. The phulkas made of whole wheat flour, just about 3” across, are delightfully puffed and one can keep eating them. The soup can be a bit disappointing though. The Hot and Sour soup which generally makes your eyes water and your nose run was rather nondescript and bland. Perhaps the use of soya base rather than a vegetable stock as a base has weakened the taste. Though care is taken to cook the food in optimum oil, the curries in the buffet could do with a little more amount of spices. There is a good range of food in the buffet with 6 types of starters and salads, around 6 curries, 2 Chinese dishes, 6 types of Indian bread, different accompaniments like papad, crisps and pickle and lastly seven types of desserts which are a part of the sumptuous buffet. The gulab jamuns amongst the desserts are worth trying.Amongst the a la carte offer is the Paneer Adraki in a cashew nut-tomato gravy with a slightly pungent pickle- like taste and is sure to appeal to you.
The attentive waiters are a definite plus to the restaurant. The restaurant runs from 12 to 3:30 pm for lunch and 7 to 10:30 pm for dinner. A la carte for two comes to around Rs. 400. Valet parking facility is available. Free home delivery to around 5 kms is done.
Pluses: Value for money
Minuses: Nothing, really
Food: 3.5/5; Ambience: 3.5/5
Located in Kimtee Square, Road No. 12, Banjara Hills

Veggie Nook: Methi

Methi at MG road, started two years ago is a relatively new restaurant and finds its clientele for its pure vegetarian fare from amongst the dominantly vegetarian residents around the Paradise area. The restaurant can seat around 90 diners and the ambience with its well-spaced tables and chairs lends a relaxing environment.
From 7 to 11 am Methi offers buffet breakfast consisting of 15 items priced at Rs 79. The restaurant then runs from 11 am to 11 pm offering lunch, evening snacks and dinner at the appropriate times.

Though a la carte is provided, the restaurant is known more for its Thaali with its unlimited offer of food; the Bhojanam priced at Rs 95 and the Rajabhojanam at Rs 125. The Rajabhojnam consist of 19 items in all. It serves dal, dry and gravy curries, rasam, sambar, curd, dahi wada, sweet and fruit custard. Most of the fare is made of commonly available vegetables and has a taste of home cooked food. Care is taken of the quality of food served. An example is the sweet served. It is not the usual ambiguous sweet served with thaalis but one which is prepared with care.A very strong South Indian flavor underlines all the dishes on offer in the thaali.

Apart from the thaali, Methi also serves the a la carte. The a la carte offerings aren’t as uniformly appealing as the ones in the thaali. The lemon coriander soup prepared in a corn flour base with thinly shredded cabbage and carrots with a dash of ginger has a unique taste lent to it due to the addition of lemon grass. All soups are priced at Rs 70.
Amongst the starters the generally tasty Paneer Majestic disappoints you with its very oily and soggy paneer sticks. Baby Corn Adraki, one of the specialties of the restaurant has a thick base but tastes more like mixed vegetable curry. Methi Paneer Malai on the other hand is rather scrumptious. It consists of the fenugreek and the spinach leaves paste and has one inch paneer squares. This has a slightly pungent taste to it with a hint of mustard— a very unique preparation.
The rotis are priced between Rs 20 to 35. The stuffed kulchas again are quite thick and not thin or soft as they should be. The mildly spiced vegetable biryani again is good in taste. Some summer special mocktails on offer have amongst them a Banana Smoothie with its vanilla extract, yogurt, honey and ice. This priced at Rs 70 is quite nice and thick.
Home delivery for a minimum order of Rs 250 and within a radius of 3 km with a discount of 10% is offered. The fare comes to Rs 500 for two people. A small cellar parking space is available.
Pluses: The Rajabhojanam
Minuses: Lot of oil used in food
Food: 3/5; Ambience: 3.5/5
Located beside KFC, MG Road

Veggie Nook: Pizza World

A hunt for a pizza in the vicinity of Malkajgiri will yield none. In this scenario, Pizza World comes as a boon for the one with a penchant for fast food—specifically pizzas. You don’t mind that the outlet doesn’t have a proper dining space. Some chairs are strewn around casually. The place also has four tables. Pizza World is planned more as an eat-on-the- move outlet. This outlet which deals with pure vegetarian pizzas also sells ice creams and sweet corn. But the main offer in the menu is the Pizzas. Pizza World caters to the primarily vegetarian and middle class families in the residential areas in and around Malkajgiri and offers pizzas at very reasonable rates.
Pizza World started barely a year ago offers around 15 varieties of pizzas priced between Rs 55 for a Plain Cheese pizza to Rs. 90 for a Creamy Cheese pizza. A pizza quality is decided by the softness of the base and the 7” pizza bases offered here don’t disappoint you. The cheeses used here are a mix of Process Cheese and Cheddar cheese. What’s also unique here is that the vegetables are found under the cheese layer unlike the conventional way of vegetables used as topping alone. The tomatoes, onion and capsicum are layered on the pizza base upon which the cheese is spread. On top of this are used other toppings like corn, jalapenos, olives etc. The vegetables cooked under the cheese layers find a unique taste to them.
The Creamy Cheese pizza contains cheese, onions, capsicum, white pepper, tomatoes, olives and white sauce. The layers of cheese and the abundant white sauce used in the preparation smother the spices used within.
For people with a taste for a mildly spiced pizza, the Italian Veggie priced at Rs. 80 is the one. It contains cheese, onions, capsicum and topped with Italian herbs like thyme, basil and oregano. The herbs added lend just the right pungency to the pizza.
The alliance of Continental and Indian yields to you the Desi Masala Pizza. Priced at Rs. 85, it contains cheese, capsicum, onion and Indian spices. This pizza has a tantalizing sprinkling of some unusual and innovative combination of spices: carom seed (ajwain) powder which is added to take care of digestion, the inevitable turmeric, and powder of red chilies, coriander seeds and pulses. This very unique combination makes the preparation extremely yummy and is recommended as a must-try in Pizza World. It’s not spicy and can be had by the kids too.
The USP is the customer service that one finds in the outlet. This is proved in the faithful set of customers who return repeatedly and are willing to wait out despite a delay in service. Small things like giving water packets free to every customer adds to that special touch.
Pizza World is open from 3 pm to 10 pm. During summer vacation, the plan is to open earlier to cater to the ice-cream gorging kids on vacation. Parking space is available in front of the outlet.
Pluses: Customer friendly
Minuses: Time taken to serve
Food: 3.5/5; Ambience: Not Applicable
Located near gas company, at Anandbagh cross roads, Malkajgiri.

Veggie Nook:Punjabi Rasoi

The taste of Punjab

SUBHA VARANASI
 

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The Hindu A Punjabi thaali. Photo: K. Ramesh Babu

VEGGIE NOOK—Gachibowli

Huge lettering proclaiming ‘Punjabi Rasoi' at Gachibowli cross roads invites you to try out its taste. Punjabi Rasoi has two restaurants: the vegetarian and the non-vegetarian. The vegetarian one is on the ground floor. As you step in, the ambience is not too inviting. A 50-seater, the place seems a bit confining. A few window ACs take care of the cooling inside. Past 2 p.m., the crowd thickens and there are quite a handful of people waiting to be seated.

The menu consists of North Indian fare with the usual Chinese thrown in. There is a strong Punjabi flavour in all the dishes. Care is taken to avoid overt use of oil and spices. It is a relief to find mildly spiced food. What's perhaps a unique preparation amongst the starters is the paneer-baby corn lollipop. The baby corn is swathed at its broader end with paneer to which garlic-ginger and coriander is added. This preparation is then coated with corn flour and deep fried. Despite being deep-fried, it is surprising to find that the preparation is not oily. You get six such pieces per dish.

Another starter is the sheekh kabab priced at Rs. 115: a preparation of whole wheat flour mixed with paneer, bits of carrot, shreds of cabbage, garlic, bits of cashew, coriander and onion rolled in bread crumbs and skewered. It comes with 8 pieces per plate and is served with mint chutney.

The biryani is awesome in taste. The very long and thin rice grains are perhaps specially chosen to enhance the flavours of the spices. Mildly flavoured and prepared with very little oil, the biryani is accompanied with raita of cucumber, onion and tomato.

Try out the Amritsari naan here. The naan is soft and stuffed with grated paneer, thinly chopped vegetables and studded with paneer and cherry bits. Order for the lassi to enjoy the authentic Punjabi flavour. It is very thick and topped with crushed dry fruits, and slightly sweetened.

One cannot come away from a Punjabi Rasoi without tasting the indispensable ‘makai-ki-roti and sarso-ka-saag'. The makai ki roti is made out of dough of corn meal and whole wheat flour. It contains a few shreds of radish as well and served hot with little oil. The sarso ka saag is a preparation of mustard leaves, mixed with bit of spinach, and cooked with onion tomato, garlic and tomatoes, and also cooked in very little oil.

There are also mocktails on offer which run contrary to the prevalent Punjabi flavor in the menu.

Punjabi Rasoi finds many takers for its thaali priced at Rs. 65 for an ordinary thaali and Rs. 105 for the special one.

The busiest times are Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and one needs to wait quite a bit before being seated. However, ample servings and the taste of the food make it worth the wait. Home delivery is done for a radius of 5km with a minimum order of Rs. 300.

A meal for two comes to around Rs. 300.The restaurant runs from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Ample parking space is earmarked for the restaurant.

Punjabi Rasoi

Located at Gachibowli cross roads.

Pluses: Value for money

Minuses: Crowds

Food: 4/5

Ambience: 2/5

This article was published HERE.

Veggie Nook: Santosh Castle

Santosh Castle in Abids, started quite recently on the 20th February is a pleasure to dine in. The subtly-lit interiors with instrumental music playing in the background, well-spaced tables and chairs, impeccable washrooms—all these add to the mood. The 80 seater air-conditioned restaurant situated on the first floor above Santosh Dhaba, caters to pure vegetarian fare.
The thickly-bound menu overwhelms you with the copiousness of pages to go through. Every section of food contains many selections and narrowing your choice is a tough challenge. The soups range from Rs 50 to 70 and have about 18 in all to select from. The appetizers, a total of 32 in number, vary from Rs. 80-120.
Amongst the starters, Paneer Majestic priced at Rs. 110 is a dry preparation of thin 2” long paneer sticks. This is lightly coated with maida and corn flour and deep-fried. This is tossed with sesame and cumin, curry leaves, thinly sliced fried onion, dry chillies, green chillies and some white pepper. It is a relatively oil-free preparation and the added ingredients add to its delectibitly.
Another entrée Paneer Malai Tikka priced at Rs.120 is quite delectable too. Plain one-inch square paneer pieces smeared with gram flour are pierced along with thin onion and tomato pieces and barbequed. The Malai Tikka derives its name from the paste of ginger- garlic and fresh cream that is alternately layered with the paneer, onion and tomato pieces. Once barbequed, the stacks are sautéed with cashew powder, green chili paste, pepper powder and cardamom powder. What also make these paneer preparations special is the fact that all paneer used is very soft and freshly-prepared.
The curries again offer a mind boggling selection of 70 curries. Amongst the curries, Dum Aloo priced at Rs.90 consists of large potato pieces deep-fried and mixed with a gravy of onion paste to which these condiments are added: red chilli powder, cumin powder, paste of ginger-garlic, cashew, sesame, watermelon seeds, chironji, poppy seeds and crushed coconut. Kajal Kofta a specialty claimed by Santosh consists of koftas prepared with boiled carrot, beans, potato, which are bound with corn flour and deep-fried. These are served with a gravy similar to Dum Aloo to which copious amount of fried cashew is added.
Another curry Haveli Paneer has the condiments of cashew, watermelon seeds, chironji, garlic- ginger paste and red chili powder added to tomato-onion based white gravy. This is quite delectable too.
16 varieties of Indian breads priced between Rs.10 to 40 are on offer. Some special ones are mentioned below: Garlic Nan, at Rs. 30 is the usual nan but with tiny garlic flecks which lend it a pungent taste. Baby Nan, another specialty is smeared with butter, grated paneer and grated carrots. Chatpata Nan is probably unique to this restaurant. It consist of nan covered with grated paneer, chilli powder and chat masala. This has a crunchy feel as you bite through. Stuffed kulcha at Rs.40 is something you find in any other restaurant and is stuffed with boiled potatoes, carrot and beans. Yet, what lends a unique taste to this preparation is the way it is thinly rolled out and is studded with plenty of cashews.
Amongst the 19 varities of rice, Shahi biryani stands out.

Pluses: All food is tasty
Minuses: Food is smothered in oil
Food: 3.5/5; Ambience: 3.5/5
Located in the lane to the right of Big Bazaar, Abids