The National Abu Dhabi
Comment Essays for The National Abu Dhabi
Bournvita: the sugar high and its effects
Do you drink Bournvita or give it to your kids? Well this piece is about packaged beverages.
Is the Kannadiga sambhar overrated?
Each state think it makes the best sambhar. Who is right? And do you need sambhar for breakfast as an accompaniment in the first place? Does Karnataka add jaggery in their sambhar or not? I love sambhar and hence I get into knots trying to parse it out.
How to age well: the age-old question
How to age well is a topic that obsesses me. How to game it? How to make it better? How to age with grace? How to preserve health? How to stay relevant?
Why do Bangaloreans like single-colour chutneys?
Are Kannadigas minimalist like the Japanese, at least with respect to their food? I begin by thinking that they are and then come to quite a different conclusion.
How to spot a Bangalorean
There is a face that a Bangalorean will make when you ask him to do something. This column is about the phrase, "Swalpa adjust Maadi."
Is there an Indian way of tasting wine?
As the Indian economy gains confidence, will our wine terms change, or will they be forever linked to European terms?
Ten mind-blowing things about Bangalore’s history
Bangalore is dismissed as India’s Silicon Valley. But most people don’t think of this city as ancient, which it also is.
Exhibition celebrates vessels as repositories of stories
“Vessels have contained community, connections, family, emotions and the warmth of the hands that crafted them."
Why Bangalore traffic is so great….
Recently there is some rather unwarranted talk about Delhi pipping Bangalore as the top contender for this position. I would like to submit that this is just plain wrong.
The Chef as Artist or Businessperson
Are you a chef-as-artist or a chef-as-businessperson? Of course, the easiest answer is that you need to be both, but some lean towards one or the other side. Let me explain.
When the comments are better than the article
My previous column on idli and dose (Karnataka) or dosai ITamilnadu) or dosha (Kerala) or dosa (North India) brought forth so many comments. My head is spinning. Please read. Many call me out on my biases, which is great. Many offer critiques of this "stupid" article. Some link it to history, mean sea level, Dravidian roots, fermentation methods and ingredients. scroll all the way down below "Recent articles" for the comments section. Enjoy.
Which idli-dosa is better? Tamilnadu or Karnataka?
In Karnataka, breakfast is a duet whereas in Tamilnadu, it is an orchestra. I may be wading into the Kaveri here, but a question arose recently in a mixed group about whether the Karnataka or the Tamilnadu interpretation of the classic idli-dosa breakfast was better.