Puthandu Vaazhthukkal - Kara varudam.

Tamil New year/Puthandu marks the beginning of a new year in the traditional Tamil calendar which follows the vernal equinox. ( for more details, read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vernal_equinox ) .
The mavillai thoranam in the entrance of my home and the neem tree in full bloom,maakolam on the verandah, all is a beautiful sight.
This day has lot of traditional significance.And there is a controversy created by the ruling Govt in Tamilnadu . I dont mind it either. I cant leave off my tradition, whoever says. Dont panic.. this post is not about that.
The food served on this day in my home and in most of the homes in my native is almost a ritual in its own right.One may be used to the table culture, but I bet, the sit-down lunch is not to be missed.
The banana leaf is laid out horizontally with the tapering end to the right, always! So many times, I do the other way round and get a frown from the elderly people sitting. So I generally sit along with my father so that I need not serve or get a frown.
The first touch to it is from water sprinkles – to moisten the leaf and clean it. The first position to occupy the leaf is by the auspicious sweet pudding, payasam, not much, just a drop off a teaspoon, sort of a ritual to indicate sweet beginnings.
Then starts the light service of vegetables, kootu, followed by the lightly finely chopped and sautéed vegetable of the day,the curry or poriyal, then a little fried vegetables varuval.All these are laid out on the top portion of the leaf.
Forget not the salt. It occupies the corner and seemingly, it means you should not forget the host who gives you food. And then the boiled lentils (paruppu), placed in the off-centre position of the leaf, with little ghee in it.
My mom makes this,‘black gram’salty doughnut – medhuvadai, and it is her speciality for all festive occasions. She places an extra number to me. No meal is considered fit to eat unless the sizzling pickles are served – the mango pickle mostly. Appalam or fried vadams enter then.
Rice is served, and the toor dhall,drumstick sambar. And the next round comes the universal tangy soup Milagutwany or Rasam. This day, its little bitter too, after adding the tender neem flowers, it is supposed to be taken,’the vepamboo rasam’. As said, it means that you will have some bitter days too.
Then there is the sweet paal payasam in regular quantity now. After that’s done, the authentic curd rice …with mango pickle.
Oh, I forgot to mention the mango pachadi, right at the onset of the mango season , comes this festival. Little sour / sweet… its YUM YUM YUMMY
Such meals are always good,not just good!Awesome !!!! …and never ever miss them if you get a chance to have. Today the nuni illai bhojanam has reduced to kesari/ sundal in ceramic cups.
And in all these years, this is the first time, I am not at home for the Tamil new year and missing this feast too.. And everyone at home will be missing me too.


Wish you all a very Happy Thamizh New Year / Happy Vishu :) God bless all of us. Wishes & Prayers.