Sun, Steam, and Tradition: The Seasonal Ritual of Vethal, Vadam, and Appalam

 

As the cool months fade and the intense summer sun begins to take over, South Indian homes step into a time-honoured culinary ritual. From mid-February to the end of March—just before the Tamil New Year in the month of Chithirai—households become vibrant centres of preparation. This period, falling in the Tamil months of Maasi and Panguni, is dedicated to making and preserving vethal, vadam, and appalam for the entire year.

This is more than just cooking—it is tradition, planning, and a deep understanding of seasons.

 

The Perfect Season for Preservation

The strong summer sun is nature’s dehydrator. Families make full use of this heat to prepare foods that can be stored for months and enjoyed especially during the rainy and winter seasons when sunlight is limited.

Women of the household lead this effort, often spending entire days preparing batches of these items with care and precision.

 

Understanding the Differences

Though often spoken of together, vethal, vadam, and appalam are quite different in how they are made:

Vethal (Sun-Dried Delicacies)

                                           
Vethal are fully sun-dried items, and sago (sabudana) plays an important role in many varieties. A mixture of sago, green chillies, salt, and sometimes curd is prepared and shaped before being dried completely under the sun.

Another popular version includes green chillies soaked in salted curd, then dried thoroughly. When fried, these become crispy, slightly tangy, and intensely flavorful—perfect with curd rice.

These are dried on terraces over clean plastic sheets, under strong sunlight for two to three days until completely dehydrated.

 

Vadam (Steamed and Then Dried)

Vadam has a distinct preparation method. The batter—usually made from rice flour, spices, and sometimes sago—is first steamed. This step partially cooks the mixture.

After steaming, it is shaped and then dried under a fan or in shade, rather than harsh sunlight. This gives vadam a different texture—light, airy, and slightly translucent when fried.

 

Appalam (Lightly Sun-Dried Wafers)

                                                  
Appalam, made mainly from urad dal flour, are thin discs rolled out and dried under mild sunlight. Once fried, they puff up instantly into crispy wafers that are a staple alongside meals.

 

Ingredients That Bring It All Together

The ingredients used are simple but versatile:

Rice and rice flour

Urad dal

Sago (sabudana)

Green chillies

Curd

Salt

Each combination results in different textures, flavors, and shapes.

 

The Preparation Process

The process is both methodical and artistic:

Mixing & Cooking (for Vadam)
Some mixtures are steamed first, especially for vadam, to create a base texture.

Shaping
The mixtures are shaped into a variety of forms—round discs, spirals like murukku, ribbon shapes, or even small balls.

Drying

Vethal: dried completely under strong sunlight for 2–3 days

Vadam: dried under a fan or in shade after steaming

Appalam: dried under light sun

Peeling & Storage
Once dried, they are peeled off carefully and stored in airtight containers to last the entire year.

 

A Terrace Full of Life

During this season, terraces transform into beautiful displays of culinary craftsmanship. Rows of neatly shaped vethal and vadam drying under the sun create patterns that reflect both tradition and creativity.

 

From Storage to Plate

These preserved items are not eaten immediately. When needed, they are deep-fried in oil:

Vethal turns crisp and flavorful

Vadam becomes light and crunchy

Appalam puffs up instantly

They are served alongside everyday meals like curd rice, rasam, or sambar, adding texture and taste.

The dried curd-soaked chillies, when fried, are especially loved for their bold, tangy heat.

 

A Tradition That Endures

Even in modern times, when store-bought versions are easily available, many families continue this practice. It is not just about the end product—it is about the process, the season, and the shared effort.

This annual ritual reflects:

Smart use of natural resources

Long-term food planning

Cultural continuity

The joy of handmade food

 

The Taste of Summer, All Year Round

When you fry a batch of homemade vethal or vadam on a rainy day, it carries with it the warmth of the summer sun and the care with which it was prepared.

It is not just food—it is a preserved memory of a season, a tradition, and a way of life.

Let the Sun In: Simple, Beautiful Ways to Use Sunlight in Your Home

    

As summer slowly settles into South India, sunlight begins to pour into our homes—bright, golden, and full of life. Instead of shutting it out, what if we embraced it?

Sunlight isn’t just “light.” It’s energy, warmth, hygiene, and even a design element. And the best part? It’s completely free.

 Everyday Ways to Use Sunlight

Dry clothes naturally – nothing beats that crisp, sun-dried freshness

Sun-dry vessels – a traditional, effective way to keep them germ-free

Make homemade pickles and masalas – sunlight enhances flavor and shelf life

Air out bedding and pillows – helps reduce moisture and odors

 A Natural Cleanser
Sunlight acts as a gentle disinfectant. Letting it into your rooms can help reduce dampness, keep spaces fresh, and make them less inviting for mosquitoes and germs. A well-lit room simply feels healthier.

 Sunlight as Home Decor
Think of sunlight as your most dynamic décor element:

Morning light in the kitchen creates a warm, inviting start to the day

Soft afternoon light in the living room adds a golden glow

Sun patterns through windows or curtains create ever-changing art on your walls and floors

Place mirrors strategically to reflect light, use light-colored curtains to diffuse it, and add indoor plants that thrive in natural brightness. The result? A home that feels alive.

Beyond the Basics
Yes, solar panels are a powerful way to harness sunlight—but even without them, small daily habits can make a big difference. Sunlight can reduce electricity use, improve well-being, and connect us to natural rhythms.

 
Don’t treat sunlight as something to block—treat it as something to design with. It’s the simplest way to make your home healthier, brighter, and more beautiful.

Let your home glow, naturally.

 

Here’s where it gets interesting—beyond the usual drying and lighting, sunlight can actually become a smart household tool in Indian homes if used creatively.

 Turn Sunlight into a Daily Utility (Not Just a Resource)

1. Solar Cooking – Low Effort, High Impact
A simple solar cooker (box type or panel type) can be used on terraces or balconies.

Cook rice, dal, or boil water without gas

Perfect for slow cooking—no supervision needed

Great for summer afternoons when the sun is strongest

2. Sunlight-Powered Water Disinfection (SODIS Method)
Fill clear plastic bottles with water and leave them in direct sunlight for 6–8 hours.

UV rays help kill harmful microbes

Useful during travel, in rural homes, or water shortages

3. Natural Room Heating & Cooling Control
Use sunlight strategically instead of relying fully on fans/AC:

Morning: open windows to warm and freshen rooms

Afternoon: block harsh sun with bamboo blinds or cotton curtains

Evening: release trapped heat by cross-ventilation

4. DIY Solar Dryer (Upgrade from Traditional Drying)
Instead of open drying (which attracts dust):

Create a simple covered drying rack using mesh + transparent sheet

Faster drying for chillies, papads, vadams, herbs

Cleaner and more hygienic

5. Sunlight for Pest Control (Traditional + Scientific)

Keep grains, pulses, and spices in sunlight occasionally

Helps prevent weevils and moisture buildup

Sun-dry neem leaves and place them in storage containers for added protection

6. Boost Indoor Plants & Kitchen Gardening

Use window sunlight for herbs like tulsi, mint, coriander

Reflect light using mirrors or white walls to reach deeper corners

Sunlight improves plant growth and indoor air quality

7. Sunlight for Mental & Physical Wellness

Create a “sun corner” in your home

Spend 10–15 minutes daily for natural Vitamin D

Ideal for morning yoga, meditation, or even tea time

8. Solar Charging Stations (Small-Scale Innovation)

Use small solar chargers for phones, power banks, lights

Useful during power cuts (very practical in Indian summers)

9. Sunlight-Based Laundry Boost

Pre-soak white clothes and place them in sunlight

Natural bleaching effect—reduces need for harsh chemicals

10. Light as Interior Design Element

Use jaali patterns, patterned grills, or cutwork panels

Creates beautiful shifting light patterns inside the house

Adds an artistic, almost “heritage home” feel

 

 A Different Way to Think About It
In many Indian homes, sunlight is either fully used (terraces) or completely blocked (indoors). The real innovation is in controlling and directing it.

Think of sunlight like water:
you don’t just collect it—you channel it where it’s most useful.

 

 

Remembering R. Parthasarathy: A Quiet Architect of Indian English Poetry

 

The passing of R. Parthasarathy marks the end of a deeply reflective and quietly influential chapter in Indian English literature. A poet, translator, and editor of remarkable sensitivity, Parthasarathy belonged to that generation of writers who shaped the voice of post-independence Indian poetry in English—not through flamboyance, but through precision, restraint, and intellectual depth.

Born in Tamil Nadu, Parthasarathy carried within him a dual literary inheritance: the richness of classical Tamil tradition and the expansive possibilities of English as a global literary medium. This duality would come to define his work, not as a conflict, but as a space of creative tension. His poetry often explores themes of identity, exile, memory, and belonging—questions that continue to resonate with readers navigating the complexities of language and self in a postcolonial world.

His most celebrated work, Rough Passage (1977), remains a landmark in Indian English poetry. Structured almost like a poetic autobiography, the collection traces a journey—geographical, emotional, and linguistic. From his early life in India to his years abroad and eventual return, Parthasarathy writes with an unflinching honesty about alienation and the search for rootedness. The poems are spare yet layered, personal yet philosophical, capturing the unease of inhabiting multiple worlds without fully belonging to any one of them.

What makes Rough Passage enduring is not just its subject matter, but its craft. Parthasarathy’s language is controlled, almost austere, but never cold. There is a quiet intensity in his lines, a deliberate pacing that invites the reader to linger, to reflect. He avoids ornamentation, trusting instead in the weight of experience and the clarity of thought.

Beyond his own poetry, Parthasarathy made significant contributions as a translator and editor. His translations from Tamil brought classical and modern Tamil literature to a wider English-speaking audience, acting as a bridge between literary traditions. At a time when Indian English writing was still negotiating its place in the global literary landscape, such efforts were invaluable. He reminded readers that Indian literature in English is not isolated—it is deeply interconnected with the many languages and cultures of the subcontinent.

As an editor, particularly during his time with Oxford University Press in India, he played a crucial role in nurturing and disseminating Indian writing in English. His editorial work helped shape the canon, bringing attention to voices that might otherwise have remained unheard. In doing so, he contributed not just as a writer, but as a curator of literary culture.

Yet, despite his achievements, Parthasarathy remained a relatively understated figure. He did not seek the limelight, nor did he cultivate a public persona. His legacy is instead embedded in his work—in the poems that continue to speak to readers, and in the literary bridges he helped build.

In remembering R. Parthasarathy, we are reminded of the power of quiet persistence in literature. Not all influence is loud or immediate. Some of it unfolds slowly, over decades, in the minds of readers and writers who encounter a voice that feels both deeply personal and universally relevant.

His work endures as an invitation—to reflect on where we come from, the languages we inhabit, and the journeys that shape us. In that sense, his “rough passage” is also ours.

Rest in peace, R. Parthasarathy. Your words remain, steady and searching, guiding us still.

Read Jerry pinto's article on R. Parthasarathy : here

Two Tales, One Timeless City: Why Lucknow Promises a Safe and Memorable Journey

    

 

There’s something quietly enchanting about a city that gracefully carries its past while warmly welcoming the present. Lucknow, often called the “City of Nawabs,” is precisely that kind of place—a destination where history lives in its grand architecture, culture shows in everyday gestures, and hospitality feels genuinely personal.

Inspired by the evocative article “Two Tales of One City” from The New Indian Express, this blog invites first-time travellers to discover why Lucknow is not just worth visiting—but worth experiencing with confidence, comfort, and curiosity.

 

A City of Dual Charms

Lucknow unfolds like a story told in two voices. On one side, you’ll find the old city—rich with Mughal-era monuments, bustling bazaars, and the lingering aroma of traditional Awadhi cuisine. On the other, a modern city rises—clean roads, organized spaces, contemporary cafés, and growing infrastructure.

This duality is what makes Lucknow so unique. It doesn’t force you to choose between past and present—you get to enjoy both, seamlessly.

 

 

Safety and Comfort for Every Traveller

For those visiting for the first time, safety is often a top concern—and rightly so. Lucknow stands out as one of the more welcoming and manageable cities in India.

Friendly locals: The famed tehzeeb (courtesy) of Lucknow isn’t just a stereotype—it’s a lived experience. Visitors often find locals helpful, polite, and eager to guide.

Improved infrastructure: Well-connected roads, metro services, and app-based transport options make commuting smooth and reliable.

Tourist-friendly areas: Popular attractions are well-maintained and frequented by families and visitors, adding to a sense of safety.

Like any city, basic precautions go a long way—but overall, Lucknow offers a reassuring environment for solo travellers, families, and groups alike.

 

A Feast for the Senses

Lucknow is not just seen—it’s felt, tasted, and heard.

Architecture: From the grandeur of Bara Imambara to the intricate beauty of Rumi Darwaza, every structure tells a story.

Cuisine: The city is a paradise for food lovers. Whether it’s melt-in-the-mouth kebabs or fragrant biryanis, each dish carries generations of tradition.

Culture: Poetry, music, and art continue to thrive, giving visitors a glimpse into a refined cultural heritage.

 

A Refreshing Travel Experience

What makes Lucknow truly refreshing is its pace. Unlike the overwhelming rush of bigger metros, Lucknow allows you to slow down, explore thoughtfully, and connect with its soul.

You can spend a quiet evening walking through heritage lanes, sip tea at a roadside stall, or simply sit back and observe life unfold with elegance.

 

 

Why You Should Go Now

The spirit captured in “Two Tales of One City” reflects a destination that is evolving without losing its essence. For a first-time traveller, this means:

A balance of tradition and modern comfort

A safe and welcoming atmosphere

Rich cultural experiences without chaos

Memories that feel both personal and timeless

 

 

Lucknow doesn’t just invite you—it reassures you. It promises a journey where you feel safe, welcomed, and inspired. Whether you’re exploring its historic wonders or simply soaking in its charm, the city leaves you with stories worth telling.

So if you’re planning your next trip, let Lucknow be more than a destination—let it be an experience that stays with you long after you’ve left.

Pack your bags. Lucknow is ready to welcome you.

 

Music: The Rhythm of My Life

  

Music has always been more than just sound to me—it is the very rhythm that shapes my life. From my earliest memories, music has been a constant companion, weaving itself into my daily experiences and emotions.

Growing up, my exposure to music was deeply rooted in Tollywood, Bollywood, and classical traditions. A significant influence during my childhood was the music programs aired on All India Radio. Those broadcasts filled our home with melodies that quietly nurtured my love for music.

The compositions of Thyagaraja and Annamacharya formed a gentle yet powerful foundation for my musical journey. Their kritis were not just songs but experiences that introduced me to the depth and spirituality of classical music.

At home, music was always present. My father was an ardent admirer of Mohammed Rafi, and his songs frequently played on our gramophone and tape recorders. Naturally, Rafi’s voice became an inseparable part of my upbringing, creating memories that I cherish even today.

As I grew older, my connection with music deepened. Learning to play the veena gave me a more personal relationship with melody and rhythm. Music continued to surround me even after marriage, especially at my in-laws’ home, where it remained an integral part of life.

Living in Chennai opened up another beautiful chapter—attending live concerts. The experience of listening to great artists perform in person was truly magical. Collecting autographs from my favorite musicians added an extra layer of excitement and joy to those moments.

Even today, music continues to shape my daily routine. Fever FM is my constant companion in the mornings, filling my home with energy as I go about my household tasks. Its presence makes even the simplest moments feel lively and enjoyable.

Adding to this beautiful journey is my husband, a mridangam artist. His passion and expertise bring a deeper understanding of rhythm and classical nuances into our lives. Through him, I continue to learn and appreciate music in more profound ways.

For me, music is not just a hobby or an interest—it is a source of rejuvenation. It revives my spirit, uplifts my mood, and fills my life with happiness and joy.

In every phase of my life, music has been there—comforting, inspiring, and celebrating with me. Truly, it is the best part of my life.

(This blog post is a part of  Blogchatter's Bloghop. details here: https://www.theblogchatter.com/blogchatter-blog-hop-a-new-way-to-write-collectively)

World Poetry Day: The Poetry Hidden in Our Everyday Lives

 

  

Every year on March 21, the world celebrates World Poetry Day—a tribute to one of humanity’s oldest and most profound forms of expression. Poetry is often perceived as distant, hidden in books or classrooms, but in reality, it is deeply woven into the rhythm of our daily lives—especially in cultures like ours.

Where Did Poetry Begin?

Poetry predates written language. It began as an oral tradition, passed from generation to generation through memory, rhythm, and sound. The earliest known poetry dates back to ancient civilisations such as Mesopotamia, where works such as The Epic of Gilgamesh were composed in Sumerian.

Across the world, poetry emerged independently in many cultures:

In ancient India, the Vedas—composed in Sanskrit—are among the oldest poetic texts, filled with hymns, chants, and philosophical reflections.

In Greece, poets like Homer shaped storytelling through epics like the Iliad and the Odyssey.

In China, the Shijing (Book of Songs) captured early poetic traditions rooted in nature and daily life.

From these origins, poetry spread across continents through trade, migration, religion, and education. Each culture adapted it into its own language and style, yet its essence remained the same: rhythm, emotion, and meaning.

Poetry in Our Everyday Lives

We often think poetry is something we “study,” but rarely do we stop to notice how much of it we live.

Take a moment and reflect.

The prayers we recite—whether in schools, temples, or at home—are deeply poetic in structure. Consider:

“Hum Ko Man Ki Shakti Dena” — a school prayer many of us grew up with, filled with rhythm, repetition, and emotional appeal.

Andal’s hymns, especially sung during the Margazhi month, are rich in imagery, devotion, and lyrical beauty.

Did we ever pause to realise this?

These are not just prayers—they are poetry. They carry poetic devices like rhyme, meter, metaphor, and repetition, alongside the central theme of bhakti (devotion). They are meant to be felt, remembered, and experienced, not merely recited.

A Tradition Passed Down

Our ancestors understood something powerful: poetry is easier to remember than plain speech. By embedding values, stories, and teachings into poetic forms, they ensured that knowledge would endure across generations.

Poetry was never separate from life—it was life.

Moral lessons were taught through verses.

Spiritual ideas were conveyed through hymns.

Daily routines were accompanied by chants and songs.

This was not accidental. It was intentional cultural design.

Poetry as Practice

Even today, we continue this tradition, often unknowingly:

A lullaby sung to a child

A devotional song played in the morning

A festival chant repeated year after year

All of these are poetic practices.

They shape our emotions, influence our thoughts, and connect us to something larger than ourselves.

Why We Must Preserve This

In a fast-paced, digital world, poetry risks being reduced to a subject rather than a lived experience. But losing poetry means losing a part of our cultural and emotional heritage.

Preserving poetry doesn’t mean only reading more poems—it means:

Recognizing poetry in daily rituals

Teaching children the meaning behind what they recite

Keeping oral traditions alive

Valuing rhythm, language, and expression in everyday life

 

Poetry is not confined to pages—it lives in our voices, our prayers, and our memories.

Perhaps the real question is not “What is poetry?” but rather:
“Have we been living poetry all along without realising it?”

This World Poetry Day, take a moment to listen—to the words you speak, the songs you hum, the prayers you chant.

You may just discover that poetry has always been a part of you.

Cracking UGC NET English (June 2026): A Fresh, Realistic Roadmap for Aspirants

    

If you’re aiming to clear UGC NET English in June 2026, here’s the truth: you don’t need to be a literary genius—you need clarity, consistency, and a smart plan.

This isn’t about studying harder. It’s about studying right.

Let’s reset your preparation with a fresh, focused approach.

 

·         First, Reset Your Mindset

Stop overthinking.

Many aspirants fail not because they lack knowledge, but because they:

Study everything randomly

Ignore revision

Panic before the exam

This attempt? You’re doing it differently.

Consistency beats intensity. Always.

 

·         What Actually Matters in UGC NET English

You don’t need to read entire novels or memorize everything.

Focus on what the exam repeatedly asks.

·         Core Areas You Must Master

British Literature (from Chaucer to Postmodern)

Literary Theory & Criticism

Indian Writing in English

American Literature

Cultural Studies

·         Tip: Literary theory + British literature together can cover a huge portion of the paper.

 

·        The Power Move: Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

If you do just ONE thing right—let it be this.

Solve at least 10–15 years of PYQs

Track repeated topics

Understand the pattern of questions

·         You’ll start noticing:

Same authors appearing again and again

Similar theory-based questions

Chronology patterns

PYQs are not practice—they are your roadmap.

 

·         Notes That Actually Help

Forget long, messy notebooks.

Create sharp, revision-friendly notes:

One page per author

Key works + themes

Literary movements in bullet form

Theorists in simple language

·         Your goal: revise everything quickly before the exam.

 

·         A Simple Daily Plan (That Works)

You don’t need 10-hour study days.

3–5 focused hours are enough:

1 hour → Paper 1

2–3 hours → English subject

1 hour → PYQs / Revision

 Consistency matters more than long hours.

 

·         Paper 1 = Your Score Booster

Most aspirants underestimate this.

But here’s the reality:

Paper 1 is scoring

It can push you above the cutoff

Focus on:

Teaching Aptitude

Research Aptitude

Logical Reasoning

Data Interpretation

 

·         Mock Tests: Your Reality Check

Preparation without testing = illusion.

Take 1–2 mock tests per week

Analyze mistakes seriously

Ask yourself:

Why did I get this wrong?

Was it lack of knowledge or confusion?

 Improvement happens after the test, not during it.

 

·         Smart Study > Heavy Reading

You don’t need to read full texts.

Instead, focus on:

Summaries

Themes

Important characters

Key quotes

·         Remember: UGC NET tests awareness, not deep textual analysis.

 

·         Last 30 Days Strategy

This is where most aspirants either win or lose.

DO:

Revise notes again and again

Practice mocks

Focus on weak areas

DON’T:

Start new topics

Panic-study

Overload yourself

Revision is your strongest weapon now.

 

·         Mistakes to Avoid (Seriously)

1.     Reading entire novels

2.    Ignoring Paper 1

3.    Skipping revision

4.     Avoiding mock tests

These are the real reasons people miss the cutoff.

 

·         A Word for This Attempt

You might have tried before. You might be unsure.

But this attempt is different because:

You now have a strategy

You know what matters

You’re not wasting time anymore

·        Stay consistent for the next few months, and you can clear this.

 

·         After You Clear NET

Once you qualify:

You’re eligible for Assistant Professor roles

You can apply for PhD programs

Start preparing for interviews (research proposal + subject clarity)

 

·         Final Thought

Clearing UGC NET English is not about brilliance.

It’s about:

Smart preparation

Repeated revision

Staying calm and consistent

You don’t need perfect preparation. You need effective preparation.

 

·         This June 2026—Make It Count.

Stay focused. Stay steady. And most importantly—don’t give up halfway.

You’ve got this.