Thalakkari in Krishnagiri

I love rains. But I was a bit angry when it suddenly started pouring as I reached Krishnagiri on my way to Hosur to attend a seminar a week ago. I stopped my bullet in front of a small hotel and walked in. The idea was to have a tea and wait there until the rains gets over. After seeing people eating porotta, I had a second thought. I asked the man what was available to eat? "Sir, Chapathi, porotta and Thalakkari," said the young owner of the hotel. I never tasted Thalakkari in my life, but that was the only curry-item available now. I told him to give two porottas and a plate of Thalakkari. The man asked the old lady to clean my table. A plastic plate covered with a plantain leaf was placed in front of me. I started eating the porotta, looking at the Thalakkari. Bones in different sizes and shapes. I literally struggled, after trying to bite the fleshy parts from the bones. But eating Thalakkari is an art in itself. I somehow finished the porottas with the help of the gravy. It made a huge noise when the rain water fell on the tin roof of the hotel.
Apparently, rain stopped after ten minutes. And I got up. The owner asked me, "Sir, why didn't you eat the Thalakkari?". I didn't expect a question like this from him. In city hotels, they don't care whether you eat or not. But this man was different. He was very upset that I left the Thalakkari and he wanted to know why. I immediately found an excuse. "Rain has stopped, and I have to reach Hosur in an hour," I told him. He was not very keen on taking money from me. I came out and started my Bullet. Was Thalakkari a wrong choice during the rain? No idea. But the hotel owner's question reverberated, seeking a clear answer from me. At 80kmph, my Bullet soon overtook the bony Thalakkari thoughts but the question... 

Comments

Salil said…
I had a similar attukal paya experience at an eatery in Chennai.
11:05 pm
mtsaju said…
Yeah, paya is smooth unlike the bony pieces in Thalakkari...
11:23 pm
mtsaju said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
11:23 pm
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