I am 42-years-old. I started cooking at the age of 12, when I ran away from my village Kallarkulam near Idaikattur in search of a livelihood. I left behind my parents and siblings to earn for them. They continue to stay in the village where they are trying to revive agriculture. I have worked in restaurants at Dharapuram, Thirupuvanam and Coimbatore. I learnt the art of cooking from one of my relatives who cooked for marriages. I have passed on the cooking methods to my colleagues in the restaurant.
I came to Madurai 17 years ago. Ever since I have worked in the same mess at Tallakulam. I work from noon to midnight, making biryanis and a variety of salna and gravy. My specialities are mutton chukka, kudal and thala curry gravy and nattu kozhi. The milagu kulambu I make has a great fan following. I have invented certain recipes such as the nenju kulambu, eeral masala and moolai poriyal. The compliments I get from customers make me happy and satisfied.
I draw a salary of 15,000 per month, with which I run my family. I own a house in K.Pudur. My wife Rathnam is a homemaker and she cooks better than me. During the weekends, I cook at home also. I have a 14-year-old daughter and a 10-year-old son. Though I am fifth-standard school dropout, I make sure my children get good education. I don’t want them to lead a hard life. However, I owe everything in life to Goddess Meenakshi, for this is her land where all are welcome.
ADVERTISEMENT