Part 1: Veganism in a South Indian Kitchen

The heart of my home was always the kitchen, a vibrant part of the house that is perpetually buzzing with activity except for that very important quiet afternoon post-lunch nap. While many believe that a woman being in the kitchen is very cliche, stereotypical and anti-feminist, my grandmothers and theirs before them, were the Queens of not just the kitchen but the entire household and the women in my family are testament to this. I have seen the way my mothers, grandmothers, athais and more have carried themselves gracefully through the years, churning out one incredible dish after another. A typical day in the house of Tamil Brahmins is centred around the multiple meals, teas and tiffins we have; and when we say meals, we mean plates of food that are essentially ten course endeavors on  a single plate and the best part? Most of what is on our plate is Saatvic, plant-based and deeply rooted in nature, respect to her and philosophy.

And that has always been a no-brainer for me. Animals. I’ve loved every type of animal since I can remember. From the stray cats and dogs that roamed our street to the squirrels in the garden and the cows we’d see on our drives or in temples, I’ve always felt a deep connection with them. The idea of consuming an animal, of them being anything other than companions on our planet, worthy of our respect, has never crossed my mind. They’ve always held a special place in my heart, a space reserved for beings of pure innocence and unconditional love. It's as if they speak a language only understood by the soul, a language that has resonated with me since I was very young. To me, animals are not just creatures; they are individuals with their own stories, feelings, and unique personalities deserving of care and protection, not our consumption.

I am slightly digressing. But I do that a lot so you will have a fun time wandering around my website should you choose to spend a few minutes of your time that way, figuring out the pieces of my puzzling posts. What I do want to say here is that being vegetarian and now vegan is all I have ever known. And even when I did learn about the side that isn’t the one I’m a part of, I still didn’t feel inclined in any way to want it, and I never will be. I am literally kissing a chicken in this photo, not hoping it will turn into a Prince, but because that is the kind of love all animals deserve. So, my dear readers, I do hope you return for more of this series, through which I aim to bring you some of the finest of the traditional Palakkad Iyer cuisine, the philosophical aspects that come with the diversity of flavours, variety of food and the significance behind the ways in which we eat. But most of all,  it is a heartfelt sharing of my deep love for both the animal kingdom and how my culture honours each and every one of them. Beauty may lie in the eye of the beholder but for me, it lies in a heart of compassion. 
Love,
Metal Maami.