A variety of mixtures can be prepared at home as liquids to cure adults of common ailments and they are called ‘Kashayams’. The ingredients are given in the native names and are available in the country drug shops. 

Kids are synonymous with energy and enthusiasm. Their ability to grasp information is amazing and they require undivided attention and entertainment. It becomes a need to give them exposure to different arts and sports so that they not only spend their time usefully but also channelise their energy positively.

Sania, Leander, Mahesh…  Do these names ring a bell? Yes Tennis, the popular game in which our country has produced some fine tennis players. They have played and won laurels for the country becoming icons for aspiring youngsters who want to take tennis as a profession and have subsequently taken active interest in training the next generation.

Energetic, cheerful, lively and pleasant are some qualities which help me describe this grand old lady at 80 who manages her business and home with equal ease and care. Ankuri Devi is a woman who lost her husband at a very young age and was left stranded with two children.

‘Cooking is an art which makes eating a treat’, advocates this woman who strongly believes that traditional cooking methods should be compiled and documented for the sake of the future generations. Santhi Balaraman who has developed a passion for cooking over the years has taken great efforts to ensure that our age old, simple and healthy dishes do not fade away with time.

Sivaji – the Boss, is the buzz around the globe where Indians reside. The much awaited movie by superstar Rajinikanth got released a month ago and one of the widely spoken aspects was his age defying looks as Sivaji. I met the woman, who was largely responsible for his youthful looks and hairstyles, make-up artiste Banu. 

Brushes and colours, drawing sheets and canvas, shades and strokes fascinated her as a child and she grew up painting and sketching in different mediums until Priya Natraj discovered her passion for pen and ink works.  About 12 years back, she reproduced the Brahadeeswara temple, Tanjavur, Tamil Nadu with only small black lines on white paper and that was an instant hit.

Steaming hot idlis soaked in tasty sambar is typically South Indian and this combination reminds Chennaites of no other place than Rathna Café standing in the heart of Triplicane, Chennai.  All those who have been here atleast once, would vouch that they savoured that experience and would love to indulge in the same again. Smelling the aroma of lunch, I entered this old place and met the owner, Rajendra Gupta.

Rathna Café was opened in 1948 by Tiruloknath Gupta.  It originally had about 80 seats in the ground floor, 40 seats in the first floor and later on the air-conditioned wing was added.  Rajendra Gupta bought it from his uncle in the year 2002 and today it has 340 seats in Triplicane, with branches having sprung up in T Nagar, Velachery, inside Tidel Park campus and recently in Triuvanmiyur.

Lighthouse is a visual aid to navigation and is a conspicuous structure on land, close to the shore line or in the water. By day, it may be identified by its shape, color and day mark. Generally, it is provided with a powerful light.

I have seen the Smiling Buddha on the shelf of almost all gift shops that I visit, when I need to buy a gift for someone. Invariably if I am looking for a gift for a new home or a new office, it always crosses my mind to buy one of those Smiling Buddha statues.  Smiling Buddha has come to represent several beneficial attributes such as happiness, prosperity and contentment. People in East Asia such as China and Japan place the Smiling Buddha statue in their homes and offices in order to attract these attributes into their lives and the same has percolated into our society also.

Women visiting beauty parlours for various treatments, skin care and hair care are increasing everyday as today women are more conscious of their looks and also believe that a better appearance enhances their personality. One of the parlours in the city of Chennai, which has been thriving is Maha Beauty Parlour which has earned a good name and their course is in popular demand among aspiring beauticians.

Maha Beauty Parlour at Mylapore, Chennai was buzzing with activity in the evening as I walked in to meet the friendly and lively proprietor, Mahalakshmi who exuded confidence and determination.