A Mini-ILites Meet On 20th November!

Most Gracious ILites,

Rains were lashing the roads of Chennai for the second day in succession. Many areas remained waterlogged. The rains created many islands around this metro. Two of us ILites got into the auto-rickshaw for the half an hour ride to the Grand IL Meeting Lounge at Chithra's place. (Dont let your imagination run riot; the second ILite was none other than my wife, Indhusri)

We were welcomed by the PH of IL. (There is going to be a contest for expanding the acronym PH. Rush in your entries to this forum. Who knows you may get the prize)
Chithra and Viswanathan were at their gracious best. We indulged in some small talk for a while, when the bell rang.

Chithra opened the door to let in the 4th ILite, Mrs Malathy Jagan.

Needless to say the next thirty minutes were spent talking about IL and ILites. Chithra announced that the lunch was served.

Her lunch spread was as amazing as usual. This time I took the honour of photographing the spread. Chithra does not only know how to cook the food, but also how to dress them up for photo ops. Poor me, I had to stand up in a chair to get the full view of the menu. (Sridhar, you weigh close to a quintal. Dont break the chair. - Indhusri's anxiety was natural and spontaneous)

The next forty five minutes were spent in gastronomic indulgence.

And then another hour or so in talk, some vambu and then we took leave of Chithra and Viswanathan.

Chithra did not not want to make any post. Nor did Malathi Jagan wanted one. But an ILite meet-up, even if it is just four ILites, is an event to be celebrated. Hence I took the liberty of disobeying the two graceful ladies to make this post.

Pictures of the spread and of the ILites follow.

Thanks a ton, Chithra for the hosting, for the mouth-watering menu and for the excellent company. Thanks, Viswanathan Sir, for enlivening the company with your sharp quips. Thanks Malathi Jagan for joining us. And Thanks Indhusri for being there.

Love,

The menu was
Walnut Halwa
Pink Semiya payasam
Morkuzambu vadai
Jain tomato sadam
Seppankizangu roast
Brinjal-peanut kootu
Thayir idli
Amla pickle
Ragi oothappam with pudina chutney.

Chitvish flanked by Indhusri and Malathi Jagan

yours truly and Indhusri in the front.
Chitvish and Malathijagan in the back

Dear Sridhar, Indhu & Malathi,
It was my pleasure yesterday, to host you for a cosy get-together.
The lashing rains did not deter us from going ahead with our programme !
So much for the "warmth" between ILites even on a cold rainy day .

Sridhar, I have punished ILites enough with my photos repeatedly. Why do you continue to torture them?
More than our oonjal, my grey(ing) hair has become "symbolic", I think !
Thanks again, from me & V.
Love,
Chithra.
V comes out "in the open" in ILites meet only when you or Sri are around ! I am glad, he had a nice time too.

Dear Sridhar,

You did the right thing by overruling the wishes of two pretty ladies! Is it not true that when one likes a person, one wants to see her/him again and again? I feel I am missing out on something whenever a photo is not published in our columns regularly, and more so when it contains such interesting personalities:)
And the spread on the table.................I am not too sure if I want to see that again and again!! Because...I am so full of envy that I might burst........!
How does she manage that....
As usual, all of you are looking very smart and friendly and thanks for visiting my home..even if only virtually through my computer:)

L, Kamla

Thanks to all of you for posting this info and ofcourse the pictures
How many pictures we see of oonjal it will never be enough
It is a real treat to see the pictures and read the post desc.
Thanks again for posting.The food as always looks great
I am trying to guess what PH stands for no clue so far.please give clues for makku like me.!

Dear Chithra,

How could you have said no to those pictures?! I get to visit you virtually atleast by seeing those pics, I can almost feel myself sway smoothly on your oonjal/jhoola!!
I am sure our wonderful IT experts from India are developing ways to transfer the aromas and later the food itself through the e-transfer!! Mind you, you will have to cook a lot more then!
In the meanwhile...here I go for you...

L, Kamla

Hi Sridhar,

With the lashing rains, a meet-up with friends is like icing on the cake. And Chitu's recipes are always mouth watering.

Chitu,

I am sure you must be struggling to keep a tag on your wardrobe with the number of Fotus being clipped on the site. You have never repeated your Sarees... Your grey hair throws light on the experience that you hold on all sectors of life. You need not worry about them.

Bye friends

Dear Sridhar,
Thanks for posting the snaps.Good you disobeyed the two ladies. All IL lites would have missed the virtual feast of the food and oonjal photos.
Dear Chithu,
The variety you cook always makes my mouth water. Maaa perum virundhu that was.
May you host many such meet-ups. Touchwood!!!!!!!!!!
PS means ::::
Pleasant Host
Perfect Host
Pleasing Hours
Or what else?????????