The Thinnai

 My painting in progress shots

The Thinnai is a covered platform or verandah in front of traditional houses. Most people spend their day at the thinnai. Cooking , sleeping, chitchatting with neighbors and relatives also happen in this verandah...

I was inspired by a photograph in a local newspaper. The grandma is cooking at the background while her granddaughter is studying with her laptop (given to government school kids by the Tamil Nadu chief minister's education program). 

The lighted balloons

 My painting in progress shots

Clicked on the way

 A lay worshipping by a small temple under a peepal tree... Clicked on the way in Mumbai 

Jailer

Yesterday (August 15th) was India's 77th Independence day. It was a holiday and we ended the day by watching the much awaited Super star Rajinikanth block buster action movie " Jailer" 

This was my 2nd Rajini movie in theatres in the last 10 years. The previous one was 'Pettai'. 

The movie is only about Rajini-ism..If you leave your brain at home and go watch only with your heart, you will not complain. Rajini at 73 has given what his fans want.. his swag and style are mesmerizing! Beyond Rajini there's nothing great in the film. Anirudh 's music is loud and his bgms do justice to the "mass" genre. Director Nelson had impressed me with his black comedy and comic timing in his debut movie 'kolamavu kokila'. But here in jailer the comedy clicks in very few places. 

The short and forced cameos by Mohanlal and especially Shivarajkumar are cool with lots of goosebump moments. Their screen presence keeps you craving for more from them. 

Overall an entertainer if you come mentally prepared for the Rajini show!

 

Shivanna and Laletta at their stylish best...

 

The Parotta Master

 My painting in progress shots

The Paniyaram paati

 The granny who sells kuzi Paniyaram..

My painting in progress shots

Dinner at Taawoon

Taawoon is a multi cuisine restaurant at Kothanur, about 3kms from my house. We had tried the food here a couple of times in the past but were not too impressed. But that was before the covid lockdown  years. We again decided to give it a try this week as it was close by (and I did not wish to drive far in the evening Bangalore traffic). We found the ambience plesant and slightly quite as it was a weekday and even the menu card looked rebranded. The food turned out to be lovely too. 

Taawoon is basically focused on Kerala cuisine (owners seem to be gulf mallus) and more specifically Sea food. But you also get an array of Arabic , Chinese, north Indian and continental dishes. 

For starters we tried Beijing Chicken and Squid fry. Beijing chicken was crispy and well made with the right touch of spiciness! The Squid was also very crispy and soft and went very well with the mayo sauce. For the main course my daughter went for her usual butter Naan and butter chicken masala. While me and my wife decided to share a mutton Biriyani. The Biriyani was in typical Kerala style with very mild flavors. For someone like me who prefers the strong Madurai/Dindigul type of Biriyanis , this style was quite timid and light. The butter chicken was one of the best we have tried in a few years.

I finished with a lemon juice while my wife had a mango Lassi. Nithila had her favorite chocolate milk shake. We decided to come back and try few more dishes next time :) 

Beijing chicken starter

Squid fry

 

Main course 

Chocolate milk shake and lime juice

Colors of Bengaluru

 Clicked  on the way