Happy New Year

No, I am not oudated :) Yesterday, 13th April marks the Indian New Year.

Wikipedia states:

Puthandu, (Tamil: புத்தாண்டு) also known as Varusha pirappu, is celebrated as New Year's Day in Tamil Nadu. It is celebrated on the first day of the Tamil month Chithirai, which falls on the 13th or 14th of April. Women draw patterns called kolams. A lamp called a kuttuvilaku is placed on the center of the kolam, to eradicate darkness. A ritual called kanni takes place. Kanni means 'auspicious sight'. People watch jewellery, fruits, vegetables, flowers, nuts, rice etc., as it is a belief among Tamil people that it brings prosperity. People wear new clothes and special dishes are prepared for the occasion.

Back in Malaysia, New Year is one of those days where Mom cooks heaps of authentic Indian vegetarian food - ranging from sambar, thosai, vadai, idli and so on. Being a foodie and refusing to be all mopey and homesick, I've been attempting at making all these dishes myself, far far away in Scandinavia. Suffice to say, it was a success - I made idli, date and tamarind chutney and sambar - ate them for lunch and dinner yesterday, and also for lunch today. Now, that is good food :)