Being a vegetarian, I wasnt sure if it was fair, being paired withNakkheeran R.R. Gopal. But Gopal, although he prefers non-veg, said foodwasnt a real issue. We finally settled for Swathi on Peters Road, a high-endvegetarian joint. Looking back, I realise Gopal was right, food was hardly on our minds aswe got talking. Swathi is crowded but a pleasingly done-up place. Since it offers all-vegfare, Gopal let me do the ordering. We started with cream of mushroom soup for myself anda vegetable clear soup for him. The manager suggested the fried specialsBaby CornVaruvaland and Senai (yam) Varuval. As we munched on the snacks, Gopal narrated his jungleexperiences and the food Veerappan and Co. served. I felt nauseous when he described theudumbu (iguana) meat, or when he saw Veerappan suck the blood out of a monkeys neck.For the main course, I ordered a Swathi South Indian thali. Unless I eat rice, sambar,rasam and curd, I dont feel as if I have had a meal. Gopal opted for HyderabadiBiriyani, alas with no chicken in sight. Gopal and I got to talking about the local-bodypolls, Afghanistan, how Chennaites to this day ask your caste before they rent you ahouse, etc. Neither of us liked the idea of spending so much money on food. But wewouldnt have otherwise been able to meet. Gopal invited me to his new office and weended the day with a new payasam made of yeleneer (tender coconut). Ultimatedelight.
