Idli is one of the most underrated snacks in the country and is often considered a pretty bland one! Although anyone can learn to make good idlis, there's only one man who can make 2,000 lip-smacking varieties of this dish! Meet M Eniyavan aka the Idli man of India who is on a mission to make idli, a go-to snack for everyone!
Humble beginnings
Before his tryst with destiny and idlis, he used to wait tables and later worked as an auto rickshaw driver. In his driving days, he met a woman who used to supply idli batter to local eateries. Eniyavan started helping her deliver the idlis and that's where he found his true calling. Inspired to make idlis a popular snack, he left his hometown with just two idli-makers to try his luck in Chennai. He started small and failed a couple of times before he became the Idli man we know today.
2000 varieties of idli
One would look at a round steamed rice cake and call it an idli, and that's absolutely right. But that’s not the only kind of idli, Eniyavan proved. His list includes idlis with chocolate, fruits, vegetables and idlis stuffed with chutney or flavours. You name it and he would’ve experimented with the kind! He even tried out various shapes that include butterflies and hearts, and experimented with different colours to create idlis as per everyone’s liking including kids.
Guinness World Record
Everyone knows what it takes to make or break a world record and guess what? Eniyavan earned his place in the Guinness Book of World records for making the heaviest idli ever that weighed a whopping 124.8 kg! On top of that, he’s also the founder of World idli day, celebrated every year since 2015 on 30th March, which happens to be his birthday.
A doctorate in idli-making
His expertise in idli-making and the extensive hardwork that went in inventing a variety of flavours, did not go unnoticed. To recognise his culinary research, he was even offered a doctorate degree by an American University!
Getting to the idlis
We are sure that by now you're dying to try the many flavors and variants of idli he has to offer. You can try them by ordering through his catering service, but they only cater to large orders and can be contacted at 09094800800 only in Chennai. But you can surely keep a look out for the idli man's stalls at popular exhibitions and food festivals!
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