Sporty action

If you are in the mood to get competitive, head to Chennai’s numerous board game cafes like The Boardroom India ( Mylapore and Anna Nagar), Gameistry in Egmore (which has over 1,000 games to choose from), Adyar’s The Board Game Lounge. Here, you can spend hours playing board games while sipping on coffee. Popular games at these cafes include Yellow Yangtze, Splendor Duel, Ten, Saltfjord, Azul: Summer Pavilion, Ticket to Ride: San Francisco, Can’t Stop, Catan: New Energies, The Red Cathedral, Space Alert, among others.

For those looking to break a sweat, book a session of pickleball at the city’s many courts. Turf Town, an app that lists all the courts in town shows 50-plus venue options for this sport in the city. Pickle On Top in Kilpauk, has a rooftop court, , just a stone’s throw away is Paddle Rattle, then there is Ice Water Sports Arena in Express Mall, providing an outdoor setting, and Smashville in Injambakkam which has tennis and pickleball courts. Ready to rally, mom?

The pickleball court at Express Avenue
| Photo Credit:
RAVINDRAN R

Always wanted to get your mother to try yoga? Here is your chance. Teri Kumar Yoga has planned a two-hour gentle yoga session this Sunday to commemorate Mother’s Day. The session comprises gentle yoga, a sound bath, post-session tea, and you get to take home a free polaroid photo of the two of you.

The session comprises gentle yoga and a sound bath
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Getty Images/iStock

The event is open to people with all levels of fitness, and asanas will be modified for those who prefer to practice seated on a chair instead of the yoga mat. Ticket is priced at ₹1,599 and includes entry for your mother and you. On May 11, 10.30 am to 12.30 pm at Ikigai The Space, Velachery. To register, WhatsApp 9003081725.

 The Ground Flour’s ‘You’re My Coffee’ hamper
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Special Arrangement

Brunch with me

If your mother is still making your morning coffee for you, it is time to return the love, but with a twist. At The Ground Flour (Chennai), Chef Mansi Sanghi has curated a thoughtful ‘You’re My Coffee’ hamper. Designed as a takeaway coffee carrier, it comes with a coffee cup filled with the classic tiramisu layered with espresso soaked vanilla sponge, mascarpone cream, and an intense dark chocolate coffee ganache. Alongside, is a compartment with a wild flower bouquet. The hamper is priced at ₹800. To order, call  9150518666.

Diners at a brunch
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Getty Images

At Six ‘O’ One, The Park Chennai’s all-day restaurant, a special brunch for Mother’s Day has been planned with special giveaways for all mothers. Alongside a live band performance, diners can savour dishes such as zucchini roulade, grilled prawn, smoked salmon, mixed vegetable and tofu dim sum, spinach and ricotta rotolo, among others. For dessert, there is bingsoo, a Korean shaved ice dessert made with condensed milk, chocolate sauce, strawberry compote, dry fruits and nuts. At ₹3,099 + taxes (per person) with alcohol, and ₹2,299 + taxes without alcohol.

Hidesign’s store in Puducherry

Fashion forward

Instead of last minute shopping, (yes, it is okay if you forgot Mother’s Day!) why not custom make something. Hidesign, which retails leather bags, wallets, belts, and footwear, gives you an option to craft your own wallets, and a range of bags at their physical stores. You can choose the design, shape, leather type (sheep, goat, deer, ostrich), colour, and also add personalised elements like name tags, buckles, and emboss names. Custom wallets are priced upwards of ₹4,000 at their outlets across the country.

The Soluna Experience is planning a getaway to Goa for solo women travellers

Out and about

Everybody loves some me time. You can book a solo trip for your mother with Goa’s luxe travel company The Soluna Experience. A getaway for solo women travellers is being planned in Goa next month, which is also the best time to enjoy the State’s monsoon season. The trip will be curated for just 12 guests at a time, and includes treks and trails through the Western Ghats, walks across Goa’s villages, a taste of the local cuisine, and more. Upwards of ₹70,000. For details, call” 9972924025.

A view of the Fort Museum at Fort St. George
| Photo Credit:
JOTHI RAMALINGAM B

Want to head out but are not in the mood to cafe hop? A walking tour of the city could be a great bonding activity. Choose from the many heritage and cultural walking tours offered by the likes of Madras Inherited and Storytrails, across Georgetown, Mylapore, Marina Beach, and in Mamallapuram. These walks take you to popular sites such as Santhome Basilica, Ramakrishna Math, and Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore, the lighthouse and fishing hamlets along Marina Beach, and Fort St. George, St. Mary’s Church, local  markets, the Armenian Church, and more in Georgetown.

The food at Ratna Cafe in Triplicane
| Photo Credit:
RAVINDRAN R

Food walks in Sowcarpet and Triplicane are another option to learn about the localities. Relish Sowcarpet’s murukku sandwiches, thattu idli, aloo tikki chaat and raj kachori at Kakada Ramprasad, podi idli and ghee dosa at Seena Bhai Tiffin Center, and in Triplicane, visit the classics such as Ratna Cafe, and Basha Halwawala among others.

Rajesh Khanna, the first superstar of Indian cinema, ruled hearts in the 60s and 70s. His charm, popularity and larger-than-life stardom made him a household name. Fans would go crazy just to get a glimpse of him, especially outside his iconic bungalow, ‘Aashirwad’. But long before she became a famous actress and his wife, Dimple Kapadia was just another teenage fan, one who was once turned away from his very doorstep.The day a young fan was denied entryAs reported by News 18, before entering the world of films, Dimplewas a regular school-going girl. She was a student at St Joseph’s Convent and, like many others of her time, deeply admired Rajesh Khanna. During the release of his 1970 film ‘Safar’, Dimple was so eager to watch it that she bunked her classes and went to the cinema.The film clearly made a strong impression on her. Afterwards, filled with excitement and admiration, Dimple headed straight to Rajesh Khanna’s home — the famous ‘Aashirwad’ bungalow — hoping to meet the superstar in person.However, her hopes were dashed when the guards at the gate stopped her. She told them she was a huge fan and wanted to meet him. But the guards reportedly said that the ‘Anand’ actor wasn’t at home and asked her to leave.A surprise sighting and a confrontationJust as Dimple was about to walk away disappointed, she noticed a car entering the house. Out of the vehicle stepped Anju Mahendru, a model, fashion designer and actress who, at that time, was in a live-in relationship with Rajesh Khanna.Realising that the guards had lied to her, Dimple confronted them. But instead of allowing her to go in, they allegedly threatened to call the police. Faced with no choice, Dimple had to leave immediately. It’s a moment that stands out in the history of their relationship, a time when Dimple Kapadia, who would one day be Khanna’s wife, wasn’t even allowed to step inside his home.A star-studded weddingA few years later, in March 1973, life took a dramatic turn for both of them. Rajesh and Dimple tied the knot in a lavish ceremony. At the time, Dimple hadn’t even made her film debut. In fact, she got married just before the release of her first film, ‘Bobby’. The wedding created a huge buzz across the country. It was a union of India’s biggest male superstar and a fresh young face soon to become a star herself.Trouble in paradiseBut despite the grand beginning, the marriage wasn’t smooth. Problems began to show after Rajesh Khanna became involved with Tina Munim, a budding actress at the time. This affair created tensions in the couple’s relationship. Eventually, in 1984, Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia separated. However, they never officially divorced. Despite the separation, the two maintained a respectful and friendly relationship.They were often seen together at social events, political rallies and other public occasions, showing the world that even though their marriage didn’t work out, they still cared for one another. Their bond remained intact till the very end. Even after years of being apart, Dimple was by Khanna’s side during his final days.He passed away on 18 July 2012 at his home, ‘Aashirwad’ — the same place where, years ago, a young Dimple was once turned away. The story had come full circle.

Meet the doctor who has a gut feeling about everything. This is a pun that gastroenterologist Dr Pal (Palaniappan) Manickam, is well used to. Interestingly, he is also a standup comedian and perhaps that is why, for him, puns are as important as probiotics. He likes to call his genre of comedy MedCom (medical comedy) and his repertoire covers everything from fermented foods and diet plans to menopause, bowel health, and fatty liver. Guest speakers like cricketer S Badrinath and renowned doctors also feature in his Reels to discuss current topics.

Originally from Madurai, and now shuttling between Sacramento (California) and Chennai, the doctor consults and also does stand up shows across the US, and Chennai. He did a few shows in Malaysia, and Singapore, with upcoming acts scheduled in Seattle, Minneapolis, and Chicago in May and in Mumbai in July.

“I like being on stage and talking to people,” says Dr Pal who is in Chennai on a quick visit. “My wife and sons (aged three and five) moved to India last year because my wife wanted to raise our kids in Chennai; she is from here. And we also wanted them to spend time with their grandparents — that bond is important,” he says.

In the next six months, Dr Pal plans to set up a gut health clinic in Chennai. “We practise something called preventive gastroenterology”, he says, adding that he focusses on sustainable lifestyle changes and aims to reverse chronic diseases. A believer in intermittent fasting, Dr Pal says this is something he started doing when he had a health scare in 2015.

“I was working as a full-time gastroenterologist in 2015 in California. While examining a patient, I started getting palpitations and chest pain. I was sitting on a medical bed thinking what did I do wrong? I was 100 kilos. But when I had moved to the US I was 60 kilos. So, I started doing everything from paleo and keto diet to yoga and personal training. I realised everything is scattered around and despite being a medical professional I was not able to follow it. These things need to be individualised for all. I came across intermittent fasting. It is such a powerful method that it could also reverse fatty liver. I learnt about diet, macros, fibres, proteins. My weight came down to 70 kgs and I continue to be the same weight since 2017. Mindful eating is important,” he adds.

Through Medcom, Dr Pal uses his medical knowledge to educate a larger group of people via social media. He has 1.6 million followers on Instagram. And just like the Marvel Universe, there is a Dr Pal Universe with its set of characters. There is Saravana Kumar, his wife Tirupurasundari, and a patient named Aarogyasamy, the earnest Subramani who listens to everything the doctor says, Kapil Sharma, Marc Anthony, Abhijit Chakraborty… “Then to add masala, I made Aarogyasamy, Tirupurasundari’s ex-boyfriend,” he laughs.

During the pandemic, his first video about COVID-19 awareness went viral. It received five million views. The next video he uploaded got an embarrassingly low number of views. “So, I thought I was a one-time wonder,” he laughs. Then in January 2021, he uploaded a video about Covid vaccines and that went viral again. After which he also got a call from Bldg 18, a comedy club in San Francisco Bay Area; they said his content was apt and delivery very natural. I realised comedy is serious business. So, I did a course at Punch Line Comedy Club in Sacramento, on how to write a set. If I deliver something and people laugh, that gives me a high,” he says. Despite his busy medical schedule, Dr Pal puts out three Reels every week. “I am not tied to the outcome of the Reel. As long as I am giving good info, I am okay,” he says.

He adds that there has been a sudden surge in interest in gut health. But there is a misconception that gut means stomach; it is not. “Gut is your large intestine and colon,” he explains. While there are over-the-counter prebiotic and probiotic solutions readily available nowadays, Dr Pal says, the best homemade probiotic is the raita. Add tomatoes to it along with cucumber, spices, and boiled chana or rajma and you will get all the complex carbs with this. “There are 100 trillion gut bacteria. We realised every disease is linked to a particular group of bacteria. Probiotic supplement as a tablet is just shooting in the dark. Even when you know that there is a group of bacteria that might not be good based on your stool sample, we may not know whether that is the bacteria that is causing you the problem. That is why many probiotic capsules may or may not work for many people,” he explains.

He suggests the 30-3-1 rule to boost gut health. “Thirty grams of protein for breakfast (for example three whole eggs and three egg whites), three fermented dishes in a day (maybe idli in the morning, curd in the afternoon, and dhokla, kanji for dinner) and one hour of physical activity,” he says, adding, “Most importantly people should stop looking for quick fixes. There is no quick fix. Bad gut health is directly proportional to the amount of abuse that you have put your gut through in the past. For example, if you have abused your gut for 10 years, you cannot expect it to go back to normal in a week. It is a minimum three-month process and requires a lifestyle change.”