By Hemang Palan

An illustrious English writer, Virginia Woolf once said: "One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well."

A builder-turned-restaurateur, and a well-known Mumbai-based entrepreneur, Gautam Maganlal Thacker’s newly opened UDUPI GOVINDAS restaurant in Thane thus provides an excellent opportunity to food enthusiasts and diners who intend to relish delicious and authentic South Indian Udupi food. UDUPI GOVINDAS’ co-owner and Gautam Thacker’s business partner, Parmeshwar Poojari runs a successful catering business.

Udupi cuisine is a cuisine of South India. It forms an important part of Tuluva cuisine and takes its name from Udupi, a city on the southwest coast of India in the Tulunadu region of the state of Karnataka. Udupi cuisine has its origin in the Udupi Sri Krishna Matha founded by Madhvacharya. The cuisine was developed by Madhva Brahmins to offer different kinds of food to Krishna at the Udupi Krishna Temple. Hence, Udupi cuisine is also synonymously known as Madhva cuisine. Udupi cuisine comprises dishes made primarily from grains, beans, vegetables, and fruits. The variety and range of dishes is wide, and a hallmark of the cuisine involves the use of locally available ingredients. The famous dosa (thick crisp pancakes, plain or masala when stuffed with potatoes) is said to have originated from this cuisine.

Gautan Thacker said, “Udupi cuisine, originated in the 13th century, is known for its unique cooking style that emphasizes usage of local ingredients, simplicity, and also holistic well-being.”

The full course Udupi meal is served on a plantain leaf, which is traditionally kept on the ground. The dishes are served in a particular sequence, and each dish is placed on a particular spot of the plantain leaf. All the people eating this meal are expected to begin and end eating the meal together. A person cannot get up in the middle of the meal, even though he has finished his meal. The start and end of the meal is done by saying "Govinda," the name of Lord Vishnu.