Saraswathy Narayanaswamy, a vibrant 89-year-old from Bengaluru, is winning hearts on Instagram through her page @theiyerpaati. Draped in a traditional South cotton saree with a simple gold chain, black bindi, and vibhuti, she combines grace, wisdom, and a modern touch, making her mark on social media. Known fondly as paati (grandmother), Saraswathy’s voice radiates warmth as she shares her cherished recipes, including the popular thenga paal rasam (coconut milk rasam), aiming to not only satisfy hunger but also warm the heart.
Early culinary journey
Saraswathy’s love for cooking started at a young age in Calicut, where she grew up in a large family as the ninth of 16 children. Her mother passed away when she was just 11, and she found her maternal aunt (chitti) to be a guiding figure, teaching her the basics of cooking through observation. “I learned by watching her make sambar, rasam, and other traditional dishes. She also taught me to make sweets like Mysore pak, which I excel at,” says Saraswathy with a smile.
A culinary bond in Bengaluru
After marrying in 1959, Saraswathy moved to Bengaluru with her husband, where her culinary talents soon gained local fame. Her home in Rajaji Nagar became well-known as “maami mane,” where she taught recipes and hosted many friends and neighbors. Food was more than a necessity for Saraswathy—it was a means of expression, bringing people together.
Her granddaughter, Meenakshi, recalls how Saraswathy’s husband helped with household chores, and together they made pickles. Saraswathy fondly remembers her mother-in-law praising her for her culinary skills, especially when making pickles or performing Aadi masam rituals.
Embracing Instagram with family support
In 2023, the idea to start an Instagram page took shape when Saraswathy recorded a video on tying an aranai kair (a black thread to ward off evil). Encouraged by her granddaughter, they decided to share Saraswathy’s recipes online. Initially focusing on simple, everyday dishes, the duo soon delved into traditional South Indian Palakkad recipes, capturing Saraswathy’s vast culinary knowledge. Though hesitant at first, Saraswathy agreed to share her recipes, with Meenakshi handling the production side.
Today, Saraswathy’s Instagram page is filled with gratitude from followers who appreciate her easy-to-make, nutritious South Indian recipes. Her inspiring presence on social media is a reminder that age is no barrier to learning or sharing what you love.
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