Idli has become one of the most sought-after breakfasts in the world. It is easy to cook, pocket-friendly, healthy, and utterly delicious comfort food which is why it has found a forever place on our menu.
Yet how many varieties of Idli have you tried? I bet most people only know of the plain all-white steamed Idlis, and maybe with the current wave of conscious eating a few low-calorie varieties have come to the front. But you would be surprised to know that there’s a man from Chennai who has invented and is actively serving 2547+ varieties of Idlis and vows to create even more. Yes, how heard us right!
M Eniyavan, fondly known as the Idli Man or Idli Eniyavan is the genius behind this whopping number of Idlis. He runs his own restaurant named Mallippu Idli (in Chennai) and is also believed to have instituted March 30 as World Idli Day in 2015. He takes up innovative initiatives to mark the day every year.
For his feat, he was presented a doctorate from an American university. Eniyavan has even tried his hand at entering the Guinness Book of World Records by preparing idli weighing 124.8 kg.
Today, his restaurant in Chennai gets bulk orders and is one of the prominent attractions for food lovers from all over the country.
Becoming Idli Man
Eniyavan told LifeBeyondNumbers that, Idli is what he wakes up to every morning, and its batter is the last thing he sees before going to bed.
But it wasn’t his first profession or means of income in the beginning. In fact, Eniyavan had no experience in cooking at all. Coming from Coimbatore, Eniyavan had to struggle to meet ends. He was a Class VIII drop out and so with no or little formal education, he had to wait at tables and wash tea glasses to earn a living. Later on, he learned to drive and got an auto.
It was during his time as an auto driver when Eniyavan met a customer with a huge trough of idli batter. Her name was Chandra, who made idlis to be sold at small eateries in her locality. Once she became a regular in his auto, Eniyavan started delivering her idlis. She is the primary source of inspiration that led Eniyavan to find his calling for Idlis.
“I came to Chennai with two idliandas (steamers) in 1997 and found a place to stay — a thatch roof house — in North Chennai and got to work immediately. But my first batch was a failure. There was heavy rain that day and I lost everything, including the batter,” remembers Eniyavan speaking of his rough start.
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During his initial days, he realized that people found Idli very basic and that he needed to do something new to stand out.
“I wanted to ensure that Idli gets its due. Some feel that idli is boring. I wanted to change that,” he reasons.
And so began his innovations. Eniyavan deviated from traditional Idlis and made tender coconut Idlis which marked his experiment although it was one of the traditional recipes.
“I added coconut water to the batter instead of water. This is nothing new. My grandmother would do this when she readied batter for appam,” explains Eniyavan.
The response was amazing so there was no looking back. Then Eniyavam went on to make thattu and cup idlis, in which he steams batter in plates and cups. He also offered Mickey Mouse-shaped idlis, Kung Fu Panda idlis, valentine’s special idlis, and so and so forth. He ground added greens, beetroot, and lots many ingredients as anything is tasty in idli form as he says.
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There’s one special Idli that he made for his own kids – a son named Anbu Eniyavan who pursues B.Com., and a daughter who pursues MBBS.
“My children once asked for pizza so I reached for the idli batter and steamed it in a plate and topped it with the afternoon’s leftover poriyal. Thus was born the pizza idli,” he reminisces.
Eniyavan’s wife and children have been a constant support in his venture. Several other family members have also become part of Mallippu Idli.
“I am currently studying B.Com. and helping dad with his work occasionally. He wants me to finish my studies first which I will. I plan to stay by his side in the business and create more Idlis, keeping the legavy alive,” said Anbu.
We are dying to taste his Idlis. Have you tried it already?