Chutney. (A Poem)

The sizzling sounds that beckon me,
With the indescribable aroma of
Fresh tempering: Mustard seeds, Red Chillies and Curry Leaves.
Is it Dosa? Is it Idli? I wonder
Well, does it matter?

Because the show stopper is the same always,
Chutney: The Condiment that tickles my tastebuds,
Making everything come together
In a frenzied dance on my palate.

Sometimes sweet, sometimes spicy
And every time flavourful,
A medley of spices and aromatics.

A crisp hot Dosa lands on my plate
Next comes a scoop full of Chutney
Oh yes, a considerable helping is a must
To do justice to this humble, yet glorious dish.

Chutneys that come in various colours:
Green Chutney, with coriander and mint
Having a dance of their own,
Parathas, Tikkis and Cutlets embrace them.

Red Chutney, fiery with the spice of the chillies
Making their mark on my tastebuds,
Chaats eagerly embrace this with arms wide open.

Sweet Chutney, my favourite of all,
The dates and the tang of the tamarind create magic,
Ain’t no better pairing than Samosas with it.

Tomato Chutney, the rich and luxurious feel,
That makes me savour every morsel of it.

And of course, the original one,
The pristine White Coconut Chutney,
The most sociable of the lot,
Dosa, Idli, Vada, Fritters,
They are best friends forever.

No matter the ingredients, no matter the blend,
Culinary treasures are Chutneys,
The harmony that they create on our plates
Makes the joy of eating memorable.