Author Archives: rgeeta

Papaya leaf and immunity

Posted on September 16, 2023 by rgeeta

Some recent studies on effects of papaya leaf extract Otsuki N, Dang NH, Kumagai E, Kondo A, Iwata S, Morimoto C 2010. Aqueous extract of Carica papaya leaves exhibits anti-tumor activity and immunomodulatory effects. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 127: 760-767 In … Continue reading →

Posted in Plants and People | Leave a comment

தேங்காய் பூ — Edible Coconut Cotyledon

Posted on June 1, 2023 by rgeeta

தேங்காய் பூ, thEngAi poo is the delicious spongy/crispy, edible cotyledon of the coconut that develops at the time of germination. Once the fruit is mature, the seed is ready to germinate. Often, at the time when coconuts are being readied … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Plants and People | Leave a comment

நான் ஒரு விளையாட்டு பொம்மையா – naan oru viLayattu bommayya

Posted on February 15, 2023 by rgeeta

Composer: Papanasam Sivan; Ragam: Navarasa Kanada, Talam: Adi D.K. Pattammal Madurai TN Seshagopalan 1998 Violin – M.A Sundareswaran; Mrudangam – Guruvayur Dorai; Ghatam – S.V. Ramani Maharajapuram Santhanam 2006 Bombay Sisters 2008 Nithyasree Mahadevan 2009 Sikkil Gurucharan, Anil Srinivasan 2015 … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Leave a comment

On retinas and occlusions

Posted on February 14, 2023 by rgeeta

Recently, I developed a blockage of a vein in the retina of the eye (branch retinal vein occlusion, BRVO). Because of this, fluid accumulates in the eye (forming an oedema). This in turn distorts a portion of my vision, with … Continue reading →

Posted in Life is like that only, People | Leave a comment

Darwin Day

Posted on February 13, 2023 by rgeeta

Happy Birthday, Darwin! Charles Darwin’s name is tightly linked to the idea that evolution, or descent with change, which is brought about by the process of natural selection. Another biologist, Alfred Wallace, also formulated similar ideas at the same time. … Continue reading →

Posted in Dilli o Dilli, Namma Chennai, Science, Science literacy, Society | 2 Comments

On cataracts and sinister left and dextrous right eyes

Posted on December 25, 2022 by rgeeta

When you reach a certain age, you tend to develop cataracts, cloudy lenses. And so it was with me. And you have the cataracts removed surgically. And so it was with me, I now have brand new, foldable intra-ocular lenses … Continue reading →

Posted in Life is like that only, People | Leave a comment

காவல் கரங்கள் Kaaval Karangal Chennai — help for the destitute

Posted on November 20, 2022 by rgeeta

காவல் கரங்கள் Kaaval Karangal An initiative of Greater Chennai Police to assist abandoned uncared persons 132, Commissioner Office Building, EVK Sampath Road, Vepery 600007 https://www.facebook.com/Kavalkarangal/ https://twitter.com/kavalkarangal?lang=en Maheshwari “does” the kitchen and garden at home. After she finishes work here (at about … Continue reading →

Posted in Life is like that only, Namma Chennai, People, Society | Leave a comment

Quasi Eastern Mediterranean recipes

Posted on October 20, 2022 by rgeeta

Modified from ‘The Cooking of the Eastern Mediterranean” Paula Wolfert Pomegranate molasses: Two cups fresh pomegranate juice; 1/3 cup sugar (I added less, brown sugar); 1/3 cup lemon juice (I added lime juice). Boil, reduce to abt 1/3 cup–rather, to … Continue reading →

Posted in Quasi-recipes | Leave a comment

Pirambu/Vetra/Calamus

Posted on September 27, 2021 by rgeeta

Calamus rotang L., distributed in the drier parts of peninsular India. (Often confused with C. australis Mart., which occurs in N and E Queensland, Australia) Tamiz பிரபங் கிழங்கு Pirapan kizhangu, Pirambu kizhangu and others [FRHLT] Sanskrit वेत्रफल [vetraphala] [vetra-phala ] the fruit of Vetra Lit. Suśr. http://sanskrit.uohyd.ac.in/Heritage/MW/249.html http://sanskritdictionary.com/?q=vetra vetra … Continue reading →

Posted in Plants and People | Leave a comment

Thakkali Vattal and Manga Thira

Posted on June 22, 2021 by rgeeta

Inspired by the abundance of cheap tomatoes and the intensely hot days of May during a COVID-19 lockdown, I decide to make sun-dried tomatoes. Definitely worth it, despite the spells of rain (naturally) that threatened the enterprise. “Thakkali vattal-aa?” exclaims Maheswari. … Continue reading →

Posted in Food | Leave a comment