The Andhra Meal Story

I thought of this Andhra Meal story a few years ago. So far, I didn't publish the story. I stayed in Bangalore for a few years, and have visited a few cities and towns in South India. I personally like Andhra Meal very much. 

Before we go to the story, possibly it would be helpful to briefly define what an Andhra Meal is. You may skip the introduction and jump to the main story directly.

Andhra Meal

Andhra Meal is a South Indian food platter, mostly vegetarian, that includes rice as a staple, a variety of curries, dal (pappu in Telugu), sambar, rasam, buttermilk, and spices (such as kandhi podi/gun powder). The name "Andhra Meal" comes from Andhra Pradesh; however, Andhra Meal is quite popular in all the states in South India. This is a complete meal (thali) that completely fills one's stomach and is generally consumed as lunch or dinner.

Andhra Meal includes rice and various curries
Image source: Wikimedia Commons

The Andhra Meal Story

This was an early winter afternoon when a group of friends (or office colleagues) in Bengaluru (Bangalore) decided to have lunch at an Andhra restaurant. They each ordered an Andhra Meal, and as soon as the food arrived, everyone started to eat.

One if them started with rice and dal. Another paused briefly before pouring sambar over their rice. Someone asked for extra rasam, while another completely skipped that dish. One person took an extra portion of Kandhi podi, a spice mix, yet another friend declared they don't use it with their meal.

This brings up a question: were all of them truly having an "Andhra Meal"?

Yes! Despite their individual preferences, habits or methodology, every single one of them was indeed having an Andhra Meal. When food is served to a group, people will naturally customise it. Some might skip the rasam, others might ask for extra papad, but it remains, at its core, an Andhra Meal.

Thoughts

This "Andhra Meal" scenario happens frequently in groups, teams, and even societies. It's common to think that if others aren't doing something exactly as we would, then they must be incorrect. But that might not be true.

Consider any work, task, or project. Just because someone chooses a different process or pattern than the one we'd follow, we often quickly to dismiss and discredit their approach. Or they do the same for our approach.

Yet, as long as the overall structure or goal remains sound, individuals will naturally find their own methods. This could be called the "Andhra Meal Way."

Andhra Meal served in a restaurant in Domlur, Bangalore.
If we serve the Andhra Meal to a group of people, everyone will have it in their own way.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Caveat lector

This caveat lector is crucial. In "The Andhra Meal Story," we are assuming good faith that individuals are inherently honest and focused on the shared objectives and mission. If dishonesty or selfishness are at play, invoking this story would be inappropriate.

See also