Sir,

The recent re-publication of the article on T.S. Satyan by Vikram Muthanna titled “A Gentleman from Mysore” (which was first published in ‘Star of Mysore’ dated Dec.19, 2009) was an excellent piece and made me nostalgic. Satyan was an excellent photo-journalist.

Besides, I remember an incident connected to his ingenuity. It seems he invited a friend to share masala dosa at his home.

When he told his wife to prepare masala dosa at a short notice, she told him that only dosa batter was there but no aloo-onion palya.

Satyan told her: “You prepare dosa and I will prepare palya.” She thought Satyan would make a mess in the kitchen.

But Satyan assured that no such thing will happen. Then Satyan went out where there was a roadside aloo-bonda maker ajji near his home.

He bought a few bondas, removed the outer coating and added the palya in between the dosas.

Lo! After tasting, the friend told Satyan and his wife: “Your masala dosa is better than Indra Bhavan dosa!”

– Dr. M.K. Bhashyam (Retd. Assistant Director, CFTRI, Mysuru), Bengaluru, 17.9.2023

NOTE: On the occasion of the birth centenary year of T.S. Satyan, Museum of Art & Photography (MAP) has organised a photo exhibition titled ‘With Great Ease: The Photography of T.S. Satyan’  at its premises, No. 22, Kasturba Road, Shanthala Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru. The expo, which was inaugurated on Aug. 12 at MAP in Bengaluru, will be open for visitors till Nov. 20, 2023.—Ed

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