Pooja Pillai
Pooja Pillai is a Special Correspondent working with The Indian Express.
Articles By Pooja Pillai
UK-based authors on how they collected recipes from the women in Delhi’s slums for their new cookbook
The UK-based authors met the subjects of their book through the volunteer work they do with Asha, an NGO working with an aim to empower and uplift the Capital’s slum communities.
To the Manor reborn
The Delhi hotel that once housed India’s most famous restaurant reopens with a new look and a new restaurant
Unity in Delicacies
The Aajeevika India Food Court brings popular as well as little-known dishes from across India.
Southern comfort
Some hitches apart, Savya Rasa makes a laudable attempt at displaying diversity in south Indian food
Such a Long Journey
A book by the Indian ambassador in the Netherlands highlights the historical and current exchanges that define the relationship between the two countries
An artist on finding the father of the nation moulded to suit many faces and philosophies
There are a couple of questions that I wished to explore when I began photographing Gandhi’s statues. One is how much of the images of Gandhi in the public space do we accept as Gandhi?
Raspberry Sodas, a Rooster and other stories
Remembering Boman Kohinoor, owner of Mumbai’s iconic Britannia & Co, who passed away on Wednesday
A restaurant suspended from a crane, 160 feet above the ground, provides a thrilling experience with not so exciting food
The experience doesn’t come cheap. Currently, the price per seat is Rs 2499 from Monday to Thursday, while on the weekends, it rises to Rs 3000
Finger-lickin’ good: The story of chutney in India
In most meals, the chutney is on the margins of the plate as an accompaniment. But, in its variety of ingredients and burst of flavours, it remains the common taste that binds our multicultural eating practices together.
Explained: Reading Leo Tolstoy’s ‘War and Peace’ in our times
At a time when political "strong men" in several countries are seen as larger-than-life heroes (or villains), and are extolled (or denounced) for having single-handedly brought about sweeping change in their countries, Tolstoy's ideas about historical determinism are especially relevant.
Looking the part
Costume designer and stylist Indrakshi Pattanaik Malik on what went into the National Award-winning costume design for the Telugu-Tamil biopic Mahanati
How Keerthy Suresh almost said no to playing Savitri Ganesan in Mahanati
Keerthy Suresh was one of the many who doubted that she could pull off the role of Savitri Ganesan in Mahanati. The actor on a role which surprised her, and has just won her a National Award.
Older, Wiser and a Tiny Bit Nicer
If Sex and the City (1997) took a caustic, unsentimental approach to the dating scene of a certain class of white people in Manhattan, this follow-up is mellower.
From my pantry
The cheese that we make at Begum Victoria is inspired by Europe, but like with wine, the terroir plays a role in how the product finally tastes, says the chef.
Lunch at your leisure
At Tenali, one can enjoy a good and unhurried meal of Andhra specialities
In a new location and with a revamped menu, Diva Spiced mostly delivers on its promise of Asian food with a twist
It is the little things like this that made our lunch at the Diva Spiced interesting. The restaurant, which used to be located in Meherchand Market, opened this week at a new location in Greater Kailash 1’s N Block Market.
Seven chefs, all alumni of the award-winning restaurant Noma, come together for a collaboration in Gurgaon
Vanshika Bhatia and Nitin Tewari are playing host to the second round of this collaboration — christened Chefs World Tour — at Together at 12th.
Fates and furies
Anger is a powerful emotion, but it seems a little reductive that a show of female power should occur mainly within this paradigm of violence and retribution.
Why poha, the light and tasty breakfast staple, remains a classic
This breakfast dish has recently been in the news, thanks to an application made by the Indori Mithai Aur Namkeen Nirmata-Vikreta Vyapari Sangh to grant a Geographical Indication (GI) tag to the Indori Poha. “
The enduring appeal of artist Jitish Kallat’s lunar rotis
Jitish Kallat's interests lie in celestial cycles, circadian rhythms and the mysterious orbital geometry of the moon, earth and sun.