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Shashi Tharoor’s Poetic Defence of Idli Goes Viral on X

The Congress MP recast a casual food gripe into a cultural ode through references to Beethoven, Tagore, Husain, plus Tendulkar.

Overview

  • Tharoor replied on X after a user called idli "steamed regret," turning the exchange into a celebration of the South Indian staple.
  • He described a "truly great idli" as delicate and ethereal, a morsel that melts on the tongue when prepared well.
  • His post likened the dish to a Beethoven symphony, a Tagore sangeet, an M.F. Husain painting, and a Sachin Tendulkar century.
  • The response drew widespread attention online, with readers highlighting its mix of humor and cultural pride.
  • Alongside the reply, he shared an AI-generated image of himself making idlis, following a recent viral post featuring his younger self.