Monday, July 25, 2016

FROM THE ABAD PLAZA, KOCHI................2

                          ‘DOSA’ MURUGAN 



This tastemaker is popularly known as 'Dosa' Murugan”. 42 yr old Murugan is very popular among the esteemed guests of Abad Group of Hotels headquartered at Kochi.

Born in Erikkanthurai village in Tirunelveli district in Tamil Nadu, 8th pass Murugan landed in Kochi in 1990. He started his career in the hospitality industry as a dish washer. Arya Bhavan, a popular restaurant in South junction was his starting point. Life in those days was not easy for Murugan; however it was a big relief for him since to join Arya Bhavan since many Tamilians were working there.  At Arya Bhavan he acquired the skills in Vegetable Cutting, making ‘Parottas’  and ‘ Chapatis’….and then he gradually demonstrated  his talent in dishing out South Indian delicacies !

He joined Abad after serving Arya Bhavan for five years. Starting from the staff cafeteria this ‘not so tall’ Chef impressed everyone with his hard work. The food that he served to the staff members spoke volumes of his culinary skills. Thereafter he moved to the flagship hotel of the Abad Group - that is Abad Plaza. The main kitchen there gave him a chance to prove his mettle and that’s where he took charge of the South Indian food production wing. He served Abad till 2007. The first innings that lasted 12 years ends here. Thereafter he flew to Muscat, worked in a standalone Indian restaurant there - only to re-join Abad in May 2011.

Today, Murugan is the load bearing pillar of the food production team at the 56 room Abad Atrium located just behind Abad Plaza at M G Road, Kochi. He is popularly known as ‘Dosa Murugan’. For all the outdoor caterings orchestrated by Abad Group the live Dosa Counter will be manned always by Murugan - hence the name  ‘Dosa Murugan’.

A great fan of superstar Rajni Kanth, Murugan is married to Sakunthala and is blessed with a daughter- Bhanupriya, a first year nursing student.

Murugan watches only Rajni movies.

Guess what? Kavita Theatre where Kabali is being screened these days is just next door.
"Sir the hotel is running full these days and hence I did not get time. But it doesn't matter….. I can walk in into Kavita Theatre any time….. I have an excellent relationship with them". This is how he reacted when I asked him why he never made it to the first show on the first day of ‘Kabali’s release.

However at work Murugan doesn’t postpone anything. He close loops everything promptly and proactively - he is very swift in his work….also very good in his work habits. He can speak in Malayalam too.

"I can't speak in English; but whatever the guest says in English I understand" says Murugan with a chuckle. He is innocently honest.

During my recent stay, I had the good fortune of tasting his ‘Ghee Dosas’.

I am grateful to ‘Dosa Murugan’.


Text and Pictures: R Kesava Mallia in Kochi 


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