No Filter: A trip down memory lane with Alvin Kallicharran

One gentlemen in particular was remembering play by play what had happened when the ‘Windies’ had played against the Indian team in Chennai in the 70s, right down to the umpire’s decisions that many called questionable back then. He wowed the audience, and Kallicharran regaled us all with his wit and tales of the good old days.

We heard first hand accounts of his encounters with Dennis Lilie in the 1975 World Cup and many more stories. What really stood out for me were tales from his childhood of humble beginnings and his love for cricket. From playing under the hot sun for hours with cricket bats roughly hewed out of a tree trunk and a ball made of the same wood, to the injuries that came with not catching that ball, he told us that those were the best fielding practice sessions he got. He grew up on one meal a day, and not even that on some days, but what kept him going was his passion for the game, which is evident even now when he interacts with children. Kallicharran was in the city promoting his upcoming book Colour Blind, a concept we can all do with more of. My interaction with him has left a lasting impression on me and if I had to write a book about him, it would be called A Lesson on Humility and Hunger.

This royal couple is namma ooru’s own Harry and Meghan
The world is obsessed with royalty and follows their every move. News outlets and online websites thrive off clicks that they get from people yearning for more information about them.


In fact, over 50 per cent of Indians said in a survey conducted last year that they were interested in the English Royal Wedding. But what I wanted to tell all of you is that we have a royal family residing in our midst, within a beautiful palace. Amir Mahal, the ancestral home of the Prince of Arcot, is in Royapettah and it’s a sight to behold. We even have our very own Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in the Nawabzada Mohammed Asif Ali and his wife Begum Seema. One cannot find nicer hosts in the city and it is amazing how the kitchens of the palace still stay true to centuries old, authentic family recipes, which are closely guarded secrets and a delight to the taste buds.

From hosting heads of state and religious leaders to supporting cultural initiatives and multiple charities, their contribution to the city and the fabric of Chennai is undeniable. The Nawabzada can match your wit on conversations about pretty much everything under the sun and he has found his match in the smart, witty Begum Seema. She is a bonafide style icon and if I can convince her to join Instagram, you can all see what I’m talking about. I think we can all agree that the Nawabzada and the Begum have hearts as beautiful as the Mahal they reside in.

Asif is also an accomplished musician and I got a sneak peek at a music video that he plans to release soon — trust me it’s worth the wait and remember you heard about it here first! At a recent event in Amir Mahal, the Nawab heaped words of praise on his son and it was beautiful to witness a father take pride in his son’s achievement and vocalise it publicly (let’s hope my parents read this and take the hint!).