A valley of sunshine through the protesting leaves of a thousand sleeping coconut trees, casting designs of a quiet rebellion on brick floored courtyards. In a clay pot on a wood fire, mustard seeds crackle to wake up the village. The onions always go next, creating a cosmic sizzle.

​The sights and sounds of South Indian cooking are deserving of a riveting Epic. At Kumar’s, you can pick up a hardbound copy. No embellishments, fiercely authentic.