THE GRAN OF THE GRAM AND HER DECEMBER DELIGHTS

ARUNA MUCHERLA, THE HEROINE OF DIRECTOR BHARATHIRAJ WITH A FILMOGRAPHY OF OVER 70 MOVIES, IS CHALLENGING AGE-OLD STEREOTYPES OF GRANNIES STAYING AT HOME. AT THE AGE OF 58, SHE IS CREATING CONTENT AND SPREADING JOY ON INSTAGRAM. KNOWN AS 'THE GRAN OF THE GRAM,' SHE BOASTS OVER 1.4 MILLION FOLLOWERS ACROSS SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS, THANKS TO HER HOUSEHOLD REMEDIES AND FOOD RECIPES. ARUNA'S DIGITAL CONTENT CREATION APPROACH FOCUSES ON DEMONSTRATING TRADITIONAL RECIPES, COOKING IDEAS, AND AGE-OLD LIFESTYLE METHODS PASSED DOWN BY OUR FOREBEARS. ON INSTAGRAM, SHE SHOWCASES HER PASSION FOR FOOD, HEALTH, AND FITNESS THROUGH REELS, OFTEN FLAUNTING HER VEGETABLE GARDEN AND YOGA REGIME WITH HER 2-YEAR-OLD GRANDDAUGHTER.

- VINITHA VENKATESHA

In addition to sharing unique and easy recipes, Aruna assists her audience by explaining the use of neem sticks to preserve pulses, storing curry leaves in the fridge for an extended period, cooking in a mud pot, and creating a DIY hair conditioner with basic home ingredients. Her dedication to work, while balancing her granny duties, perfectly illustrates that age is just a number. Let's hear more about her insights into this winter season and beyond.

As a prominent food blogger, your recipes have garnered a lot of attention. Can you share what ignited your passion for food, and how it led you to become a food blogger?

When I first got married, I didn't know how to cook. I felt lost and had to start from the basics. Learning a lot from my mother and mother-in-law, I eventually gained confidence in the kitchen. After my daughter got married, I traveled to the States to teach her cooking. It was during this experience that I realized many people struggle with cooking. Motivated to help, I began sharing cooking hacks and recipes, and that's how it all began!

What have been the most rewarding aspects of your journey into food blogging?

The most rewarding aspect of my journey is that people actually try out my recipes and provide feedback and compliments. When I started, I didn't get much traction. Now, I have a lot of followers, and it motivates me to do more.

As we approach December and the colder months, what are some of your favorite comforting winter food recipes?

My comforting winter recipes include Gajar ka Halwa, Beetroot Poriyal, and Sarson ka Saag.