Meet Lakshmi
A Journey of Food, Faith, & Home.....
Hello and welcome,
Thank you for taking a few moments to visit my page. I truly hope you find it
interesting and that it connects with you in some way.
I am Lakshmi (Dhanalakshmi Janardhanan), a senior citizen living with my
husband in Alappuzha (Alleppey), Kerala, India. Over the years, life has taught me
one deep truth — no matter how much we plan, life unfolds in ways that are
written for us from the moment we are born.
On 14th April 2022, my family faced the most painful tragedy of our lives. I lost
my beloved daughter at the age of just 30. That day changed everything for me. My
world fell silent, and my heart felt empty. It was only through the love and care of
my husband, close relatives, and dear wellwishers that I found the strength to move
forward. For me, their support is nothing less than God’s greatest blessing.
One such wellwisher, more like a sister to me, is Smt. Usha Venkatesh—Founder
and Chairperson of Brightland Discovery School in Alappuzha, where my daughter
began her schooling in 1996. One day, she called and encouraged me to start
sharing my cooking recipes on YouTube, being an ardent fan of them herself. Her
faith in me was the spark I needed, and thus my channel Handprints@2025 was
born.
When I got married in 1984, my cooking knowledge was almost zero! But my
mother-in-law, a wonderful cook, introduced me to the authentic flavors of Kerala
and Tamil Nadu cuisine. Slowly, I began to learn, experiment, and find joy in
cooking — for my family, my guests, and myself. Even now, at 60, I continue to
learn and refine my culinary skills. Cooking, to me, is an endless ocean — much
like our Indian music, rich and soulful. By God’s grace, our herbs and spices truly
hold magic in every curry we make.
Recently, Usha once again inspired me — this time to start a home dining
experience offering authentic Kerala food to those visiting Alappuzha. As many of
you know, Alappuzha is blessed with backwaters, beaches, houseboats, lush paddy
fields, and the famous Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race. It is indeed the “Venice of
the East.”
So, with a full heart, I welcome you to “Dine @ Home” — a warm and homely
dining experience filled with love, tradition, and the essence of Kerala. When you
visit Alappuzha, I would be truly delighted to host you and share a meal prepared
with care and affection.
With love,
Lakshmi
