The Influencer’s Dosa Walk

Dosa to the Rescue from Holiday Blues

As the Christmas and New Year holidays rolled in, Bangalore’s tech professionals found themselves in the familiar rhythm of annual company shutdowns, where travel was the first preference for many. However, for those unable to escape the city due to the recent Indigo debacle, the next best option was to seek out unique activities to combat the boredom and holiday blues brought on by scrolling through endless reels of friends basking in sunny getaways on Instagram. It was during this holiday season that a chosen few stumbled upon a unique “Dosa Walk” activity on Instagram. Jay Madappa, a popular food blogger with thousands of followers, had curated this unique event and was promoting it heavily through his IG handle. The number of advertisements was dished out by Jay as quickly and crisply as a Dosa chef.  Jay was handsome and had the appeal of a metrosexual male, making him an IG favorite food blogger. The agenda was simple: A walk (not literally) to get the mouth-watering dosas from the most iconic places in Namma Bengaluru, making it the perfect antidote to the holiday blues.

A Scrumptious Mix of Personalities

Arnab is a 16-year-old high school student from a wealthy family in Bangalore. He has a genuine love for food, quite evident with his puppy paunch. With Jay Madappa as his idol, he has never missed an episode of Jay’s food vlog and dreams of becoming a food blogger himself one day.  He constantly tries to impress the people around him with food jargon he barely understands, which provides comic relief for his audience. For example, he blurts out things like “This dosa has a robust umami profile!” By usual standards, that's odd!”  This event was his ticket to meet his favorite YouTuber, Jay.

Married for four years, Arjun and Ananya are a DINK couple in their late 30s whose relationship thrived on adventure holidays and thrilling activities during the first two years. However, as time passed, their relationship began to grow a bit stale, and it felt somewhat boring of late. Long holidays only added to the brewing displeasure in each other’s company. That’s when Ananya spotted Jay Madappa' s Dosa Walk on IG. Both shared a passion for piping-hot, crispy darshini dosas, and without a second's delay, Ananya signed up for the event. She wanted to surprise Arjun, hoping that the age-old saying, “The journey to a man’s heart is through his stomach,” would ring true and help rekindle the spark in their relationship.

Nisha is a vibrant woman in her 50s who is often mistaken for being in her 40s. After spending most of her life in the USA with a seemingly happy family, her world was turned upside down when she discovered her husband had been secretly dating her best friend for five years. Left with no choice, she divorced him and returned to her native Namma Bengaluru, eager to find harmonious companionship and some relief from her heartbreak. However, her attempts at dating have been filled with disappointment, as online platforms are riddled with creeps, leading her to question the sanity of the dating world. Spending hours aimlessly scrolling through Instagram occupied most of her day, until she stumbled upon the advertisement for the Dosa Walk. She lit up like a tube light at the thought of meeting the right guy in such a setting, convinced that a man who signs up to eat dosas cannot possibly be a “friends with benefits” type. Though she was mindful of the calories in dosas, Nisha couldn’t help but feel excited about the prospect of connecting with people who share her love for dosa while secretly hoping for a dash of romance.

Mr. and Mrs. Nair are an endearing elderly couple who spend six months in Kerala and six months in Bangalore, where their son, Vikram, holds a high-ranking position at a tech company. Mr. Nair, a retired engineer, is skeptical about trying new foods, particularly dosas, as he firmly believes his wife makes the best dosa. Meanwhile, Mrs. Nair, a retired schoolteacher, is a warm, innocent lady who loves to try new experiences. When they are in Bangalore, Vikram is under pressure to keep them engaged, so he signs them up for the Dosa Walk after a colleague suggests it. Though Mr. Nair is skeptical, he reluctantly agrees to support his son.

The Chawla's are a quintessential loud Punjabi couple currently enjoying a short stay in a service apartment in Bangalore. Rajesh is always on the lookout for ways to make some quick bucks and approaches every situation with a business mindset. Pooja, on the other hand, doesn’t particularly have a mind of her own and often goes along with Rajesh’s ideas. The only thing that truly excites her is the kitty parties back home, where ladies show off their latest brand acquisitions. In Bangalore, they spend most of their time cooking parathas at home for all three meals, enjoying them with ghee, and occasionally stepping out to relish the economical idlis and dosas. While searching for interesting events to attend during their stay, they stumble upon the Dosa Walk and sign up immediately. Rajesh sees this as a novel business idea and wants to replicate it in Gurugram as a “Paratha Walk.” He dreams of the profits from such an event, and his excitement is palpable.

Jay Madappa sat staring anxiously at his laptop as the registration cutoff date for the Dosa Walk had just passed. He was surprised to see only five enrollments. Though disappointed, he decided to go ahead with the plan; cancelling would mean his social image taking a beating. He had overestimated his capacity to woo people on Instagram. He pulled up the entrants' list to see his first batch. A thought crossed his mind: a varied crowd with nothing in common. Based on this, he drew up the day's itinerary. The weather forecast seemed conducive for the walk, with just the right amount of sunshine to make the crispy dosas look even more delectable.

Mapping the Dosa Walk

Three days before the Dosa Walk, Jay Madappa created a WhatsApp group for the participants. With a mischievous grin, he named the group “Dosa Divas and Dudes”, thinking it would set a fun tone for the day. “Let’s get this party started!” he typed, quickly adding all five participants to the group. Once everyone was in, he sent a warm welcome message: “Hello, Dosa Divas and Dudes! 🎉 Welcome to the Maiden Dosa Walk! Get ready for a delicious adventure with crispy Dosas and happy burps!😄”

Assembly at 3:30 PM at the northern hemisphere of Bangalore, starting at the best dosa point in Malleshwaram, CTR. Next, we’ll move to Umesh Dosa Point in Seshadripuram, followed by a visit to the iconic Vidyarthi Bhavan in Gandhi Bazar, and wrap up at Dwaraka Hotel in NR Colony. We’ll conclude the walk with either a strong filter coffee or a refreshing masala soda at VV Puram, depending on how your stomach reacts after all the dosas! Just remember, stomach reactions can range from a happy burp to an unexpected chemical reaction that might clear the room, so prepare your tummy for it! 😉Let’s make some delicious memories! 🍽️❤️”.

The First Impressions

As participants received the Dosa Walk itinerary, each took a moment to check out the other members of the group. Their minds buzzed with judgments and assumptions based on the profile pictures.

Arnab scrolled through the images, his excitement dwindling slightly as he noted that no one seemed particularly interesting—except for Jay, of course, whose profile picture radiated charisma. “I guess it’s just me and the food,” he thought, while secretly hoping for a chance to impress the older participants with his food knowledge.

Ananya, on the other hand, didn’t care much about the other participants. She was more focused on her relationship with Arjun and how this Dosa Walk might help bridge the gap that had formed between them. “If dosas can’t fix this, what can?” she mused, determined to make the most of the experience.

Nisha felt a twinge of disappointment as she scanned the group. “No single guys?” she thought, noticing that most profile pictures featured couples. However, she quickly shifted to optimism, thinking, Maybe there’ll be a handsome hunk helping Jay with the walk. With that thought, she reassured herself that every adventure had the potential for surprises.

Mr. and Mrs. Nair didn’t bother checking out the other participants. They were simply excited about the culinary experience ahead and trusted that Vikram had made a good choice for them. After all, it was about the dosas!

Rajesh, being the astute businessman he was, studied the profiles for potential business partners. “Let’s see if anyone here has the right vibe for a ‘Paratha Walk’ in Gurugram,” he thought, already envisioning a network of culinary entrepreneurs.

Walk for Dosa: Not Enough Steps for All Those Dosa Calories

Finally, the D-day. All assembled at the meeting point, dressed in their best ensembles, and each with their own agenda. Arnab was eager to show off his knowledge, Ananya sought to reconnect with Arjun, Nisha was on the lookout for unexpected connections, and Rajesh had currency on his mind.

As they arrived, Jay greeted them with his usual enthusiasm. The atmosphere was a mix of excitement and the smell of Dosa.

Jay Madappa had arrived early at the starting point, CTR, where the Dosa's were crispy like none other in town. Along with him were his hippy videographer, Meera, and Ravi, an intern assisting Jay with small jobs. They donned their event caps and T-shirts. Each participant was handed a cap for the event to wear until the end, a clever way for Jay to garner publicity for his maiden walk.

Arnab arrived first, bouncing on his feet with impatience to meet his icon, Jay. He had barely slept due to excitement. It was quite an unlikely obsession for a kid his age. To impress Jay, he had carried a dosa-shaped mobile cover created explicitly for this event. He had even gotten a neat haircut and trimmed his not-so-obvious stubble, which surprised his parents; his mother had jokingly asked if he had started dating anyone. And he also got a t-shirt with the Dosa walk itinerary printed on it. Arnab looked every bit the excited fan. Jay was lucky to have such a dedicated follower, someone who would spend 2500 bucks on an event with a 250-rupee entry fee, with the dosa bill on them. Arnab was a bundle of nervous energy, his heart racing as he approached Jay. He extended his hand, and as they shook hands, he could almost sense a shiver in his arm, a mix of thrill and disbelief.

Arnab launched into a discussion about episode after episode of Jay's blogs, recounting his favorite moments with fervor. Initially, Jay was very enthusiastic to listen, genuinely enjoying his young fan's admiration. However, as the minutes ticked by, he found himself hoping that the next guest would arrive quickly so that this kid could give his mouth a break.

Mr. and Mrs. Nair were always very punctual with their appointments, and true to that, they arrived on time in their son Vikram’s chauffeur-driven car. As they stepped out, Jay greeted them with a warm smile and exchanged pleasantries. “Welcome to the Dosa Walk! I’m thrilled to have you both here,” he said, guiding them to their seats.

As they settled in, Mr. and Mrs. Nair exchanged curious glances, taking in their surroundings. They could barely fathom how this humble eatery had earned such acclaim. It looked almost like a neighborhood India Coffee House outlet in Thiruvananthapuram, with its simple decor and bustling atmosphere. Their expressions were a mixture of skepticism and intrigue as they waited for the dosa to arrive at their table.

Almost simultaneously, Nisha and the Ananya-Arjun couple arrived. Nisha wore a breezy dress paired with oversized sunglasses, which served a dual purpose: shielding her eyes from the sun and discreetly scanning the crowd for eligible bachelors. As she walked in, she exuded an air of confidence, glancing around to see who might catch her interest.

Jay greeted the lovely lady warmly, “Welcome, Nisha! So glad you could join us for the Dosa Walk!” He showed her to her seat, noting that she was slightly overdressed for a casual food event, looking more like she was attending a kitty party than a dosa walk. With a warm smile, Nisha acknowledged the others present, her eyes never straying far from the task of spotting a potential hunk.

Following closely behind her were Ananya and Arjun. Ananya appeared bubbly and excited, her enthusiasm infectious as she exchanged pleasantries with everyone. In contrast, Arjun looked as if he were forcing himself to engage in small talk, his mind clearly elsewhere. “Why are we doing this again?” he seemed to ponder, glancing at the menu as if it held the answers to his questions. Ananya, however, was confident that as the dosas traveled through Arjun’s gut, her mission to reconnect with him would be accomplished. “Just a few bites and we’ll be back to our old selves,” she thought, hoping that the delicious dosa magic would work.

As they settled in, the air was filled with anticipation and the irresistible aroma of dosas sizzling in the kitchen.

As time ticked by, Jay glanced at his watch, noting that the other couple who had signed up for the Dosa Walk were yet to arrive. Slightly concerned, he tried calling Rajesh to find out why they were late. Rajesh saw the missed calls but chose not to answer; he didn’t want to deal with the uncomfortable question of, "Where are you guys? We’re waiting!"

After confirming with Google Maps that they would arrive in 20 minutes, Rajesh reluctantly called Jay, in his best apologetic tone. “Hey, Jay! So sorry for the delay! We’ll be there in about 10 minutes!” he said. Jay felt a twinge of annoyance but reminded himself that this was part of the deal when organizing an event like this. It was all about bringing people from different walks of life together.

After what felt like an eternity, the Chawla's finally arrived. They burst into the eatery, dressed in bright, loud colors that turned heads. Rajesh, for some inexplicable reason, sported a Gucci belt snugly below his paunch, and he held his breath now and then to ensure the logo was prominently displayed. For the rest of the South Indian crowd, his fashion choice seemed borderline ugly.

“Welcome, Chawla's!” Jay greeted them, trying to mask his annoyance with a smile. Rajesh beamed back, oblivious to the whispers swirling around them. “Sorry about the delay! You won’t believe the traffic,” Rajesh said, while Pooja nodded obediently like a cow.

Bon Dosa-petit

“Alright, everyone, Bon Appétit!”  “Today, we’re going to explore some of the best dosas in Bangalore, and I promise it’ll be a fun experience!” Jay announced.

The retro-dressed waiter arrived to take the orders from the dosa walk members' table. As it was the first dosa of the day, everyone eagerly ordered a butter masala dosa, miscalculating the stomach space they would need for the rest of the walk.

As the plates arrived, the aroma of the dosas filled the air. The group dug in, savoring the buttery goodness and spicy filling. “This is amazing!” Priya exclaimed, her eyes lighting up.

“Just wait until we hit the next place,” Jay said with a grin. “Each dosa has its own story.”

Everyone was focused on their dosa, with Jay trying to interject with a few dosa facts now and then.

With their plates nearly empty but spirits high, the first dosa had just rolled down everyone's gut.

The next stop was Umesh Dosa Point in Seshadripuram, not too far away from CTR. They drove in a convoy, finding parking in and around the eatery before assembling again at the entrance. The ladies in the group exchanged some small talk while Rajesh scanned the plates of other diners, eyeing the ghee pudi dosa, which seemed to be the most sought-after dish.

When it was time to order, the Nair's opted for just one dosa, as the CTR dosas had barely made their way to their stomachs. Ananya enthusiastically ordered Arjun's favorite onion dosa, and he felt good that she still remembered his likes and dislikes. In turn, he ordered her favorite plain dosa.

The video team struggled to squeeze between the crowded tables to find the right spot for their cameras to capture the moment. Finally, piping-hot dosas arrived, and everyone dug in, savoring the tasty ones topped generously with special pudi. Rajesh was so content with his dosa that he couldn’t help but inquire about a franchise opportunity in Gurugram.

Meanwhile, the Nairs, with their delicate stomachs, found it challenging to finish the ghee-loaded dosa. Arjun and Ananya shared warm smiles; the hot dosas seemed to have rekindled the spark in their relationship.

Nisha and Arnab felt like odd cookies in the group. They decided to travel together to Vidyarthi Bhavan, and Arnab sensed that Jay didn’t seem as warm and friendly in person as he did in his vlogs. He realized there was a difference between the screen persona and the real Jay. Nisha thoroughly enjoyed the dosa but found it hard to relate to or talk to anyone else in the group.

As everyone began their journey toward South Bangalore, the usual traffic was a pain. However, after a good 45 minutes, they finally reached Vidyarthi Bhavan. Today, the traffic seemed almost helpful, giving everyone’s stomachs a breather after the two heavy dosas.

Once they arrived, everyone assembled at the entrance of the iconic eatery, which hadn’t changed much since its inception. It exuded old-world charm, with its classic interiors and waiters dressed in traditional attire, all geared to give customers a journey through memory lane. For many, Vidyarthi Bhavan was a favorite childhood memory, and the excitement in the air was palpable as they prepared to step inside.

It was time to order a piece of Bangalore's history, and many opted for the popular masala dosas. Surprisingly, Nisha chose the saagu masala dosa, and the drive from Seshadripuram to Basavanagudi had narrowed the unfamiliarity between her and Arnab, who decided to copy her choice. The rest of the group stuck to masala dosas, but the Nair's, unable to eat any more, opted for just filter coffee.

Rajesh, Pooja, Ananya, and Arjun all unanimously agreed that the green chutney served was the best they had tasted so far. As the dosas were finished, most of them let out a satisfied burp. Jay loved this sound of satisfaction.

Sensing the group’s full bellies, Jay thought it would be a good idea to give them a little gap before moving on to grab their next dosa at Dwaraka. He quickly came up with an impromptu plan to walk around the flower market in Gandhi Bazaar, suggesting it would be a great way to digest their meal and experience a bit of local culture. The group agreed, excited for the unexpected detour. Surprises are always fun.

The vivid colors of the market’s flowers lifted the mood of all the participants and took their minds off the dosas for a while. It was color therapy at its best, with flowers interspersed among puja materials. Mrs. Nair was the happiest among the group, picking up sundry puja articles excitedly like a small kid. Mr. Nair smiled at her enthusiasm and obediently followed her around, paying for all her purchases.

Nisha picked up a string of jasmine and wore it like a Hawaiian accessory with her modern clothes. Pooja was frankly aghast, thinking it was a grave fashion blunder. Meanwhile, Rajesh and Arnab felt a bit bored with the unexpected detour. Pooja struggled to walk on the broken footpath in her pointed heels, while Ananya and Arjun seemed to enjoy the simple joy of the activity. They admired the flowers and chatted about their favorites, appreciating the vibrant atmosphere.

Jay and his team did their best to make the flower market enjoyable for everyone, sharing fun facts about the different flowers and their significance in local culture. The group slowly began to warm up to the experience, finding charm in the lively market and the colorful sights around them.

It was time to head to the last stop of the Dosa Walk. Dwaraka was only a short distance from Basavanagudi, and everyone was given a Google Maps link to a parking lot near the hotel. Once they arrived, the group assembled in front of the bustling hotel, the area filled with people and traffic. The hotel's facade looked straight out of the 1980s.

The set dosa here was said to be the best, served with coconut chutney and alu palya. Known for being fluffy and spongy, it is served with a dollop of white butter. The walk had helped push the earlier dosas down, and they were all ready for more.

The Nair's, Nisha, and Arnab decided to share one plate, while the couples each ordered their own. Jay and his team placed their orders as well. As they waited, Arjun spotted fresh benne muruku neatly stacked in a tray, kept in a glass enclosure like in the olden days. He couldn't resist and ordered a plate for everyone, displaying his generosity.

When the dosa's arrived, they were light on the stomach, and everyone managed to eat without any issues. The fluffy dosa's paired perfectly with the coconut chutney, and the group enjoyed the last stop of their Dosa Walk, savoring every bite and relishing the experience together.

Full Belly Farewell

With dosas eaten and bills paid, everyone strolled out of the hotel and decided to say their goodbyes at the iconic Katte Balaga across the street. Jay was eager to get honest feedback from everyone. He had almost compiled a CBI-like list of questions to gauge each participant's feelings so that he could tweak his future walks accordingly.

The videographer was busy capturing sound bites from all the participants, asking for their thoughts on the experience. Meanwhile, the intern looked like a lost chicken, alternating between standing next to Jay and following the videographer.

“Alright, everyone, I’d love to hear your thoughts!” Jay called out, his enthusiasm infectious. The group gathered around, ready to share their experiences. Some praised the dosa's, while others suggested improvements. Nisha spoke up about the flower market, saying it added a nice touch to the day.

As they shared their feedback, Jay took notes, nodding along and occasionally responding with excitement or gratitude. The intern finally found his footing, stepping in to assist with the videographer, helping to capture the essence of the event and the participants’ reactions.

The atmosphere was lively, filled with laughter and camaraderie, a perfect ending to their delicious Dosa Walk adventure.

Ananya felt a sense of achievement; she was so happy she signed up for this event. Arjun was secretly thankful to Ananya for organizing the Dosa Walk, as it had almost saved their marriage. The shared experience and laughter had rekindled their bond.

Nisha enjoyed the evening out with new people, admiring the connection between the older couples. She hoped to find her own man and age gracefully like them. Arnab, on the other hand, felt slightly confused. He thought to himself, “I could have followed another popular food blogger who would actually appreciate his fans.”

The Nair's were tired but content, pondering how to describe the event to their son. They exchanged smiles, grateful for the experience. Meanwhile, Rajesh's mind was bubbling with ideas about starting a food business in Gurugram. He envisioned profit figures dancing in his mind, dreaming of a “Paratha Walk” that could rival Jay's Dosa Walk.

As they prepared to part ways, each participant carried with them not just memories of delicious Dosa's but also reflections on their own lives and relationships, making the Dosa Walk a truly memorable experience.

Jay and his team profusely thanked each participant for joining the Dosa Walk and handed out discount vouchers for the next planned event. The atmosphere was filled with smiles and chatter as everyone expressed their appreciation for the experience.

However, the Nair's clearly did not want to take advantage of the offer. Mrs. Nair slid the voucher into a small pocket in her carry bag, sharing a knowing glance with Mr. Nair. They were content with their day and felt that this would be their last culinary adventure for a while.

Savoring Success

As the group dispersed, promising to connect soon and stay in touch, Jay felt a deep sense of fulfillment after completing his maiden dosa walk. His mind was already racing with ideas for curating the next event. He instructed his team to quickly edit and share all the footage they had captured so he could weave it into an interesting story for his social media handles.

He remembered the time when everyone in his family questioned why anyone would want to see Jay review eateries and follow his suggestions. They thought it was some obscure profession he had chosen and were sure he would turn out to be a failure in life. That skepticism fueled him, pushing him to create better content and strive to become the number one food blogger in South India.

With every successful event, he felt more validated and motivated. Jay envisioned not just his next dosa walk, but also expanding his brand and reaching even more food enthusiasts. The journey had just begun, and he was determined to show everyone that his passion for food could lead to something truly remarkable.

His first Dosa Walk had not only fulfilled his vision but had also brought happiness to others. With newfound inspiration, he looked forward to the next adventure, knowing that food had the incredible power to connect people and create lasting memories—even if it meant occasionally navigating the quirky world of guided dosa tours.