Absurd or innovative? Picture of idli on stick leaves Twitter divided; Anand Mahindra, Shashi Tharoor join the debate

They say there's no limit to imagination, and imagination and innovation go hand-in-hand. When it comes to cuisine, most famous and delicious dishes are a result of innovation. However, there's also a thin line between imagination and madness. Looking at some of the recent fusion dishes that found its way on the internet, it's fair to say that it's better to leave a few traditional dishes the way they are.

While the Internet is quick to form a black or white opinion on things, a picture of idli on a stick as gone viral on Twitter, which has left netizens speechless and not quite sure how to feel about this new twist to idli. The viral picture is an update to ordinary (yet delicious) idli made by a restaurant in Bengaluru who is serving it on a stick like ice-cream along with sambhar and coconut chutney.

Twitter is divided whether to call the innovation a genius take or find it absurd. "Idli on stick. What next upma and poha in ice-cream cones?" A Twitter user asked as she joined the debate over idli on stick.



The picture has also grabbed attention of politicians and businessman such as Anand Mahindra and Shashi Tharoor.

The Mahindra and Mahindra boss called Bengaluru India's innovation capital and asked who is in favour of this new idea and who is against it.

"Bengaluru, India’s innovation capital can’t stop its creativity from manifesting itself in the most unexpected areas… Idli on a stick—sambhar & chutney as dips…Those in favour, those against??"


Congress leader Tharoor called it 'absurd but practical'.


IAS officer Rajeshwari B called it 'ice-cream in sambhar'.


Some also found it useless to be using sticks for idli when there are people fighting to save trees around the world.

"People from other side are trying to save the trees and finding alternatives, here these guys are wasting those sticks unnecessarily in the name of creativity!" a Twitter user replied.