CM Panir Selvam & Kalavathy in Bangsar
We all know the drill. When both needles on the clock inch towards 12 on a workday, one thought fills our heads and echoes down aisles of workdesks: “Eh, you eat what for lunch today?”.
For those who work in and around Menara Mutiara Bangsar, you might have crossed paths with a humble stall serving Indian food at affordable prices. That’s CM Panir Selvam & Kalavathy, a stall in the building that’s run by a loving and loyal couple.
Ten different home-style dishes served daily
Married in 1984, Panir Selvam and his wife, Kalavathy, have been running their Indian food stall for over a decade inside Menara Mutiara Bangsar, opening as early as 7am for early-risers.
Every dish here is prepared home-style and portioned generously, with prices for a meal starting from an affordable RM4 for a mound of rice and a side. Find trays of over 10 different dishes served daily here, such as mutton varuval and chicken curry.
While small in appearance, the elderly pair serves over 100 hungry patrons daily. Though food preparation can be tedious, Kalavathy cheekily shared with TheSmartLocal Malaysia that, “Although sometimes my husband bullies me, I am more than happy to help him with this food stall. I know that it is his small act of love”.
Uncle Selvam added to us, saying, “As a man, you must know how to cook, because it is a living skill to prepare your own food. There is no such thing as women only have to do it. As a family, you have to do both”.
Beyond cooking and running an eatery together, there is a deeper story of dedication and partnership behind the stall that has stood the test of time.
An arranged marriage that blossomed through food
Panir Selvam was born and raised in Pudu, while Kalavathy grew up in Cochrane. As was common back then, their marriage was arranged.
“I have not met her family, but they were eyeing me”, Uncle Selvam shared.
Through their internal circle, both families met, and a mutual agreement was made. However, Uncle Selvam recalls that during their matchmaking process, they had to first check with a Hindu astrologer to ensure their compatibility. When asked why this was important to them, he said that without it, a relationship is like “a cat and a dog”. That is, one barks and the other one purrs.
While the couple are in an arranged marriage, the chemistry is undeniable. They both share the same passion for cooking, something that ties them together.
The idea of starting an eatery began when Uncle Selvam was retrenched from a former chef position at an Indian restaurant. He later chanced upon a vacant stall and decided to start his own business. Over time, his business grew, and people who worked in the vicinity of the stall became regular diners, often dropping by for lunch or breakfast.
Today, running the food stall is more than just a livelihood for him and his wife. Rather, it is a way to give back to the community. “I make it a point to give one to two people free food every day,” shared Uncle Selvam.
He added that there are a lot of people with no money to eat. Some patrons said they will come and pay back later, but he refuses to accept because, according to him, “I am rich with food”.
Looking at the dynamic duo working together, we asked how they build their understanding with each other. Uncle Selvam responded, “Yesterday, I wanted to eat roti canai. My wife suddenly came and said to me, ‘We will go and buy roti canai for dinner’”.
A home-cooked fare at CM Panir Selvam & Kalavathy
From an arranged marriage to running an eatery together, the story of Panir Selvam and Kalavathy reflects understanding and daily acts of care.
If you’re looking to support their business, you can locate them at the address below.
Cover image adapted from: TheSmartLocal Malaysia
Photography by Yusintha Kumar.
Some quotes have been edited for brevity and clarity.