SEMENYIH, Feb. 24 -- Words have power, so I am always excited when I learn a new one. My current favourite is viruunthu which refers to a traditional Tamil feast.

Also spelled as virundhu, this is a gathering characterised by abundance, warmth and shared plates. It is closely linked to virundhombal, the art of welcoming guests with sincerity and care.

This generous ethos shapes the dining experience at Viruunthu Authentic Indian Dining, tucked away in the green vales of Semenyih. We come here for a simple thosai breakfast while others drop by for a thali lunch platter.

From the way customers are greeted to how the owner keeps asking us if we'd like more curry, Viruunthu has become a new favourite eatery of ours, the way its name has be...