Emerging from a lineage of culinary experts, the youthful Nataraja Iyer commenced his journey as
a modest server at the esteemed Modern Hotel in Trichy, Tamil Nadu, India. Subsequently, he
ventured to Madras in 1952 to serve at the MIT Hostel in Chromepet, followed by a tenure as a
Chef at the renowned Geetha Cafe in Chennai. In 1956, Chef Nataraja Iyer transitioned into
Caterer Nataraja Iyer, courtesy of a generous proposal from Shri MN Sambamoorthy Iyer. Whether
it was the prestigious title of "Arasuvai Arasu" (signifying the Emperor of Six Tastes) bestowed
upon him by Former President of India Bharat Ratna Shri. VV Giri, his role as the caterer at
Rashtrapati Bhavan for President R Venkataraman, or the delight of serving over a million meals
at 100,000+ events throughout a career spanning 75+ years, the unassuming Arasuvai Arasu
Nataraja Iyer had witnessed it all.
From having cooked in the era of soot-laden kitchens where chefs fanned flames in wood-fired
ovens to the contemporary Michelin-Stared Technology Powered Kitchens, Arasuvai Arasu Caterers
have maintained their premier status for decades in orchestrating events for every celebration -
whether it be opulent Luxury & Corporate Events, Grand Galas and destination weddings,
Upanayanam, Sashtiapthapoorthi, Sathabhishekam, Engagement, and more. Until his demise at the
age of 92, Sri Nataraja Iyer could be spotted in his iconic white khadi shirt, veshti, and
thundu, with his forehead adorned with vibhuti, meticulously overseeing the chopping of
vegetables, peeling of fruits, and serving of meals with a discerning eye. To this day, the
timeless tradition continues