NATIONAL: Village Cooking Channel Crosses 30M Subs, Now World No.4
In the quiet fields of Chinnaveeramangalam village, Pudukkottai district, Tamil Nadu, a group of locals turned everyday cooking into a global sensation.
Launched in April 2018, the Village Cooking Channel on YouTube captures the essence of rural Tamil cuisine, drawing nearly 30 million subscribers by late 2025.
What started as a family hobby now rivals top food creators worldwide, blending tradition with heartfelt storytelling.
The channel’s appeal lies in its authenticity: no sleek studios, just open-air fires and massive earthen pots.
Videos showcase feasts for hundreds, from biryanis to sweets, all shared with villagers and charities.
This simple formula has amassed over 9 billion views, proving that slow-cooked stories resonate far beyond the screen.
Roots in Rural Hands
The team comprises brothers V. Subramanian, V. Ayyanar, and V. Murugesan; their cousin T. Muthumanickam; and brother-in-law G. Tamilselvan.
Leading them is grandfather M. Periyathambi, a seasoned village caterer whose wisdom anchors every recipe.
Together, they film in their hometown, using age-old methods to prepare dishes like mushroom biryani or watermelon juice.
Periyathambi’s gentle guidance shines through, earning him affectionate nicknames from fans.
The group’s bond, forged over shared meals, infuses videos with warmth that viewers crave.
After shoots, leftovers feed local orphanages and elders, turning content creation into quiet community service.
Viral Boost from Politics
A pivotal moment arrived in January 2021 during Tamil Nadu’s assembly elections.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi joined the crew near Aravakurichi, Karur district, for a mushroom biryani session.
The 14-minute clip, showing Gandhi chopping onions and dining on banana leaves, exploded online with tens of millions of views.
This unexpected crossover spiked subscribers from around 5 million to over 10 million within months.
Gandhi’s down-to-earth chat, even suggesting international shoots, humanized the politician while spotlighting the channel’s charm. It marked a turning point, blending grassroots appeal with national buzz.
Global Feast: Ranks and Riches
By October 2025, the channel hit 29.7 million subscribers, ranking 326th overall on YouTube and a strong contender in food niches.
Hits like the 300-million-view watermelon juice video highlight its draw, with monthly earnings estimated at $200,000-$650,000.
As the top Tamil channel, it snagged YouTube’s Diamond Creator Award in 2023.
Standout recipes include:
- Traditional country chicken curry, evoking childhood memories.
- Giant-scale sweets like rava kesari, portioned for crowds.
- Seasonal delights, from termite fry to fruit-infused grains.
Yet success hasn’t changed their ethos; profits fund village aid, including COVID relief donations.
Whispers of What’s Next
From humble pots to worldwide plates, Village Cooking Channel shows how local tales can feed global hunger for connection.
As algorithms favor flash, this crew’s steady simmer reminds us: true flavor needs time.