Vishu

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There is a Santa Clausian presence to my memories related to Vishu. Most of our summer holidays long, long ago were spent with grandparents. We would be woken up at four or five in the morning, and we would be walked with our eyes closed to the hall.

When I open my eyes, I would see the hall transformed. I was supposed to be looking at the Gods and the kani, but in reality I would be wondering, where have all those framed family pictures gone, which used to hang from the wall? Where did these Gods come from? And all these vegetables and konnappoo and the assortment? Who did all this during the night? (If I had known about elves I would have given them the credit.) For a long time I thought there was some kind of magic behind this transformation until it began to sink in that the magician was my own grandfather. I suppose I believed that my parents and grandparents also woke up and found the Vishukkani ready.

So after the kani kaanal was over and we got our kaineettam (beginning at twenty paisa or twenty-five paisa) from the elders, we would quickly go back to where we came from - our beds. No point in wasting more sleep. The coins and notes would be scattered on the bed when we woke up. The next step was to pick them up and compare.

I used to see the same wonder in my son's eyes when he was still tiny enough to think that there was something quite miraculous behind the brightly-lit lamps and the pictures that made their appearance on Vishu morning. Now, at ten, he is a grown up. He asks me if he can help me arrange the kani. Then he thinks for a while and says, "Or maybe not. You arrange it. So it will be a surprise for me."

The transition from the world of magic to a world entirely without, and the clinging to the old memories of wonder.


Read: Vishu then and now

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Being Politically Correct on Diwali

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I wonder how many mothers yelled themselves hoarse this Diwali regarding crackers and related environmental hazards. Especially mothers of little boys like mine.

Legend has it that years ago, at the onset of Diwali, when crackers were sighted within range, I would scramble up the stairs and vanish, my hands covering my ears. (I am sure the legend is a lie, cooked up by my family to disgrace me). Anyway, soon after, I learned to not startle too much at every burst of crackers (and to hide my cowardice behind a silly grin). I also learned, in growing up years, to keep up appearances and say politically correct things like 'I love Diwali' and 'I so want to burst crackers'. But those days, pollution was the least of our concerns.

In my late teens, I noticed how my old grandparents were disconcerted at the incessant noise that kept them awake on Diwali night. It was probably the first time the idea of noise pollution crossed my mind. When my grandfather walked to and fro across his room, unable to sleep, I cursed the silly people who burst crackers throughout the night, unmindful of others.

Then there was a phase of indifference: our generation became too old to get excited over crackers or flower pots or sparklers, and more busy with college and work. Noise didn't matter, silence didn't either.

When my son was five or six months old (and it was not Diwali season), around half past ten one night, suddenly crackers began to go off in front of our apartment. The sleeping child began to startle and scowl in sleep. I waited for a while, and when it didn't stop, I went outside and asked the family (Dad, Mom and two children) if they could stop and continue a little earlier in the evening tomorrow. I think I put it politely.

Their response was not what I would call friendly. They were celebrating because they were back in India for a vacation, they said. My infant is sleeping, I said, and he is getting disturbed. These are only crackers, the teenager said, not bombs. The Dad took it up. These are only crackers, not bombs. I looked at the Mom. Her expression conveyed nothing. Maybe she thought I was being a spoilsport. I went back inside. After a while, the case was taken up by others from floors above who could not sleep, and a verbal battle ensued.

You got an idea about where this story is headed. Except that, it isn't exactly headed where it should be headed.

Last year, my son learned how to light sparklers and flower pots and even rockets. We stood a few feet away, watching, as he lit each of them and ran away to safety. It is not easy to dissuade him once he sets his mind on something. He is excited that he has mastered the art of lighting rockets and crackers and all those things that go bump in the night.

This year, he looked at the horizon when the rumble began at dusk, between rains, and said, 'Amme, there is a lot of smoke and sound pollution out there.' A beat later, he asked, 'When are we buying crackers?'

Anyone who has raised a child would know that to look at him and deny him that happiness (while the rest of his friends have fun outside) is not possible. Parents are torn between their love for nature and their love for their child; and you know which way the scales would tip. Anyone who hasn't raised a child would say that this is how parents spoil children. So I don't expect many mothers to raise hue and cry over pollution, even when we know what is right. (There is hope, however. My thirteen-year-old nephew has declared war against all Diwali stuff that pollute the air.)

Of the many hats that a mother has to wear, that of a confused hypocrite comes somewhere at the top.

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Just for Fun - a quick Diwali poem

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A little star was born,
Opened eyes and yawned.
Looked around and found
Blinking lights abound.

What are those? Or who
Are blinking red and blue?
Sometimes don't they move,
And playing peekaboo?

Stars they are, and planets
And asteroid belts
Satellites, comets
And, like you, small starlets.

I like that little blue,
Yonder, see, do you?
Like a drop of dew,
Mom, is that one new?

Why does that one glow
When the night does grow
Does it try to show
Us something we should know?

Two nights it has fun
It sparkles like the sun
Every year it's done
It's Diwali, my son!

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Live and Let Love

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Normally I would let this day pass without a mention. After all, isn't it mature and very adult to say that Valentine's day is a holiday largely manufactured by the greeting card industry? But I am known to change my mind on the spur of the moment if sufficiently provoked, especially on matters related to this blog.

(The above picture is taken from Valentine's Day Countdown cartoons by the extremely talented Stephanie Piro, who is also a cartoonist of the Six Chix. Make sure you check out the rest of her cartoons, and those of the other Chix!)


Thinking on the same lines, why do we even have a wedding anniversary celebration? Two people living in the same house, bickering all their life, put aside their differences for one day and go have a candle-lit dinner only to return and fight over something trivial. Or maybe, they won't have a candle-lit dinner and fight over not having it. Obviously the greeting card companies knew what they were doing. If it were a stupid idea, it wouldn't have caught up so well! Is it like saying social networking is an idea that was manufactured by social media marketers? Yup, we, the rest of the world, lap up the outcome of those ideas and merrily put the blame on the ones who thought about it.

I don't have anything For or Against 'celebrating' Love. I could as well turn against it, given that at my age no one bothers to give me gifts any more (Sigh)! My only hope is that my little son who always presents me flowers with no particular reason attached to it, would realise that Feb 14 is all about all kinds of Love and maybe... bring me one, saying he Loves his Mom. But there are several years between such a day and today.


In the meantime, I would suggest that those of us who find such celebrations meaningless, turn a blind eye on the PDAs and console ourselves that 'they'll soon grow out of it.' No use in working ourselves up, as I always say.

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Krishna Janmashtami

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I tell my son he doesn't have to go to school today. Today is Lord Krishna's birthday, Janmashtami.
He asks me, "How old is Krishna?"
"I don't know," I say. Wrong answer. So I add, "Probably a few years older than you are."
It is time to change the topic and/or escape from the area before he remembers that the Krishna who went to war with the Pandavas was quite old, probably as old as his parents. 

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Onakkazhcha

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Vishu... Then and Now

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Vishu, from the recesses of Memory...

... Summer Vacation
... An old house that exists no more, and a farm
... Grandparents...
... Being woken up at half-past-four in the morning, and brought before the Vishukani with eyes covered

... Wondering in half-sleep where the Vishukani came from, as it wasn't there the previous night
... Being given a coin each from grandparents and parents as Vishukaineetam
... Going back to bed, clutching the coins tight
... Come morning, bath, new dress and visiting the elders in the area for more Vishukaineetam
... Fighting with cousins over whether the bigger hex-shaped 20 paise coin or the smaller round 25 paise coin is better
... A small Devi Temple almost right across the house
... A river that flows at the door-step
... Running in and out of the house between games to munch home-made banana chips and to drink water from the mannkalam in the kitchen
... Playing hide and seek in the Cocoa plantation


Vishu, now...

... Taking a leave for Vishu, because it is not a holiday in these parts
... Checking with the local Malayalee store a couple of days before Vishu as to whether, and when, Konnappoo will be available
... Rushing to the store before the said time to ensure that we get a bunch before the rest of the Malayalees in the area snatch them away
... Buying a few vegetables for the Vishukani, compromising with lesser number than required, as the whole set won't be available there, anyway why buy the ones we won't use afterwards?

A sparse Vishukani

... Vishukani at 7am, oh well, who wants to wake up earlier than that?
... Bringing the little one with his eyes covered to see the Vishukani and giving him Vishukaineetam, no longer 20 paise or 25 paise coins, but notes in the double and triple digits
... Calling up his grandparents for Vishu wishes over phone
... Reading and responding to SMS Vishu wishes
... Preparing a few 'special' items with rice for lunch and calling it Sadya
...
Sigh.

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We've been good, but we can't last....

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Christmas Christmas time is here
Time for toys and time for cheer
We've been good, but we can't last
Hurry Christmas, hurry fast...

Want a plane that loops the loop
Me, I want a hula-hoop
We can hardly stand the wait,
Please, Christmas, don't be late!


- From Alvin and the Chipmunks, the Movie

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BBF-09 and the Stall of @Pothidotcom

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( I am back-posting this blog as KSEB(Electricity) and BSNL(Internet) conspired against me last night, and I want this to go with Friday's date, when I actually composed it..)
 
The seventh edition of the Bangalore Book Festival has taken off at the Palace Grounds, Mekhri Circle, today. Even though the fair was opened in the morning, the formal inauguration took place at 5(-ish) in the evening. I have been a regular at the Book Fest the last couple of years, dropping in at least twice during the ten days, and picking up a bunch of books. I did not know that this year, I would drop in there as a nail-biting participant whose books are on sale and who hopes that the visitors grab her books as soon as they set their eyes on it.

I visited the stall of Pothi.com with my son, and also wandered around the other stalls. Being a week day and the first day of the fair, the visitors were minimal, the women at the ticket counter were free enough to give me a big smile and share pleasantries, and I had difficulty in dodging a person at a stall who was after me trying to sell educational stuff for my son - I was perhaps the first visitor with a child. Darn, I had to leave my phone number with her.
But,... Boy! What an awesome collection of books. There were over 320+ stalls, truly it was a Book Feast for the eyes.

Below are some of the snaps of Pothi.com stall and my book smiling from there.

 

From the lens of Pothi.Com

 

Spot my book!

 

Jaya and Abhay at the Pothi.com stall, they are calling my son to pose for the photo with them!

 

 

My Book on display at the desk too.

In case you wish to visit Pothi.Com stall and check out my book, please note the stall number, 288 (closer to the Exit), lest you be overwhelmed by the countless stalls and titles and miss this one out!! 

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Thematic Photographic 74 - Red

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Posted for Thematic Photographic Challenge at Carmi's blog

 

My Little Krishna during the Sree Krishna Jayanthi celebrations at our apartment

Munnu fast asleep - Winter of '07

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Happy Diwali

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The crackers had started one week ago, announcing the arrival of Diwali (Deepavali - the Row of Lights), the Festival of Lights. The three nights of this long weekend, the noise of crackers and squealing children holding patakas would fill the air.

(And of course, lots of waste to clear in the following days, the remnants of the dhamaka!)

Some of the legends of Diwali can be found at this site. Copying a couple of them here (the most popular):

Krishna Killed Narakaasur: On the day preceding Diwali, Lord Krishna killed the demon king Narakaasur and rescued 16,000 women from his captivity. The celebration of this freedom went on for two days including the Diwali day as a victory festival.

The Victory of Rama: According to the epic 'Ramayana', it was the new moon day of Kartik when Lord Ram, Ma Sita and Lakshman returned to Ayodhya after vanquishing Ravana and conquering Lanka. The citizens of Ayodhya decorated the entire city with the earthen lamps and illuminated it like never before.


Winter's on its way! For this part of the world, Diwali announces the arrival of Winter. The temperature dips significantly in the days following Diwali. So this long weekend can be used to pull out blankets and sweaters and air them for use.

Diwali goes Global: Saw this news regarding US President Barack Obama celebrating Diwali at the White House.


By the way: The Book Giveaway Contest will close tomorrow, do post your thoughts, I will announce the winner(s) on Monday!

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Glimpses of God's Own Country - during Onam (part II)

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In the previous post, I shared some snaps from Ernakulam and the road to Kottayam. Here are the remaining snaps, from Kottayam to Thiruvananthapuram. Please read the captions below each snap. (As before, many of the road snaps were taken from a moving car, so the quality may not be excellent.)


I wanted to capture a beautifully illuminated shop at Kottayam, but a bus got in the way. Then I spotted this coconut tree and tried to shoot it instead. I know it doesn't look great, but this was the best of three attempts - it was late evening, and we were in the middle of crawling traffic, and unable to stop for a snap.


Josco, Kottayam - on the other side of the coconut tree. Same condition as above.



It was raining the entire week, almost non-stop. Here Munnu stands getting drenched, wondering whether to continue or come into the house. He finally took off his clothes and took a bath in the rain. Ah, the joys of childhood!


Onassadya - the lunch, in traditional style, on banana leaves.


This monkey loves mango trees!


We encountered a khoshayatra on Avittam day, and the 'deer' came to make friends with Munnu.


Munnu and his grandpa at Shanghumugham beach (Thiruvananthapuram.) The only thing that Bangalore lacks is a beach!


The sea was rough - the tide was high, it was noon-time and the day of the full moon.



Munnu tasting sea water!

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Glimpses of God's Own Country - during Onam (part I)

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Here are some of the snaps from our trip to Kerala last week. Do read the captions below each. (Most of the road snaps were taken from the car, and hence lack clarity.)

Oberon Mall at EKM


Had to capture this hoarding on the roadside. But could not manage to avoid the electric lines!


The writing on the auto (pic taken from the car) says, "Roadside Friend"



Ernakulam - Kottayam Road


As we passed a bridge...


Couldn't resist this - looked very colourful!


Ernakulam - Kottayam Road


View from another bridge




We managed to meet King Mahabali and an elephant on the way. Munnu was excited ! The elephant isn't real, by the way - though the King is. Both were advertising "Archana Textiles."

More snaps in the next post...

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Thiruonam

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Thiruonam. The most important festival of Malayalis, celebrated across Kerala irrespective of religion or caste.

Most of the major festivals in India have more than one story associated with them. Onam is one of the festivals which have only one legend describing it. The banishment of the good King Mahabali of Kerala by Lord Vishnu and his arrival every year to see his citizens. Gods are sometimes unfair to man, in the name of fulfilment of their dharma.

Not a Malayali? Read this website for the story of Onam.


(Pre-scheduled post)

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I'll see you when I see you!

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As I had let slip several times this week, we are going on a short trip to God's own country, Kerala, to celebrate Onam. The vacation is not going to be the kind where we sit back and relaaaaxxxxxx one whole week, it is going to be hectic with the three of us - AK, Munnu and I - sprinting from Nedumbassery to Thiruvananthapuram in seven days. But I am excited that we can catch the different faces of Onam in the towns we pass! Believe me, Kerala is the place to be - especially at the time when King Mahabali is around.

Though I plan to be totally out of touch with the Outside World, considering my obsession with the Internet, I suspect I will peek in now and then - perhaps towards the end of next week - to see how things are faring in the cyber world.

And I do not intend to completely neglect my blog while I am away. Taking a leaf from Sandra Bell-Lundy's blog, I am scheduling a few posts for the next week.

Do come over, read them and leave me comments!

Happy Onam to all !

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Ganesha goes to his Mother

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Ganesha Pooja at our apartment on Sunday night.

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Atham

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Today is a very special day.
Today is Ganesh Chaturthi, the festival of Lord Ganesha.
Today is also Atham, the day that signifies the beginning of Onam, the most important festival of Keralites. The ten-day countdown to Thiruonam(Sep 2) begins today.

Next Sunday, I travel to Kerala to be part of the celebrations!

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Independence Day

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This year's Independence Day has been quite dampened thanks to the nasty swine flu that has descended on the nation, early this week. Panic is the mood of the hour, and the last thing on everyone's minds is celebration.

Anyway... Jai Hind!

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Raksha Bandhan

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Today is Raksha Bandhan, the festival that celebrates brother-sister love.



The following text is borrowed from today's Times of India:

Legend has it that when Krishna was injured with a cut on his hand, Draupadi, the Pandavas' wife, dressed his wound by wrapping a strip of her sari around it. Krishna, touched by her concern for his well-being, swore to repay the debt by protecting her.
Over the years, the spirit of rakhi spread with other stories further emphasizing the importance of the bond. By tying a rakhi, a sister promises to pray for her brother's well-being and he, in return, promises to protect her.


More stories from the legends, regarding Rakhi can be found in this site.
Picture of Rakhi (above) saved from the Internet.

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Soan Papdi

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The delicious Sweet that melts in the mouth!

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