Every morning, I plan to finalise the domain name and bio for the blog account – but the Shubh Mahurat seems to be evading me still.
Today Gopi is dressed in a Jari Langa aka Silk Lehenga with a long kurta – she looks cheerful too – I saw her walking down from the temple to the park – maybe its her birthday today. I used to be in Bangalore during my birthdays in my childhood and would always get a new jari langa – which I used to wear proudly and show off to all my friends in Delhi during the festivals. I still have Andal & Aditi’s first langas given by my Mom for their naming ceremony – one in blue and the other in red. What a coincidence, blue is Aditis favourite colour and Andal likes red. How did Mom know then?
Durga and I used to enjoy stitching clothes for the girls. When they were very young, it would be of the same material with them twinning, but soon enough, they started insisting on different colours. Durga had kept many of them with care, and today, it brings back good memories, when we see Brinda wearing them. Durga was superstitious about clothes – she still feels that if it is not given with love, it is not good for the child. This Drishti or Nazar or Evil eye thing used to irritate me so much. After every birthday party, she would take a broom stick and remove the nazar, with me grumbling in the background. She used to strategically place this almost round black smudge with kajal on their cheeks whenever they went out or we had visitors at home. A common practise in South India, but try explaining it to Middle Eastern or European nurses and doctors during vaccination trips to the hospitals in Dubai. But our nurses from Kerala would smile with approval. I think every country and region has its own version of the evil eye or Drishti. And oddly enough to prove Durga’s point, there was this frock in which Andal always vomited. After the fourth time, Durga just threw the frock away – I am surprised she didn’t burn it. Do you believe in the Evil eye?
During my third lap, I notice this tall lady walking ahead of me with long beautiful grey hair. The Salt & Pepper look does suit some – lends a certain elegance and sophistication, dont you agree? I would certainly like to try it. I have a few silver strands now, which I keep telling my kids and team, I totally totally owe it to them.
I notice two of the Priest’s assistants carrying big steel vessels towards the deity – Yes, Prasadam. Aditi, when young, used to rate temples by their Prasadam – and I am sure Google, Facebook, Swiggy, et all, got the rating idea from there. Much to Appa’s amusement, at home, the temples would be known more from the type of Prasadam (Puliyogare-tamarind rice, curd rice, sweet Pongal, Laddoos) than by the presiding deity. There is something about Prasadam – even Glucose biscuits given outside Sai Baba’s temple tastes good. I think it must be our faith, that is the secret ingredient that makes it so delicious.
There is this young girl, not older than 5 years, who has rolled up a newspaper and using it like a mike, starts loudly imitating the leader of the laughing club – Ho Ho Haa Haa, Ho Ho Haa Haa. For a moment they stop, look at her, then start laughing and invite her to join them – which she happily does. We, the walkers, look at each other and start laughing aloud too. A beautiful way to start a day, isn’t it? A child can bring so much of difference.
Recently we had a team Iftar outing@ Chetty’s Seshadripuram and Navitha had brought her little son along. Soon, he was happy in the arms of Abdul & Akash and playing on the slides in the adjacent park. I saw Kavan smiling while drops of Kulfi fell all over his shirt as Dhruvan enjoyed the Kulfi, cradled in his arms. Don’t children bring out the best in us.
Children and … and… dogs ofcourse. I make my hot cuppa coffee and sit with Kaaju, who still tries to reach my cup inspite of a stern ‘No’. Why do all my kids react the same way to my ‘No’? It certainly does not mean try again.
0 Comments