A couple of colorful Kolam from the neighborhood, shot on the day of the Pongal festival last month.
A cow and calf
drove down our street on Mattu Pongal – the third day (Jan 15) of the Pongal festival celebrated to thank cattle. Each year we find a cow or two drove down
our street after the worship or perhaps to or fro from a temple visit since
they are celebrated on this day.
The Indian rain tree opposite our house.
The ripe
leaves fall off the tree
In the
air, the destination undefined
Yet the
infinite wind blow
To keep it
ground and far.
The
falling leaves seems a blessing
On anyone
under its tree
Perhaps,
because these are mature leaves
Equivalent
to be greeted by adults.
The leaves
depart on a journey undecided,
Gives way
to emerging shoots.
Perhaps,
because it is called Indian rain tree
It showers in golden yellow.
Let’s begin the month (February) colorfully!
Kolam considered
an auspicious and morning exercise for women in general, as they bend down and
connect the dots, they do some math’s blending the body and mind. Due to knee
problems and space for drawing, keep mom away from following the custom, so my
aunt takes care of drawing kolam daily in front of the house as we share the
same gateway. Lately, there was a talk of keeping a maid to do the task daily
on our behalf. Not every day we drew color Kolam; so, it won't be difficult in
general, and many of our neighbors have such maids, who used to draw simple and
same design as Kolam.
Every year we
used to draw colorful Kolams, aka Rangoli, in front of the home to add
auspiciousness to the festival, and boiling milk and rice in a mud pot, on top
of firewood, is another kind of gesture greeting farmers and nature, and also
helping the pottery workers.
I always love
celebrating a festival beyond its religious beliefs and rituals, as I believe
festivals are mean to gather people and celebrate the spirit of togetherness. Pongal
is a social festival and farmer’s festive so wishing for their wellness is important
and being a pandemic period, we had no option other than limiting our celebrations although our celebration is always restrained to two families. But this year is
gonna be celebrated in the kitchen itself. Hehe
Talking about
the past year will only make it sadder than happier, and it is a year the world
will never forget for the number of losses mankind faced, but the consoling
fact was nature restored its place even if it is a temporary phase. Personally, 2020 is a devastating year for us
apart from the pandemic Dracula sucking the life from all over the world, some
lives were lost in our family circle and a couple of them were quite unexpected.
Though no life is lost for COVID-19, my uncle’s death was the most sent tremors
into our family than the cousin who died leaving back two little kids. No life
is left to comparable and life is a life that is replaceable by anything but
we haven’t been close with that cousin to deeply feel the pain.
This cousin is a good-hearted guy, and kindness would melt in
front of his smile, and he had never raised his voice or think to hurt anybody,
but he died out of high pressure and cardiac arrest. Perhaps because of this,
he hadn't shared his problems with others, and this is a problem with many of
our reserved types is to suffer silently. He’s a project manager in a reputed
IT firm and an affectionate kid to his mom and with a problematic married life,
should I need to define the challenges he got in front of him to cease his life?
My uncle
is just 6 months younger than my dad and thus they are like best friends and
whatever it is dad only call him first to know his thought before proceeding. I
would say he was an iron man who lived among us, and his support to our families is significantly
strong and there’s nothing he unknown, and has great grasping power to workout things
at observing. It was him, and it was on
his captainship my brother’s wedding in November held successfully. But he couldn’t
live less than a week to see them lead their life or any of our future events.
We meet
him frequently or to say at least once in a week or two, it was hard for us to
think or feel he’s no more but we feel regret for our aunt who misses him the
most as a loving wife. They lived like made for each other and as a cool and
casual couple. They lead any of our functions
from the front and now seeing her confined to home hurts really. I hope she
returns to normalcy and continues the way she was earlier. I know she too knows
life has to move on, more than any of the other, as she already came over her
daughter’s demise a decade ago. My thoughts go for her…
Thank you
Brother’s wedding arrangements were going in full swing, and with only two days left for the occasion – of Nov 25th evening reception and Nov 26th morning marriage – the invitation process came to an end with Panthakaal on Sunday. Panthakaal is a pre-wedding ritual, where a wooden pole is planted in front of the house (a few days ahead of the wedding) after prayer for a trouble-free wedding ceremony. In the bygone era, word of mouth was the only source of communication; so pole planting ensures the passers-by get to know about the wedding and also the good news is passed to others.
Now, following the
Panthakaal, Nalanggu is performed on him for the remaining days to the wedding.
Nalanggu is an activity of applying turmeric paste on the cheeks, hands, and
feet of the bride and groom by the married women, and as a blessing, saffron is
applied to their forehead. Mostly
it’s a 3-day ritual, and we are having guests visiting us every day to perform
the rite, and my brother is at hold at home from Sunday. Other than relatives, we invite friends and
neighbors to visit us to perform the ritual, and for me, I get something
special to eat at home in the evenings and at night as we have guests.
Everything goes well until now, and our house got a cheerful look like
the wedding lights that set home in the festival glow. But not to forget, the
Nivar cyclone is nearing us and threatening to mess the celebration mood as it
is predicted to strike exactly on the dates of the wedding. We
have no option other than facing anything that comes our way, but we hope the
cyclone passes off quickly before the event began.
The last few weeks were
kind of huff and puff for the parents, and presenting the invitation has kept
them away from the afternoon naps and our bedtime to past 11 pm. My uncle's
family next door has taken care of me while my parents were away on an inviting
spree, we still can’t reach out to many of them as we got a very short time, and
the pandemic is another troublesome kicking ass as well. Conducting a marriage
in a situation of social distancing and mask-wearing is a different experience
we’re looking forward to, and hope things work well for us safely and securely.
We had a couple of boys from the backstreet to join the festival night, and we lit some fireworks in the street. I enjoyed watching and taking some photos and videos of fireworks, and my favorites were the sky shots. It's only during this time (of Deepavali), we could see the dazzling show of fireworks in the sky, and the firework mode in the camera is an inspiration for me to shoot a perfect sky shot. But it seldom happens to me, and the GoPro helps me get some decent videos of the fireworks that are waiting to be edited before upload here. I downloaded video editing software and got into trouble as it slowed the system, I uninstalled it, but the system lost its speed and probably would need an OS reinstall.
Just a week left for my brother’s wedding and everyone is so busy with work schedule, and taking the laptop to service is not possible and insisting couldn’t be right at the moment. So perhaps my blogging couldn’t be regular because I find it really difficult to make a post or upload photos in-between the lag. Deepavali is always connected with nostalgic memories, and it becomes impossible to drive away from the thoughts of celebration, and I couldn’t stop comparing the past with the current. Though the trend has changed a lot these years – the sound of crackers and smoke level had also drastically reduced this year – couldn’t create the festival mood naturally these days. I hope you guys had a great festival of lights. And don’t forget to check the short video below, having some glimpses of the celebration.
The northeast monsoon opened its doors with a bang of a thunderstorm and rain ever like before in the last three years, beginning from midnight to dawn, it poured near 200mm of rain in a brief time. The rain flooded the roads of Chennai city (yesterday) within an hour or two of the downpour, though it drained hours later into the day, the rain at night was such forceful to increased the risk of water entering our home as our terrace got flooded. The overflowing water that cascaded through the staircase filled the balcony and came close to the threshold.
Our threshold is less
than an inch high (which we kept it low to allow the wheelchair to cross easily)
had come boon in blocking the water, while our uncle’s portion, at the other
end of the balcony, with a two-inch threshold, couldn’t stop the water from entering
their home! They were busy throughout the night, pulling the water out of their
living room since their balcony is a slight decline from ours, the water easily
flows into their side to flood the home. And it’s a usual thing that happens
with them, whenever it rains forcefully, but before it extends, we need to workout
it sooner.
The night was roaring in a thunderstorm and a kind of laser show in lightning. Though I didn’t wake up to see all that happens outside, the sound of the activities and flash of lights conveyed me the drama. The garden of the house (pic above) opposite us was in stagnant rainwater, and it took nearly a day to recede. The metro water workers had dug a couple of digs (pic below) on our street, to clean up the drinking water pipes that was going on for some days, had messed up the place with heavy rains. The meteorologists predicted heavy rains further into the day, but as usual, the weather went in contrast to what they said, and there wasn’t rain after that.
It rains as if never
going to rain
A trial of the northeast
monsoon
Draw trail as if clearing
the way
For heavy rain to run
down the drain.
The day was brighter and sunny
To ever think of raining
Until silvery clouds float in
To become gloomy and rain.
The pitter-patter of rain
Continue its rhyme, wordlessly
like a kindergarten kid, I
rejoiced singing along the rain.
 |
The beautiful sunny day in the morning contrary to rain in the evening. |
Linking this post with Skywatch Friday
There were
the days, during the elections, or kind of emergencies, people speak through the
megaphone to draw attention or warn people of the upcoming danger. Sometimes they speak live on the mike, other
than playing the recorded voice of the announcement while coming around the
streets in the autorickshaw to let people know. The same applied to the
announcement of polio drops, every year, had now become a common use by hawkers
in selling their items instead of shouting out the throat.
To my memory,
I first heard the recorded voice (used by street vendors) was the silk lace
buyers in bikes, in urging tone buying old silk lace of any kind at a reasonable
price. And regardless of Sundays, they used to wander our street playing the
recorded voice as disturbing the leftover peace, and many a time they stop near
our home and playback the audio aloud. Following
their footsteps, I heard the same in different words from the sellers of
Idiyappam – a rice noodle dish from south India, Kolamavu (chalk or rock powder
used for drawing Kolam, a design drawn in front of the houses as an invite to
home), Knief grinders; and many others on the track.
During the
lockdown days, some vendors came on the street selling veggies in mini-trucks,
as coming out of the home has been restricted, these vehicles pull
off the doorstep and their playback is something constant and without a break
is a headache. Glad they aren’t often these days after the announcement of
relaxation; though I care for their livelihood, the noise they create was a nuisance. Today I found an interesting thing happening right
outside the home, where a north Indian hawker, with a bike, loaded with door and
floor mats were adjusting his megaphone. And I just watched what
he was doing as he handed over the megaphone to a vegetable vendor, who parked on
his side speaks over it like one mat 20 rupees, two mats 50 rupees’ in his
familiar tone of selling vegetables in Tamil.
It’s apparent that he doesn’t know Tamil and though he may understand, his trouble with colloquial forced to use him on his behalf. He playback the megaphone as the vegetable vendor moves a little, turned back to respond with a smile. I moved the way hawkers helping each other even if it was a little bit of this. I think about the many vendors who ventured into the south Indian states (or any other state with different languages) to speak or understand, this kind of help from the fellow vendors will improve their business, and hope to survive out of their town. And this is what inspired me to write the post – my experience with megaphones.
Saturdays and squirrels always sync with me and I have mentioned it a few times in this blog itself and this unity works out from childhood to till date when I spot a couple of little squirrels chasing one another like kids try to defeat either in a running race or like players running endlessly on the ancient walls in Temple Run, on the extended arm of the rain tree, the guys hurried down to disappear in seconds. They look perhaps siblings who chase another for silly things as kids do and there’s no wonder as they are younger to be in a playful mood.
I have always seen the little squirrels running around the Rain and Indian tulip tree opposite our house but not sure which one of the two. Another day I saw a little one eating the pods of the tulip tree while dangling on the edge of branches. Squirrels are everywhere and only we have to look out if want something fun with nature and squirrels is great entertainers and I enjoyed them more when I was close to the ground before moved to the first floor of our house. The houses we moved in the past had squirrels wander through the yards and I’m enthused to shoot squirrels in my camera and I have also seen the worst of a black cat killing a Lil squirrel while I was capturing it.
The Indian palm squirrel you see in photos was way a few weeks back and was nibbling on the leftover rice on the wall beneath the tulip tree. The squirrel was quite alert while eating the leftover making quick trips up and down the tree when it feels fear and I got these cute close-up shots from the maximum zoom of my Canon point and shoot cam. Hope you like the little acts of the squirrel. Have a nice weekend.
Linking this post with SATURDAY CRITTERS
In the silence of the afternoon
a squirrel screeched from the bushes
neither signaling its mate nor scared of prey
went silent later, as if it ended either way.
Rolling of the brass cuboid dice
the metal sounds from another side
slide me down the memory lane, like fall colors
memories of a cheerful period fall back.
A flock of birds in the background babble
indicates the return of the yellow-billed babblers
the crazy noisy guys, who always hangout to ground
kept me from joining, as I lifted to the first floor.
A sound of the saw at a distance
came distracting me as rooster began its crow
the day reached its edge and a sip of tea
lighter the evening, as the sun, drops its glow.
October, often
reminds me of Mahatma Gandhi’s specs perhaps because the O – the first letter
of the month October – resembles the shape of Gandhi’s specs and moreover
October 2nd is Gandhi’s birthday and it could be the reason to connect O with his
specs. Gandhi’s birthday is celebrated as Gandhi Jayanthi and we’re proud to
say he’s the father of our nation!
October Sky is
one of my favourite movies and the teens experiment with rockets in the movie
reminds me of the childhood days as kids when we explode firecrackers and the
Indian festival of light, aka Diwali or Deepavali also often fall on the month
of October is appropriate to connect. Diwali is a festival that we could not be
far from fireworks or firecrackers and it is fun to play with those and watch
rockets boom the sky with light and colours stroke a chord of sight.
Ayutha Poojai
is another childhood delight that falls in the month of October this year. The
festival celebrates weapons or tools, is conducted to maintain and cleans the
machineries that helps in production and day-to-day activities will pull-off
for a day or two to give rest to them and worship for the wellness of
machineries and business. I grew up watching my uncle’s garage as our home was
adjoined then and putting a step outside the home is left into the garage. So I
don't need to say how well I put on delight during the Ayudha poojai festival
which is celebrated as a family festival that please me when I join the
employees in decorating and cleaning the workshop. The festival was so
delightful until my uncle was alive (he passed away in Dec 2001) and later they
celebrated the festival but the spirit went missing. You can check the link here to read how delightful the festival was then.
October is the starting season of Northeast
monsoon which bestows with rain across south east India and dipping of
temperature makes favourable weather for traveling. Except for the areas along
the Western Ghats, the Tamil Nadu experiences hot weather across the plains and
it is from Oct to Feb the weather turns cooler. And it was the time I love
to travel as it is a pleasure to do the same with windows rolled down
rather using AC – only for highways cruising and dusty roads – the weather
out here is inviting for a ride but I do remember the pandemic isn’t over.
I wish at the same time the monsoon flourishes this year at least to say
2020 wasn’t drought!
Hope all is well at your side and great
month ahead.
Like the spokes on wheels
life rotates in support of
passion, affection and hope
to do better in life.
The activity of pedalling
like one’s deed in time, forward
the life to an enhanced state
of peace, wise and prosperous.
In the long run, normal bends
to slow down the pace
or pick up things at difficult, that
life isn't distant from worn out wheels.
Like spinning wool on wheels
life weaves through relationships
love, trade, recreation and reproduction
to represent another wheel of life.
The family living in the opposite house weren’t that generous to allow the cock inside their compound but the country cock doesn’t confine to anything unlike the broiler chicken that has a destiny has become a headache to them. The cock chose the open garden or lawn in front of their home as his favourite hunting ground for forage and used to fly off the compound or perched on the neighbour's tree when the owner came out to the garden. Until now, the situation wasn't different and the neighbour has a reason too to shoo off the bird, despite the fact it digs off the seeds and plants from ground, it doesn't keep quiet all the time rather crying loud esp. During the silent afternoon and sometimes even at night its crows disturb the peace and slumber of all in the house, including a 90+ year old man.
So far no one tried to catch the cock (even the labourers of the chicken shop) and the cock too doesn't come out of the gate or compound (or run into the streets) of the neighbour’s house. The house belongs to a 92 year old retired wing commander but it was his son in 60+ takes care of everything and he’s an enthusiastic gardener and loves planting or seeding new ones. Sometimes he used to share vegetables grown in his backyard and they don't familiarise with anybody in the neighbourhood and most of the time it was a smile or a few words of greeting that ended our relationship even though we are neighbours for 40 years. Click here to see and read my post on this house and neighbour!
I couldn’t get
a clear shot of the cock from the mobile but you could see the cock in the
image above and behind the gate it strolled.
Linking this post with SATURDAY CRITTERS
Behind the fence, blooms
a beauty in yellow, quite
under the lime tree.
Linking this post for Good Fences by Gosia and Floral Friday Foto
From
tender green to rusty
leaves cling to different colours
revealing the various stages of life
identical to mortal.
From
a baby like shoots
leaves thrive to greenness
mushroom a layer of bottle green
mellow yellow as they grew older.
From
a chapter of a tree
leaves unfold to different phases
as bystanders of better or for worse
built on the creators' standards.
From
summer to spring
leaves don’t stick to green
akin to the season's change, leafage
alter colours n gives way to new shoots.
