Youth revolution turned people for Jallikattu

Before I go into the historical revolution and ever seen frame of protest by our youth of Tamil Nadu against the ban on our traditional sport Jallikattu, I want to condemn the police for executing batons on the youth gathered on the Marina beach, where the main protest was going through (peacefully) for 6 days (from Jan 17-22). The protest first began at Alanganallur, the town famous for the valiant sport, has inspired the youth of Tamil Nadu to form a protest arbitrarily to save the Jallikattu which directly supports the native breed bulls. The protest began with hundreds of people crossed millions at the end of the day, across the state. At Marina beach (the 2nd longest beach in world) alone more than 1.5 million had gathered for the protest, which had no head to lead but the small small groups gathered at the beach were all connected through social media.

The most amazing and ever seen about the protest was it was conducted in a very stocky and self-disciplined state, where no one affected in anyways… although there was some, which were adjust by the public because of the intention of the protest. Individuals perhaps have different opinions on conduction the sport, but the overall spirit of Tamil people was supposed to support the Jallikattu as it was a cultural identity of Tamils and when the youth of Tamil Nadu come to the street to protest there was none left to prevent but rather came forward (as families) to support the cause. Even though I haven’t participated in the protest physically, my mind was quite around and I intensely supported the revolution and kept sharing things related to protest and expressing my thoughts via Facebook while  continue watching the news channels for update.

The protest conducted on the footstep of Gandhi (Non-violence) went such peaceful with dignity, trust and courage.  And also his dream and belief of independence had come true though the protest where women and young girls staying overnight without any hesitation or fear about the opposite gender who protected them like their own sisters. It is one of the greatest strength of the protest where the world looks after with awe. The protest has projected the determination of Tamil people and will power of youth and moreover the exhibition of lifestyle and the behaviour pattern of the youth and the culture of Tamils make feel pride. It seems there isn’t a youth revolution happened like this in post-independence India (perhaps with Hindi protest), where an entire state comes together to standstill to protect their cultural identity and interest.

The protest for jallikattu had touched beyond the core cause of conducting the sport! The unison inspired by the protest has set hope that we have the will to face anything that’s against the people. It couldn’t be enough how many times we put salute to the youth who achieved what they want (by non-violence) putting pressure on the state government to take immediate steps, and thus CM met PM and an emergency law is implemented to conduct the sport against the ban of Supreme court and there’s a hope the law will make the sport constant. Though the sport is already regulated by the Supreme Court in year 2007, which brought down anything displeasure related with the sport, the newly implemented law is expect to add sternness. Until the Monday evening, when the former chief justice reveals the real facts about the law, there’s an uncertain condition prevailed everywhere whether to let down or not the protest.

It’s obvious that only strong and active bulls can breed native cows which means of healthiness or restoring health in many ways.  We do hope the protest emphasis the vital of bulls and make aware the importance of preserving them among the public. Did we saved the Jallikattu or not, we disclosed a behaviour that’s impossible to bring out unless it was inbuilt through the rich culture alike Tamil. Though we united as India, any part of the country hasn’t seen such a confrontation and comfort facing the supreme power and creating a protective environment for the women in protest. No one from the political or film industry is allowed into the protest; rather those come alone on their own interest, is indeed setback to those who believed that only they could manage certain things, people taught them that it is we they are depend.

I am certain the history will never forget this occasion, though the protest has been a grand victory and was supposed to end peacefully was disturbed by the wrong attitude of the police. I don’t want go deep into the issue that made me feel bad and sad. But what happened could never bring down what was created by the youth. I think I don’t need to say more but the video below will show you the real starts… the mobile torch protest by youth during the dusk makes feel heaven on earth, where the technology and traditional inherent overshined! Hats off! 

RGB Monday

Being Margazhi, the Tamil month of winter, I couldn’t think any other than the Kolam (a fascinating art that continue to attract people from all walk) to be apt to post under the meme, that capture the essence of colors. Margazhi is considered an auspicious month in Tamil and many religious activities take place during this time and drawing Kolam, a pattern or design that adorn the gateway, gets special attention.

Kolam is a custom followed by every house of Hindus and it’s a daily activity for many, including ours. But during Margazhi the Kolam gets a new least of joy where colors are added to the drawing and everyone try new patterns and brings out their artistic skill through the Kolam. Kolam always been my favourite thing and I enjoy watching different patterns and encourage mom to try new ones and I have also helped her getting patterns from internet. For me, Kolam is apart any belief and its way of exhibiting art and beauty. 

Here’s RGB Monday to keep away your Monday Blues and make feel colourful and yet cheerful! And this Link-in feature invites your colourful photos with the content of RGB – Red, Green, and Blue. Please add your link-in at the comment section (along with your comment)and it will be mentioned at the bottom of the post.

1. Devilish Angel 

My Christmas décor @ Home

(do check  the header for another angle) 

Last year I didn’t decorate for the Christmas unlike previous years and similar to 2013, when I fall for femur fracture and took quite bed rest, and last year the disaster rain and flood keeps away the spirit for celebrating Christmas. Though this year to the cyclone Vardha created an environmental havoc and be the reason for number of tree fall, the mood for celebration couldn’t be avoided because the intend for the merry Christmas has been in mind even before our honourable Chief Minister passed away, leaving a great void. I made arrangements on my personal interest and thanks to my parents for supporting on decorating the Christmas tree and lighting the portico.

I too was watching some Christmas movies for last few days to keep up the festival spirit and I always believe festivals are to celebrate and bring together the people for sharing. “Jingle all the way” and “Christmas Vacation” are quite fun movies, unlike “The Christmas story” which moved me really and captured minute beauty in the family and relationship between brothers. But it was a movie actual based on Christmas gifts and the little boy (elder son of the family) acting was natural and could easily connect with childhood of everyone.

My favorite x-mas tree 

Btw.

Wish you all Merry Christmas and Happy New Year… Hope it was a fabulous year for all.

Awesome Vacation @ Serene Woods

I had an awesome vacation last week (July 23^rd - 29^th) at my uncle’s woodhouse, aka Serene Woods, in Thandikudi, near Kodaikanal. It was my second vacation for the first time in less than 3 months times. Because only in the 2^nd week of May I visited the same and stayed for a week with my family including two cousins and grandma, but this time it was a kind of get-together with couple of my aunt/uncle families, it was a celebration sort of moment. Last time I haven’t spent enough time at the woodhouse but was at much leisure exploring some nook and corners of the Kodaikanal Hills by staying there. This time I went quite blank to enjoy what comes my way and we spent most of the days at the wood-house/cottage, eating, sleeping, taking photos and chatting except a day drive to Poombarai.

Last year my uncle organised a ceremony formally informing the built of the woodhouse and cottage but for some unspecific reason no one from our side (maternal aunt) could attend the event. And from then on, they are planning to bring us all there to compensate the event (even if they haven’t built woodhouse we would be somewhere together) or give treat to share their happiness. But before they could come up with a plan we landed there on our own and experienced the woodhouse and cottage that built amid the coffee, pepper and orange plantations. This was my 4^th time visit to Thandikudi and second time stay at the woodhouse. Our journey started too late this time and reaching out the suburb (Chennai) took more than 2 hours – due to some traffic jams and detours – it was almost dark when reached the Serene Woods.

Oranges grew in the vicinity of Serene Woods

The first day was spent quite at the woodhouse and cottage. It is a two story building with the ground and underground goes down the road and the woodhouse comes atop. But only woodhouse has ramp facility to allow me to stay there with much ease. The woodhouse contains a big hall and spacious two bedrooms with a king-size bed and a single cot on each room with attached bathrooms. And it has a wonderful wide balcony overlooking the woods and wild vegetation on the backyard. The cottage on the ground beneath has a similar partition with a veranda and open staircase come steps gallery to sit, chat and retreat along a bonfire pit in the courtyard.  The underground holds the kitchen and room for the caretaker and the cook. The cottage has a parking facility and space to park two big SUVs.

Interior of the wood-house (hall and bedroom)

We were 14 people in two cars (Innova and Scorpio) took charge the woodhouse/cottage for 6 nights and 5 days was blissful. Except day one we experienced rain daily. Though it rained almost every evening, the weather was wonderful throughout with bright sunshine in mornings and chirping of birds (in different notes) at the dawn and dusk become my favorite moments. It was cheerful being together with cousins, uncles and aunties and cooking ourselves what we like, despite have a cook, and it was indeed enjoyable sharing the moments at nature’s lap. Just for a day I was brought down to the ground floor cottage, as I haven’t been there, and we had a small bonfire celebration at night. It was refreshing to watch showing around the woods from the balconies of the wood-house kept enchanting.

The last day was spent at the premises of the Thandikudi Murugan Temple; since it was a special day at the temple, leaving our parents there we (cousins) went on and off the area and had the lunch at the temple itself. Being to Thandikudi for forth time, the landscape becomes familiar to me but still hold breath with the transformation happening through the mist wrapping the peaks and mountains. First time experienced mist outside the woodhouse and at night the effect seems fabulous in the presence of night lamps, illuminates the cottage around. Since it was the beginning of Orange season, I could see the orange trees in the vicinity thrives in green and yellow. The Serene Woods is facilitate with the facilities of a home, including free Wi-Fi, television and power generators to make feel comfort and connected! But overall I enjoyed the natural environment and being together with dear ones.

A group photo before leaving the  Serene Woods

P.s. If  you are in facebook do check the page i created (here) promoting the woodhouse/cottage

At Rajesh’s (Destination Infinity) wedding party

I know I am not regular at blogging these days and there isn’t a specific reason rather that a mild disturbance with health and mind-set but overall the hot and humid weather keeps me away from any activity and make me feel tired through the dry weather. Though the intense summer month has passed down, the radiation of heat continues to battle our part of the country and the late beginning of southwest monsoon doesn’t seems to help much rather downpour in southern districts. But when things were right on track; the cold began its activity and annoyed for some time until couple of days back make me uncertain could I able to attend the wedding party of my friend and fellow blogger Rajesh of DestinationInfinity.

Glad I felt better on Sunday and I reminded my parents and brother about the get-together two days earlier so that they could prepare for the evening. It wasn’t difficult for us reaching his place and being Sunday there was very less traffic on the road and as I learned he stays at ground floor house I was certain not to miss the chance greeting him in person. I was thinking about getting some gift for the newly wed, but I couldn’t conclude with an idea and my search on internet also didn’t give hand and there isn’t time to place an order in online too. So decided to present a chocolate box, as I thought it would be a safest way since no one would dislike chocolates and it only gives pleasure whoever let it be when the creamy layer melts inside can’t resist relish. Lol

Though he lives at ground floor, unfortunately I couldn’t enter his home due to couple of steps at their doorstep, but it wasn’t a matter to me because I am there to greet and share his happiness while he enters a beautiful phase of his life. Rajesh looked very smart and tucked in shirt and his wife Ramya in traditional attire (or perhaps their wedding suit) was beautiful and smiley. I was comfort with their porch and they treated us with juice as soon we enter and a light meal followed later. I didn’t expect him to arrange for an early dinner (about 6pm) at an unusual time, but we couldn’t say anything when the food container was already at hold. Many talk but very few act according to what they say or think and Rajesh is one of its kind and I know he’s health conscious and try anything which is healthy.

And why I am saying this is because what he organized for the dinner was Vegan food. I know he’s interested in vegan style and have attended events relevant to vegan and what he consumes have also transformed into millets. So no wonder he tied the difference and it also worked well. I really liked the items served in the container but the only thing was I couldn’t eat everything. The curd rice made with peanut milk, instead of dairy, tasted very good and wasn’t much different from the regular. And also the jiggery pongal was sweet enough along the main dish pulao, and it also contains chapatti kurma and couple of side dishes. We have been the first guest at the get-together but we couldn’t stay long to see many of them.

But glad I could meet another blogger friend Sandhya, known by many as Maradhi Manni, before we decide to move. Though I couldn’t talk with her rather greeting either, it was good enough at least happen to see the person behind the blog. Back to Rajesh, he’s one of my long-time friends in blogging and we have met couple of times at my home and I really like his cheerful and smiling attitude. And I am sure it’s going to be double, perhaps, joining with his wife who too has a smiling face and sure to be kind enough going to sustain their happiness and smiles throughout their lives. Wishing both a very happy, bright and beautiful married life! Congrats DI 

A brief note on my travel to Kodai

I would like to say it was a great escape from the scorching heat of Chennai (but the weather is pleasant now due to summer rain) for less than a week... but it was quite terrific until reaching the foothills of Kodaikanal and way back to home. Yes, I had a fabulous vacation come travel last week to the princess of hills, Kodakanal. The destination isn’t new for me and I love being there and times no matter, but this time it was really different, wonderful and exciting only because of the things done, routes traveled and the place of stay. Every time I visit Kodai I try to explore something new and make sure leisurely the drive. As planned we headed to Kodaikanal first through the Palani Ghat section which I really wanted to do for very long time. I have been more than 6 times to Kodai and first time I got to explore this route and I really need to say it is very natural and scenic than the prime route (via Batlagundu) to Kodaikanal.

Things were fine until reaching Kodai, but we couldn’t stay over there due to some unsuitable lodging. We have a friend there who used to book cottages for us every time and this time he slightly went ahead with sloped terrain which supposed  to be very difficult  and the couple of cottages we checked hold great views but where tilted either up or down.  So with no other option and time to search (as it was about 8pm) we decided to move to Thandikudi to stay at my uncle’s newly built woodhouse come cottage. We actually planned to stay at woodhouse but I wanted to explore an interior area, which could be easily accessible from Kodai so I liked staying there for couple of days before move to Thandikudi. It was 10pm when we reached the woodhouse and past Kodai it started to shower heavily and all the bags tied to the car top were drenched.

Winding wet ghat road

The next day turned out to be the most exciting part of my vacation, an off-road ride in Jeep to a waterfall near Thandikudi. It was indeed an unexpected ride and I didn’t believe I could seat inside a Jeep but it all happened only because of my brother. It is a complete off-road ride I ever had and we crossed a small river and had fun all together. The other day I took a long drive on the mountains leading all the way to Kilavarai, the last public accessible destination in Kodaikanal hills, where the famous Escape Road (a trail road that connect Kodai-Munnar) begins. It was entirely a very scenic pass, with rolling grasslands and terrace framing taking place on either side, the cold breeze continue to caress from the tall pine and eucalyptus trees. It took my entire day taking plenty of photos including birds and wild flowers.

Had a exciting jeep ride - inside me

Uncle’s woodhouse (in Thandikudi) is a very pleasant abode for nature lovers and it has a wonderful balcony to bird watch at the backyard. Though the woodhouse is built close to the road, it sense amazing to listen to birds chirping from all sides and felt serene almost to name as Serene Woods. My recommend to Thandikudi would be mainly for bird watching and the pristine natural environment exits among the coffee, pepper and orange plantations aside canopy of tall trees of different species. Staying there, I also visited Parappalaru Dam. About 45 km from there, the travel to the dam was through vast coffee plantations, beautiful villages and forest region with a pristine lake among the dense. By this travel I covered almost nooks of the Kodaikanal Hills but still feel there’s more to experience and explore at leisure. Hope to share more my experience in future/further post. 

My uncle's woodhouse

A visit to Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary

I visited the Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, about 80km from Chennai, on Friday. And this was the first outing with my grandmother after grandfather passed away in December. I have been to Vedanthangal more than couple of times but only this time I find (or went on seeing) a huge arrival of birds, and most of them were Painted Stork and Little Cormorants followed by moderate numbers of Grey pelican, Back-headed ibis, Little and Great egrets and Spoonbill.

A scenic  view across the bird sanctuary,  shot by my brother from the  watch tower

Vedanthangal is the oldest lake bird sanctuary in the country and the steps to develop it into a bird sanctuary has started as early as 1798 when the British government realized the ornithological importance of the region. The small lakes dotted this area acts as feeding grounds for the birds, so it was attracted by variety of birds. Vedanthangal, meaning hamlet of the hunter, got its name from the act of hunting of birds by the local landlord in the early 18^th century.

Painted Storks on a withered bamboo shrub

Though the Vedanthangal Lake was declared as bird sanctuary in 1972, it has a unique history where the local populace provide protection to the sanctuary for centuries. The locals realized that the birds dropping falling into the lake create an effect (liquid guano), and when the water is used to irrigate crop fields it yield greatly and saves the fertilizers cost.  And due this the locals protect the sanctuary and thus it attracts around 40,000 birds every season, with an area of only 30 ha.

Proving that, the other side of the lake (pic above) was flourished in a golden/green meadow of paddy field! While being fascinated by the birds that decorate the number of trees stood inside the lake, the vast paddy fields on the opposite confront its scenic beauty upon growing sunset was stunning. The paddy fields with little/great egrets foraging is always a beautiful sight and one could not miss such views during a visit to Vedanthangal.

Painted storks, juveniles, standing on their nests

We had been to Vedanthangal in the evening unlike my previous visits in afternoon; I was amazed at the number of birds. But when the evening started to immerse, as sun continue to keep down its effect, many flock of birds resume to the lake after foraging in surrounding lakes. When we arrived the noise of birds weren’t louder unlike it gets darker and it seems it’s the nesting season for Painted Storks, as we saw many juvenile birds of same standing all-over the nests.

A  group of spot-billed pelicans, little cormorants and  egrets occupies the trees

Birds migrate to Vedanthangal mostly in winter season (between October-March), but this time due to the torrential rains in December there’s enough water in the lake for the birds to extend their stay. Right now, it is estimated to be about 15,000 birds at the sanctuary. Apart the plenty of painted storks, little cormorants and grey pelicans, I tried to observe variety of birds but was amused to find spoonbills, openbills, a grebes and night heron, only at home when checking the photos!

The watch tower that used to have a telescope, but it seems to be miss this time. The neat pavement along  the lake.

Although we brought a binocular, it was little painful to watch through the pair of lenses but I loved the close view somehow. Vedanthangal has a pretty neat and flat pavement along the lake bank allowed me covering the entire stretch in my wheelchair. There are couple of watch towers and view points along the footpath to observe birds and I find more interesting shooting birds this time.  At the end of day, we were left with a magnificent sunset with flock of birds flew in foreground.

I took number of photos and it’s impossible to post all at a time… so decided to make many posts out of it and more details on birds. 

Linking this post with SATURDAY CRITTERS

A walk back in memory and demise of my friend’s father!

One of my childhood friends father passed away on Friday and he’s not only my friend’s father but a long time neighbor and family friends whose relationship were grown from my grandparents generation. Karthi and Vela are our (me and bro) best childhood friends and our friendship lasted for very long time but only Karthi was in touch with me and even after we shifted our home a decade back we used to enquire every time meeting either. But after shifted back to the neighborhood (close to our native house here) a year back, I happen to meet him often while coming around the neighborhood in the wheelchair by evenings, and I also meet his father while crossing his home where he used to be reading newspaper sitting outside his home. I can’t believe he’s no more! Even few days before his death, he inquired me on walk – what they refer me to be out in wheelchair and he showed no sign of demise. A severe cardiac arrest, all of sudden, ceased his breath.

To describe our relationship, I need to go back to the childhood days and back from school most of our evenings were spent at their home front (which was at our backstreet), playing with our best friends – Karthi and Vela. During those times he used to come back from work, pedalling his bicycle but we continue engage with the play and I showed little or no attention towards him unlike his bike. He was working in a private company and his only mode of commute to work was in bicycle, the traditional one aka utility bicycle. A classmate of my uncle (dad’s brother), he’s a very family man and irrelevant to anything outside his family and showed great care for his children and though economically backward he was more concern about their studies and health. For any ailment he would take them to the ESI (Employees’ State Insurance) hospital, which is a self-financing social security and health insurance scheme for Indian workers with less income. Placing one in front and back, he used to pedal them to the hospital. The way he fed his son with cough syrup is still vivid in my memories J

His elder son and my friend Vela is a very intelligent student and so bright in studies. I have seen him even correcting his classmates’ exam notes that were given to him by their school teacher and he was such genuine in his assignment showing no favor to anyone even if they are his close friends. Being family friends, his father treated us no different and we even had fun playing at their bed room, jumping here and there and he never scold us anyone. One time, he took me to beach along with his sons in the bicycle; putting his younger one in the baby seat in front; me and Vela shared the rear carrier. We had fun playing at the beach sand and the duo went against the waves to take bath in sea and a scare being, I decided to stay back in shore taking care of their things while they enjoy the waves. Anytime he sees me, he never fails to enquire and also tease me sometime with nothing ill inside. Moreover, I ever seen him serious and an easy going personality really makes me wonder what cause him heart attack. I know a person’s attitude doesn’t expose on his health but ignorance plays an important role and being unaware of the causes and symptoms of heart attack pull us into trouble that leads to nothing but death.

I know he has experienced mild stroke in past that forced him to drop his security job, after the company he worked was shut down or he left the job. The only complaint or disappoint I hold for him was that he stayed away from his mother due to some personal regrets related to their transformation from thatched house to a concrete floor. I have watched through their building home and destruction of the former, but my connectivity with the friends (Karthi and Vela) and visit to their house has diminished slowly as my mobility become restricted, the diversion in lifestyle brought each ends loose and tied somewhere. But shifting back to the native neighborhood makes me feel of reconnecting and creates chances to keep in touch… but I didn’t expect this disconnection from him quite. I really forget to say about his wife, who has been a great support to their family not only by love and affection and caring but also economically she aided by grinding flours to others who can’t do themselves at their  home.  Hope his family and my friends gather strength to bear his lose.  

Happy New Year

Greetings for a bright and beautiful year to dawn, and let there be peace and happiness, hope and vigor to sustain our growth and cheerful warmth was spread through the thought of sharing.

The picture above was captured during the morning hours (in March) when the sun rise above a mountain and peek through the branches and leaves of a tree, at Cloud Mountain – my favorite part of Western Ghats. It make feel of waving a good bye, as well warm smile as we leave the pristine mountain landscape.

My Deepavali Celebration and Rain

This year’s Deepavali was somehow fun despite the northeast monsoon rain rocked the Chennai, as well the entire state. I think the rain is very important, which let us survive throughout the year rather the one day celebration Deepavali! Fireworks can be ignited on any other day or skip to Karthigai Deepam, if rain permits, but when drought stroke the heart of the state – Chennai – the real celebration was receiving rain. Though everyone was happy about the rainfall, thanks to deep depression in Bay of Bengal, the storm that landfall near Cuddalore suffered a lot on the day ahead to Deepavali and still fighting to come out of the flooded water. The Chennai experience showering throughout the day, though not heaver, the festival of light was burnt and bound little for the day.

Sparkling Ground Chakra on wet floor

I bought some fireworks for Deepavali through online shopping. Glad the leading firework manufactures open there own site for purchasing, with a demonstration video on each firework on how it displays. I was certain not to get any crackers that make noise, as I myself could not withstand the loudness these days; I went for the fancy fireworks that make colorful the night sky (though it make noise up into the sky, the effect perhaps is less and unavoidable) aside sparkles, ground chakra and flower pots. Every year I used to go out into the neighborhood (on the day and ahead to Deepavali) to catch up the festival mood and looking out into the sky for fireworks displayed by the area people, but  this time I couldn’t make up such moves, as rain continue to shower uncertainly when will it stop and begin. I stayed indoors all the day and to and fro to Deepavali, watching the pretty bore programs on TV and looking at the rain whether it stop for an hour to light fireworks.  

By afternoon the rain decides to hold sometime, and thus I went to my uncle’s house in the adjacent street and had some fun joining/watching my cousin and his friends playing with crackers. Though I hated the noise come from the crackers, I enjoyed the moment being there and it remind me the days I celebrated Deepavali with those crackers (Lakshmi, Sparrow, Red bijli cracker...) and daring to hold it in hand and throw away once ignite. I managed to stay there sometime and chatting with them but the time came in droplets of rain rushed me to home before it started to pour. In the evening my cousin and his friend come to home to help me leaving the aerial fireworks and I really enjoyed our own display of fireworks. As I was feeling uneasy that evening, I couldn’t capture photos on the display of fireworks, so got couple of photos on ground chakra that we let last night. 

A festival that enthuse me

While nearing Deepavali (Nov 10), the enthusiasm about the Festival of Lights ignites inside. When it comes to Deepavali, the thing that comes to mind first was fireworks.  Though fireworks aren’t the only thing or matter of celebration, apart sharing sweets and snacks and greeting each other for the well being and lighting lamps to drive away the darkness that not only surrounds the environment but also the wicked mentality. Fireworks has been the main intention and attraction for me from the childhood and I couldn’t image a Deepavali without fireworks and the noise of crackers, and I think there will be a feel of something missed if there isn’t crackling sound of crackers and colourful display of fireworks at night.

I sense the eagerness of celebrating the festival of light (also the other kind of festivals) has been coming down by each passing year and the gadgets keeps people away from any part of activities.  Whether I ignite crackers are not, going through the festive feel is something I cherish within myself, as I could not force anybody to share my season’s joy, I try to enhance the festival mood in whatever possible way I could and going out in the evening of and a day early to Deepavali is a part of my celebration to get a glance on things happening around my neighbourhood related to the festival. The only Deepavali I couldn’t take part in firework, though I could not ignite anything other than sparkles, it was the year 2013 and because of my fracture I couldn’t even come out of home.

When we were residing in the apartment, we had wonderful opportunity to share the festival feel with our neighbours by exchanging sweets and snacks and it was good to see kids come together to fire fireworks in colourful attires.  Being shifted to couple of houses in last two year, we miss the sharing opportunity and before we become familiar with neighbours the time to move out comes earlier. Though we moved back to our native area now, the feeling wasn’t quite familiar and strangers to many, this if first Deepavali we suppose to celebrate here after 10 years. Among the festivals, I find Deepavali as more social and apart various belief and faith people celebrate it with great happiness and when lighting crackers over life somehow gleam colorful.

P.S. For those who don’t know about Deepavali, also called as Diwali, is an ancient Hindu festival celebrated every year and it is one of the largest and brightest festivals in India that signifies the victory of good over evil. 

My Bicycle Diary (Part II)

Part I here

There’s nothing like pedaling the bicycle as fast as I can, though my maximum speed is almost below normal there’s a feel of achieving something that when exists from my own strength and energy is unequal to anything. I think not only cycling, but anything that has a personal touch and contribution from same is always special.  Even though we have or get assistance from others on any job/work but when it comes to things we are passionate or close to be, doing it on self is something satisfactory that no one could repudiate.  Sometime I feel lack of power to pedal the cycle and those times what help me (to move ahead) were the ramps built in front of many houses and my uncle having his own workshop with ramp in front of it to make way cars enter the garage. I used to bring the cycle above the ramp and pedal fast along with the force to cover certain distance and repeat it from some others ramps.

Cycling is one of the best parts of my active life then and the only vehicle I drove on my own using my ability. I got great control over the handlebar by propelling the cycle helped me to drive Scooty (a sort of Scooter), but rather independently I ride it with the help of my dad who used to support from pillion when the bike need to halt, as I can’t balance its weight on foot. But those are a decade and a half old story. I have drove bicycle for more than 6 years but I wasn’t powerful unlike when I started to pedal bicycle and as I lose power subsequently and walking becomes difficult I quit cycling. The memories of cycling are always evergreen, although I couldn’t remember all of it, certain incidents and phases continue to exist. Thanks to Aarumugam (six face) and if he hadn’t spent time teaching us cycling we couldn’t have got the opportunity to learn quickly since every other was busy with their lives.

Not that riding cycle alone is fun but also going for a ride with your friend or favourite person who could pedal fast. I don’t remember my father or mother following our cycle journeys; it was the employs of the workshop run by the uncle whom we interact mostly and it was a time I was drop out of school for a year and I used to spent all the time with them and it was Arul (a young employ at workshop) used to take me for speed rides in cycle which I find so thrilling. Sitting sideways on the centre bar and holding the handlebar it was fun to kick start a ride and it is a way I used to go around with my neighbourhood friend who has enough ability to pedal me along. Many a time there used to be clash between me and my brother over driving cycle and sometime I along with the friend put him wander (street-by-street) by driving fast and let them chase away. But many a time he has been supportive to me and pushed the cycle for me to drive fast.

I have also drove hire cycles few times and though I had a wish to try different cycles and when my brother refuses to give me a change I took for this. I remember I liked and feel easy to drive the Anjali cycle (a bicycle which was famous then following the Tamil flick Anjali); it has a long and narrow seat with back support and could accommodate 2 kids at a time. The hire fee used to be Rs.1 per hour but I leave the cycle before the time, even though the shop keeper doesn’t seem to be accurate I fear what he may say. When we shifted to our grandpa’s house for a year, while we reconstruction our home, and being close to my school I got to cycle along with my classmate for some time and the street of our grandpa’s used to be crowded so we mostly end up lifting the cycle to terrace to make little rounds. It used to be a large terrace with all sides wall; it feels safe to ride on. 

The bicycle we used has been a worth product (BSA Champ) and worked for long years, which has been used by our other two cousin when my brother brought another for him. My first bicycle ride (not pedalling) I remember was with my father. He took me to home from grandpa’s making me stand on the bar holding his shoulder in one arm. I really hate sitting on the bar as it make feel discomfort, I always wish for a baby seat (a small seat on the bar connecting handlebar and seat) which has been in my friend’s father cycle. The days that are close to my heart and final rides of me on a bicycle were with my grandpa. Sometime if no one comes to pick me from school, which is near his home, he would come in his bicycle and put me seated on the carrier and the school bag in the handlebar he make a great balance despite his difficulty in climbing and pedalling. I would cherish those moments forever and it bothers me much when I see him fighting with Parkinson latterly.

End

My Bicycle Diary (Part I)

I think not many would have led a life without pedaling a bicycle at least in their childhood and it is a dream for every child to get a bicycle when they see other kids enjoy riding their own. I’m no more exception! I got my first (and last) bicycle when I was 8 or 9 years old and although I have a dream for bicycle it was my doctor (whom we consulted for my disorder and it was the time of discovery that I was affected by Muscular Dystrophy) encouraged my parents to get me a bicycle as a part of my exercise. Knowing this, my maternal uncle decides to get us (me and brother) a cycle but it took some time for him and the waiting period was something put us on eager and dream a lot about cycling.

My uncle is a car mechanic and had his workshop adjacent to our home and stepping out is indeed into his workshop. After the school we used to spent time in the workshop, apart playing with friends at backstreet and during this time we frequent to cross his sight as a kind of reminding him about the cycle. We had no idea about the cycle, what brand or kind to buy and it is he chooses the right one for us. It was a cycle belongs to the middle category which can either ride by children as well adults if seat was lifted to their comfort height.  I think he should have bought the cycle with a perception to ride for long period as we are in growing age then. I still remember the evening he took one of his employ in pillion to buy the cycle so that he can let him pedal to home while he returns in his bike.

He bought the cycle for about Rs. 1500. Those days I don’t know the value of money and that price seems to be a huge sum for me and from the size of the bag (a kind of backpack) I thought he should have bundles of currency inside.  I have no idea still why he took that bag along with him when the amount could easily slip into his purse.  Mom did some puja to the bicycle, which is a custom here to be carried with any newly bought things and it is a belief that by doing such prayer the thing will last long and work good. The next day been a weekend and Saturday, we catch up with the cycle early in the morning and one of my uncle’s workshop employ, Aarumugam, taught us how to ride the cycle. And that was the first time I try to pedal a cycle and within an hour I rode it individual.

Our area in Adyar is somehow quiet except the office and school time, learning cycle is easy enough and he (Aarumugam) continue to accompany us through our initial days of leaning and used to hold back the bicycle wherever we go. Though I started to ride the cycle without a support in an hour time, I don’t know how to land and also need someone to hold the bicycle to climb on. At one point he left the cycle and stayed behind or I rode leaving him and I don’t know how to land but that moment (with a turn ahead) I went close to a pile of sand (that unloaded on the roadside for a building construct) and fall/slide over it slowly along with the cycle so I don’t get hurt. And I followed this idea for some time until there was a sand pile.

I used to drive bicycle too slowly as I lack strength to put it fast and I do drive alone rarely, as I don’t want to risk falling somewhere. So mostly my brother used to accompany me, at least he follows me not to miss his round. Every evening we used to go for a round in cycle, apart getting conflict between the numbers of rounds, I mostly give away as I could not pedal for long.  Sometime my brother used to help me pedal fast by placing his foot on mine, while sharing the seat with me, give his force upon mine. When driving like this one evening, we unexpectedly fall down and my front tooth uprooted fully. It was an unforgettable incident happen with my cycling experience which identity is left in my tooth still.

I came home with a bleeding mouth bearing the tooth in one hand. My mom was in quite shock and took me immediately to the dental clinic at the street end, but we had to wait some time until the dentist arrives half an hour later. We don’t know how to handle the uprooted tooth, so folded it in a paper and brought to the dentist. I just remember how we used to bury the milk tooth in mud when it falls; according to our elders instruction and belief that showing it away the tooth will not grow. Perhaps because of that my mom would have folded in papers, but the dentist on arrival reveals that it should have dropped in milk or water to perhaps to keep alive the roots. The dentist fixed the tooth at its place and tied it along with the other tooth using a wire and was left to set on its own. I wasn’t sure getting back my tooth, but glad it decided to grip hold the gums.

Continue...

(I think the post could extend to another length or I could write more on this front... so will write in two parts and the other will follow soon or perhaps be next) 

A decade completed in blog

The blog has been a part of my life for last 10 years transformed me a lot and changed my perception on almost everything from the time I started blogging. Although I don’t know what blog means when I started, it gave a new meaning to my life and keeps me constantly progressive. I don’t have friends once out of school and it’s the blog that gave me the wonderful opportunity and space for sharing and having friendship with other bloggers. In the long run I have met various (interesting and inspiring) people in blogging, though not all are constant with blogging I am still in touch with many through Facebook and only Ashok (who started at the same time) continues to blog.

Streptosolen Jamesonii 

My attitude towards blog hasn’t been the same throughout, except sharing as an essence forever; but at every phase there’s something to learn about and improve myself expose to various blog contents. In the beginning my blog posts have been mostly about sharing information and social related but only in later years I started to write more about myself and things relevant to same and travelogues on places I visit. The blog also taught me how to appreciate (as we comment) and I gain lot of experience through reading blogs that inspire me to explore my writing skill. There was a time blogging has been great fun (not that it wasn’t fun anymore) and communication between bloggers has been intense as we most of them was closely related by land and language, the exchange of thoughts and discussion has been much.

I also happen to meet many blog friends personally which were all great memories that I could cherish and there were few friends that I was meeting more than once and sometime exchange words in phone. Blogging has been a thing up to now which I can’t imagine stopping and sharing about and it is my daily boost of life that keeps me ahead rather being just. Thank you all for your valuable comments and time took to share. And if not your comments, my blogging life could have ceased long back and it is the thought that I too have people to regard, connect and care about my existence. 10 years had passed but my enthusiasm about blog has been only elevating and there’s a happy feeling at the end of every post (that I was sharing) seems ever turn down. 

P.S. Streptosolen Jamesonii is an evergreen shrub of the Solanaceae family (that I found in Kodaikanal) produces loose clusters of flowers gradually changing from yellow to red as they develop, resulting in an overall appearance resembling orange marmalade. 

A brief on my early vacation come travel to Thandikudi and Cloud Mountain!

Usually we go for vacation in midsummer to keep ourselves away from hot weather and chill sometime in pretty cool mountains/hill stations while visiting places in and around the destination. Although I have visited almost hill stations/mountains within the state of Tamil Nadu, I still believe there is a lot to be explored and experienced. Each time I plan to visit mountains or any other place, I look forward to go beyond tourism and take roads that less traveled and places explored at least.  This time too, though, went to the places that I have been already, I tried to explore things that missed last time and observing more the nature and environment and experience things leisurely.

After a gap of two years, I visited the mountains of Kodaikanal and stayed at Thandikudi followed by Cloud Mountain’s – which are a part of Western Ghats, from March 20-25. I was looking forward for a break/change from regular life since it’s been nearly a year I had vacation (in Ooty-Valparai) or traveled long, I decided to be earlier mainly to prevent the season’s crowd and easy accommodation at less fare/tariff. Being a month ahead to midsummer, it’s already terrific hot here and as we began the journey the sun was almost up in the sky shimmering bright, which is one of unusual with this travel as we always begin our journey early morning so that could easily get out of the city before it get congested and lesser heat.

One of the cottage we stayed at Thandikudi

Our drive from home till the foothill of Thandikudi/Kodaikanal was under scorching sun, which we felt heavily on the national highways in lack of trees and the A/C in the car also went frozen to block the blowers. The heat was able to make feel even driving upon the mountains and being unseasoned to rain there wasn't a piece of cloud to hold umbrella. The coldness on the mountains was also not so high and bearable with plain blankets at night and only in the morning the chillness is felt. We had booked rooms in the Panchayat Union’s Narumana Kudil (fragrant hut/cottage), which we early stayed and it is one of the very few accommodates available at Thandikudi apart couple of high fee resorts.

And it is a wonderful place to stay and watch birds alongside. But this time it wasn't fair enough to allow me to wander its premises, encompassed by coffee plantations and canopy of trees, because of lack of maintenance and unclean of fallen leaves gives a strange look across to move around. Moreover I didn't get the room I was looking for, which would ease my access through wheelchair so that I could come in and out of the room without much difficult. While booking in, itself we stressed for that particular room but those communicated hadn't conveyed it clearly to the management who had rented the room to some other. So I had to be transferred to a chair before getting in and out of the room to overcome a huge step and then back to wheelchair/car to move around.

The beauty of Kodaikanal Lake, illuminates in eventide sunlight

I expected to spent much time outside the room looking for birds i.e. it is a bird paradise in itself with many distinct bird species, even though I listen to their chirrups in various tones, I find only few birds with capable to shoot while others were tiny ones which treats me with sweet tweets.  We stayed there for three nights and two days, which was spent mostly on drive and discovering new places/routes that I wanted to do for some time – will write more about it in detail later. I hope my future visits/stay at Thandikudi would be fine due to my uncle’s (mom’s sister husband) construction of guesthouse there, beside the coffee and orange plantations he bought two years back.

During my stay, I visited Kodaikanal only for a brief moment and took a leisure ride around the lake while capturing some photos and having a cup of coffee, we head back to room by late evening after purchasing some homemade chocolates. We haven’t planned to visit Kodaikanal that day as we are intended to stay there later; it was our car that forced us to check the princess of hills as it refused to start suddenly we are either to go to Vathalagundu (at the foothill) or Kodaikanal to rectify, we chose Kodai so that we don’t need to get down the hills. While the day went like that and the other spent on exploring some Ghats sections, the real excitement of the entire vacation was the chance to visit Cloud Mountain aka Megamalai!

The place where we stayed in backdrop of Highwavys dam at Cloud Mountain

I have been to this part of Western Ghats Mountains in 2009, but I haven’t done a post or write a piece on the pristine mountains that guard the Cumbum Valley from the east. It is one of the few places where nature exists at its best/pristine stage and human intervention is at least. I avoided writing about this place and posting pictures then to do a bit on preserving and preventing exposure as I never want it to be seen as another spoiled hill station. I think it is a place not for tourist activities but to admire and experience nature. At about 1500 meter, the cloud mountain is dedicated to tea plantations and it comes under the High Wavy Township which is one among the three major tea estates who leased the land for 99 years.

Getting there is not an easy task and one really needs a high ground clearance vehicle to venture the road that almost an off-road journey. One can drive up to High Wavy (there is also bus service) somehow, but trying to go beyond is painful. We haven’t planned to visit Cloud Mountain but it came as an offer from my cousin brother, whom we sought for booking rooms in Kodaikanal, and upon our willingness he booked rooms for us in the High Ways IB (inspection bungalow). I was telling to my dad, very lately, that we should go to Cloud Mountain once again, a place I visited as a day travel in 2009, I couldn't say no when someone offered such an opportunity. I was quite delighted to spend two days stood between dense forest, tea gardens and dams/lake in front and rear.

More for later... 

Birthday to Maya – 7 years old

March 8 marks the birth anniversary of our pet dog, Maya, although she was 20 days old when she arrived home, we decided to count from the day she become a part of our lives. Against all our wishes my brother brought the cute little pup to home, which looked like a white cotton candy with three pretty black dots as eyes and nose! Not that we don’t like dogs (we have adopted few stray dogs in past), but our situation was not comfort then to support any other as we are already experience difficult with life and need of someone to assist, the pet dog only seems to be burden.

Now 7 years have passed and we don’t see her as a troublesome anymore as we adapted to her quite heartfelt and understood that it’s impossible to keep her away from us, all our future plans weren't without her. Our pet was so precious when showcasing love, protection and companionship and at same time annoys when she feels strange or found her enemies like cat, lizards, and any big insects and for last one year the monkeys. She’s always fond with certain people and like who are humble towards here but there are few, how many times she see/spent don’t mingle and make a point to stay away.  

My brother was mentioned about her birthday for last two days and came up with an idea of cutting cake on her behalf celebration. He used to remind us ever year about her birthday and it used to pass before we plan anything. This time he was serious doing something and ordered my favorite black forest (of course I am not the only one like this flavor) and it came along her nick name, that we dearly called, Maya Kutty – which refer to anything little in Tamil. No one was invited except my sister (cousin) who stays a street away and it was mom cut the cake and the first piece went to the birthday girl J

Here I share some photos from the little eve: 

Maya's yummy birthday cake

As she love cakes, was curious sitting around the table to get me capture both... 

Ready to blow

Enjoining her share from mom

o

Our Pongal

The last we celebrated Pongal in our traditional way i.e. cooking in firewood stove, was five years back, on the terrace of our native home in Adyar. Surrounded by close family members, we settled for a firewood stove, enclosed in bricks, and placing a new mud pot atop and calling Pongalo Pongal as the Pongal (boiled rice/milk) overflows the pot, it was quite delight as we ever so directly celebrated the festival under sunlight. Pongal is a festival celebrated esp. to thanksgiving the sun for it’s entice source of energy and other natural elements for helping farmers in good harvesting. Not only farmers, Pongal is believed to bring auspicious to everyone, the way Pongal boils over the pot.

Mom's Pongal Kolam, - in front of the gateway

Shifted to an individual house in 2013, I planned to celebrate the festival in more traditional flavor, bringing my dear ones into another cheerful enclosure of firewood, mud pot and sugarcanes. But nothing worked out and I couldn't make anything as I wished, as I myself suffered with the fracture in my femur. This year, still living in an individual house with enough space to make firewood stove, we went ahead to celebrate the festival, in our personal interest, as it was not possible to recreate a then moment.  I think personally, Pongal is a social festival and it should be celebrated by all together. Not only Pongal, but I think every festival is celebrated to bring togetherness and sharing.

Follows our Pongal Pot: 

 

 

New Year Greeting

I received a handwritten season greeting from my friend Chandra (of greencomotion.blogspot) along with his lovely photograph on the foggy ambiance of Chattahoochee River from US.

Following my post on Red Letter Box and my interest towards the same as well receiving letters/mail, Chandra expressed his desire to send me a card for which I felt quite pleased.  Today I received his greeting card thought a postman after long back, that I have no memory, leaving the card on the windowsills. I am glad totally! Thank you my friend

Wishing all my friends here a Very Happy and Prosperous New Year. Take care and enjoy yearlong :) 

Christmas Decor @ Home

Following the star, which I started to practice from long time now.... (but the star is not same)

I began to decorate tree for last few years 

Now continues with led light arrangement at least

I plan to add more ornaments to my Christmas tree in years to come

Jingle bell 

Decor ball

Christmas Haiku

Winter cold wraps me
while I dream snow home alone
deck my Christmas tree

There’s festive in air
bells ring loud to motion wind
stars shine unco bright.

Written for Christmas Special of Poetic Forms: Haiku (Week 7, A Repost of week 4)
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PS. The picture above show you one of my neighbors Christmas Tree (inside a construction office) and mine is under decor. Will post them soon