RGB Monday

 Colorful kolams from the neighborhood that was drawn for Pongal.

These are kolams drawn by my childhood friend Karthi's wife! She is a talented woman who does well in the arts. I have shared her Pongal kolams already here in 2021. Last year she didn't draw anything, and when I think about why I remember that she was pregnant then and now a mother of a 7- or 8-month-old cute baby girl. I met the baby a couple of times when I went for an evening walk on Sundays; the baby was so delicate and small compared with other kids her age to bear at hand.

During the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, she makes the Ganesh idol out of clay with her own hands.

RGB Monday

 Colorful Pongal kolams from the neighborhood

As usual, I went for a walk in the neighborhood on the evening of Pongal to hunt for kolams and captured only a few that were drawn in front of the house in the area.

Pongal 2023 with Nephews

The Pongal festival weekend went well; however, we couldn't celebrate it in our traditional way of cooking Pongal on a firewood stove. Though mom cooked sweet Pongal in an earthen pot on the gas stove, the taste was not as expected. 

A couple of years ago, we celebrated the Pongal in the traditional style of cooking Pongal, outside the home, on the balcony, or courtyard of the former house on the ground floor, which gives a sense of appreciation for nature that provides us with life. As of now, the festival passes without leaving any special feeling; perhaps we are shifting gears to perceive it as another day.

Unlike earlier, there weren't any programs on television that were interesting or watchable. All television channels rely on serial artists to create all programs, which can only be enjoyed by viewers who follow their serials; fortunately, no one at home watches serials, so I don't have to deal with these tortures. Thankfully, OTTs and YouTube were available for entertainment; I have subscribed to several YouTube channels, but the reality is that I don't have the time to watch them all, and they are either endless or unending. 

In my perspective, the best part of this year's Pongal festival was my nephews. Jeswanth and Kavin, the sons of my cousin's sister and my younger brother, with a nearly six-month difference in age, are doing their sums (troublesome) well. If they both came together, they would turn the house upside down, but at the same time, they would both show their tenderness and innocence, making our time together pleasurable and memorable. 

Kavin

Jeswanth

My cousin's sister is caring for her maternally ill grandma, who is in the hospital, and she has left her child with her parents, who are my uncle and aunt and reside next door. You don't need further details for him to enter our home once their door is open. For Pongal, we dressed the kids in traditional dothi and shirt outfits, which made them much adorable, and they each came up with a prayer bell to ring while worshipping the sun. 

If you forgot, Pongal is our harvest festival and thanksgiving day to all that nature and farmers have given us to survive, and the sun is worshipped on this day as the most important of all-natural elements. I understand that the kids have no clue about this or any other topic till they reach a certain age, but teaching them when they are young to be humble and rational about things will undoubtedly help them sustain and advance in the future. The images of my nephews in this post are from Pongal, and I hope you enjoy them.

RGB Monday

Colorful Kolams

The above one is from the New Year, and what follows is our Pongal kolam.

And both the simple kolams were drawn by my aunt.

For the past two years, mom has been unable to draw kolam with my aunt over the festive season due to leg problems. My aunt is also facing some health problems lately, unable to draw large kolams on her own, and has resorted to simple colored kolams. This time, for the Pongal, mom was exhausted because of excess house cleaning, and she was so tired that she doubted whether she could carry out the event the next day or not. But I'm glad she woke up normally for Pongal, and the rest of the day went well. 

Pongal Weekend

To put it another way, the long weekend is arriving. Pongal, the harvest and thanksgiving festival of Tamil Nadu and Tamils worldwide, falls on the weekend, with the first day as Bhogi; Pongal, Mattu Pongal, Kaanum Pongal, and Ulavar Thirunaal to follow, and is a significant festival time in Tamil Nadu. 

Each day has its significant reason to celebrate. Bhogi was observed on the concept of "the old goes away, and the new comes in," which means getting rid of the old and undesired things in our homes and lives and replacing them with the new, or letting out things to breathe fresh. People traditionally light a fire outside their homes on this day and burn undesired items in it, but lately, the practice of burning things has decreased, thanks to public awareness of the environment and pollution and the prohibition on burning tires and plastic items.

Pongal, the important festival of the series, takes place on the second day (Jan. 15), thanking the natural elements and farmers that give us life and progress in them. If nature provides us with the source, it is the farmers, who transform it into our life support, just like our two eyes, which have to work correctly to see a clear picture of life. On this day, people gather in the open to boil milk and rice in an earthen pot and worship the sun as the source of light and energy for everyone's well-being and future.

From the beginning, cattle have always been the only source of support in our farming, and it's a difficult question to answer if they aren't. So there is no farming without the cattle, especially the bulls, whose muscular pull gives rise to our grains; their dung is the best natural supply of fertilizer to yield abundantly. Farming and cattle are inextricably linked, and even though we are technologically advanced and have machines for every job, to coin the phrase, "old is gold," there is still a demand for them for organic farming. And dedicating a day to cattle is both appropriate and necessary to send a message to the world about the significance of cattle, and our relationship with the species is known as Mattu Pongal or Bull Pongal. 

Finally, the Kaanum Pongal arrives, a much-anticipated day for families and friends to get together and have fun. On this day, folks pack a lunch and go on a pleasant and entertaining journey to tourist attractions, beaches, and the banks of rivers and lakes. Farmers and workaholics take time off from their jobs to be with family and friends. So the four-day festival encompasses things that we may be grateful for and cherish all year: the worth of food and its evolution, and thinking and longing for time together. Happy Pongal to everyone!  

Chennai Sangamam is Back

It's good to hear The Chennai Sangamam, a street festival of Tamil Nadu's traditional folk arts held during Pongal, the harvest festival, in Chennai, has returned after an eleven-year absence; the government of Tamil Nadu (headed by Chief Minister MK Stalin) has decided to conduct the festival since the change in government after ten years and a covid period.

(All images are from 2009 festival)

The Chennai Sangamam 2023 begins on January 13th and runs through January 17th, and it was organized by MP Kanimozhi - who was even the festival's organizer at the time - along with Chennai Corporation. Apart from celebrating Pongal in a high mood, the main goal of this festival is to take our classic art, music, and dance to every corner of the city and show it to people who were unfamiliar with it. 

I wished the Chennai Sangamam could have continued despite the change of government since holding the festival is a worthy cause that not only promotes art but also helps village artists, the majority of whom come from impoverished backgrounds. The inaugural Sangamam took place in 2007, but I only saw it in 2009 at Palavakkam Beach Premises in Chennai, and it was a colorful spectacle of stage performances by rural artists. 

I think this should not be limited to Chennai alone but should be extended to other places to educate others about our unique art forms in Tamil Nadu. I am only familiar with a few of Tamil Nadu's many dance and music genres, including Mayilattam (peacock dance), Karakattam (in the worship of the rain goddess), Oyilattam (grace dance), Puliyattam (tiger dance), Poikkaal Kuthirai Aattam (dummy horse dance), and others. 

Karakattam is familiar to most, as they take first place in festivals and cultural programs. Karagam translates as "decorated vessel." As a result, one must perform dance movements in the direction of music while placing the vessel on the head without allowing it to fall. Until that day, I had only seen this style of dancing in movies, and the one that remains with me the most is Karakattakkaran (Karagam dancer), a popular Tamil film. 

I hope that the Chennai Sangamam will continue for the next three years or until a new government is formed in the upcoming elections, while I wish that any government that form has the responsibility to hold festivals to emphasize and protect our ancient traditional art in any form. I am sure it was a colorful event that will brighten up the city as we celebrate the harvest festival, Pongal, and thank nature and farmers for the source of life and food. 

Mandous and Karthigai Deepam

Cyclone Mandous, which has been making headlines for nearly a week, made landfall very close to Chennai last night, with winds reaching up to 72 km hr, but caused only minor damage to a few trees in the vicinity. The rain was also moderate rather than intense. It had been raining on and off in the neighborhood all night, and with all doors and windows closed, the wind noise didn't disturb our sleep, even though it was possibly the coldest night of the year.

My hands and legs felt cold, but it wasn't hard enough to cover up or wear an additional layer over us, and we also turned the fan to low speed. Apart from that, the cyclone had little effect on us, and only my father couldn't go for a walk. The cyclone activity picked up only on Thursday, which was favorable because I had an appointment with my cardiologist on Wednesday that had been postponed for various reasons for the previous three weeks. 

My heart condition had been consistently stable for the last three years. My echo test sounds adequate, and the doctor was pleased with the results. He asked me to return for a checkup after a year rather than the usual six months. I inquired about the throbbing on the left side of my body and difficulty breathing, which he suspected to be anxiety, and told me not to worry. 

On November 6th, we celebrated Karthigai Deepam at home. We can also call it the "festival of lights" of south India or Tamil Nadu, as we ignite Diyas or clay lamps on the evening of Karthigai Deepam, likewise for Diwali. Diyas are typically lit on both sides of the doorway, on balconies, on window sills, and on steps to make them look lovely. Here are some photos of the Diyas we had at home. 

Ayyappanum Alcoholism'um!

Generally, I avoid speaking about religion, faith, or caste, which separate individuals from being human. And as I indicated above, the aim of this post is not to offend or outrage the sensibilities of any one religion or creed but to communicate the truth that deceives everyone. 

Every year, during the Tamil months of Aipassi and Karthigai (October-November), many people (mostly men) will wear holy beads in devotion to Lord Ayyapam (a Hindu god) and embark on a 48-day fast, abstaining from non-vegetarian foods, alcohol, and any other impure habits before visiting the Ayyappan temple on Sabarimala hill in Pathanamthitta district in Kerala.

Every year, Hindus from all over the world travel to Sabarimala to show their devotion and dedication to their devoted god; however, most are from the southern states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It is a challenging trip for the devotees since the temple is located within the Periyar Tiger Reserve; vehicles are stopped beyond a line, and the pilgrims have to hike a few kilometers through the forest to reach the temple. 

I know some people who go to Sabarimala regularly; I have seen how committed they were to following it as a tradition and preparing themselves well for the fast and the change in approach earned them respect, which isn't to suggest they weren't respected before. But cleanliness and fasting are thought to be everything - though cleanliness has a different meaning for me, and when I wasn't mindful of my decision, I followed it mindlessly.

Coming to the topic at hand; was also about the cleanliness of not the outer layer but the inner behavior that will never change, no matter how many times you mask with the holy beads.  "First, behave like a human before trying to become a sage!"  I know some families where the women go to work or do business for the family's survival and also take care of the requirements of the husbands, who lead an idle lifestyle whose only intention is drinking and smoking.

However, when the Ayyappan season arrives, we see those men dressed in holy dhoti and shirts, with necks full of beads and foreheads smeared in ashes to give a terrifying look of devotion and holiness. I believe there are two reasons for this: the family, which forces them to wear the holy guise so that they don't drink or smoke for at least 48 days of fasting, and the other, to convince themselves and society that they are pure. 

I'm not here to name all those who visit Sabarimala the same, but I'm sure at least 30-40% fall into the drinking category, and staying sober for 48 days must be a hardship for them (there are even fewer days of fasting, but I am not sure on the number of days). If they can do it for 48 days, why couldn't they do it indefinitely or make it occasional for the goodness of their family? Even occasion is terrible because I believe that anything that causes us to lose our sense of self is unhealthy and should be avoided for the sake of ourselves and society. 

Alcoholic! It has become a bloodsucking leech in many men's lives, which they willingly accept or are pushed to accept by some pals, and it is becoming unavoidable. Alcoholism and the unstable mind it creates are responsible for almost two-fourths of all crimes committed in the country and all around the world. Why do I value it now when it has been around for so long? 

Yes, the crime rate has increased; the income from liquor sales is rising gradually (you could say that it is due to price increases), as are drinkers, and perhaps because of that, devotees to Sabarimala have increased like never before. I may be wrong in my speculation, but it looks like a holy revolution where garlanding in beads is highlighted in the media (perhaps because it hasn't taken place during the covid period). I see many young people wearing sacred beads passing on the street. Yet, many look to have never gone to a temple or have any connection with faith, yet they rush to the temple. They may even see it as a fun activity to hang out together with friends. 

We don't need an expert to analyze this; the eyes of an experienced watch could pierce the individual hidden beneath the holy cover. I don't have a judgmental viewpoint here, but a concern that it could be varied, and I only want to share my anxiety that some deceive themselves and others with their false beliefs. Faith is being loyal to what you believe, and if you don't entirely believe anything, don't hide behind it; faith is not a game, though I believe god does not exist; trust is something the heart feels, and you can only feel it if you are faithful to your conviction. 

Deepavali 2022 Celebration

Deepavali this year (Oct 24) was good, and I had nothing to do but watch the night shower of colorful fireworks that rocked the sky from all sides; however, I could only see the fireworks from the balcony that meets south. The day didn't feel any different to me, and as usual, the television shows were unwatchable, and I couldn't recall doing anything else with my time.

After five years, my uncle (my grandmother's sister's son) chose to spend Deepavali with us. I last celebrated Deepavali with him in 2017, and I wasn't expecting him to come, but it was a pleasant surprise, and he assisted me in lighting the fireworks I had purchased. Unlike others, we do not ignite Dias (lamps); of course, it is the festival of lights, where the rows of lamps adorn the houses; we used to do the same for Karthigai Deepam rather than Deepavali.

Nephew Kavin enjoys holding sparkler fireworks

So far as I recall, we only ignite fireworks in the evening, and the sound of crackers, despite its discomfort and animal hatred, has something to raise the festive spirit. I oppose sound and hence do not purchase sound crackers, but the sky shots emit sound, which is inevitable. I buy fireworks every year because I enjoy seeing them produce light and colors; I don't believe there is any link between fireworks and the festival of lights; it's the only time fireworks are accessible and burst, and most of us do the same. 

This Deepavali is also the time in five years that I went out on the day before Deepavali and visited one of my favorite beaches, Palavakkam Beach, with my uncle. Usually, I go out a day earlier to observe how things are going around the festival of lights, and seeing festival lights around gives me some self-enthusiasm. When it comes to festivals, no one in my family circle is as enthusiastic as I am, and I can't make anyone else feel the same way; at the very least, I celebrate myself with things going on around me. 

Following is a series of sky shots from the balcony:

A couple of days for Deepavali!

Deepavali or Diwali, the word itself, would offer us joy, and as the Indian festival of lights (Oct 24th) approaches, both India and Indians living abroad are getting ready to celebrate the festival with all delight. 

Shopping, like any other festival, is crucial in Deepavali, and buying new dresses is a custom we once followed but abandoned due to the festival rush and other factors; buying crackers is another favorite activity we never miss. Either through the Deepavali fund (small money accumulated year after year by a well-known individual who organizes the purchase of fireworks, sweets, and other festival necessities) or by going to the cracker shop. I've been purchasing fireworks online for the last few years. 

Turn on the television, and you will see Deepavali commercials and discounts on any channel. Even YouTube channels aren't immune to the practice. The special buses for Deepavali transportation, as well as the busy streets of shopping areas, were also a part of the tidings on news channels.  Overall, it looks like people are engaged in celebrating the festival in some way. 

I believe no other generation has celebrated Deepavali like our 90s generation. Perhaps because I grew through it or saw a celebration that I didn't see subsequently or today. My mother told me about how their generation celebrated Deepavali, and it was my late elder maternal uncle who bought crackers for his siblings. He used to buy a lot of crackers at a reasonable price. He had been smarter during his childhood and also grew up as well. He has been a great support to our family and the good life (through wealth) we lead today is because of him.

I see that, like any other event, today's generation has lost interest in fireworks and Deepavali itself. Aside from the impact of gadgets, I feel the lack of interest in fireworks is due to laziness. This is only a point of view alone, and everyone has their reasons for staying away from fireworks. Of course, Deepavali is not only fireworks. I see Deepavali as a festival (like any other) whose key reason is to share and celebrate harmony together. 

To honor our festival of lights, the mayor of New York City has declared Diwali a citywide public holiday beginning next year, in 2023. And this is not only good news, but it will encourage people around the world to support the festival and learn about our traditional festivals, and it will undoubtedly have an effect. I wish you all a Happy Deepavali! 

Ganesh Chaturthi 2022

Ganesh Chaturthi, a renowned Indian festival, was celebrated yesterday by Hindus all around the world. The festival is celebrated based on Lord Ganesha's birth anniversary. Similar to that of Lord Krishna's that fell two weeks ago, parents conducted the event at home. 

Two days before the festival, our street had tube lights on one side, and a colorful sequence of Ganesha portraits was installed opposite our home, facing the backstreet, and a large one on the street corner, which I couldn't see from the balcony. So I have the one above, opposite us, and it was all arranged by the backstreet men. 

The Ganesh temple is on the backstreet, and every year the guys over there collect money from the residents to run the festival, which they have been doing for the past two weeks; the decorations, special prayer arrangements, and night procession were all done with that money. What they have spent is a partial amount, with the remainder going into their pockets, as I am sure this happens with most of the temples where the local boys administer the festival. 

My father bought a medium-sized clay idol of Ganesha, from temporary roadside stalls, for worship, and I find the clay idol to be beautiful in shape with drawn eyes (and other elements) rather than a standard red-black pod jutting out of the face and festooned with crown flowers adorning Ganesh's neck. Mom then embellished the idol with jewels and other flowers and performed puja while preparing meals and other ingredients. 

After the worship, the clay idol was immersed in a pail of water to dissolve in the water later that evening. Typically, clay idols will be dissolved in adjacent water bodies; we used to do the same around 13 years ago, or until we adapted the idea of dissolving the clay idol in a bucket of water and using the muddy water for gardening. Some have recently proposed the novel notion of creating idols with a seed inside and then burying the idol to help grow trees. 

After a long wait, the Ganesh procession from the backstreet temple arrived at our house at 11 p.m., after going around all the streets in our neighborhood. Because we are at one end of the road, the procession too terminates there and returns to the temple. I was in bed by the time the promenade arrived at our house, so dad took a few photos from the balcony while mum went down to worship the Ganesha in the procession. And the day ends. 

Krishna Jayanthi and Kids!

Krishna Jayanthi is a Hindu festival celebrated in India and wherever Indians live around the world to mark the anniversary of Lord Krishna's birth. Krishna is worshipped in the guise of a child on this day because it is his birthday, and thus young mothers easily associate the celebration with their child. The festival is held today. 

Every family with a child enthusiastically celebrates the occasion. Beyond a religious celebration, it has evolved into a children's festival, with families that have children under the age of five taking advantage of the opportunity to dress their children as Krishna (if a boy) or (for girls) his wife Ratha. 

Schools, like homes, celebrate the occasion by requesting kids to come to school dressed as Krishna or Ratha on this day or the day before or following the festival. I sense a compulsion forming during the festival; a compulsion from one's friends and family circle compel  (asking haven't you dressed your child) one not to miss the event, even if they aren't interested. 

Every child raised in a Hindu family seems to dress up as Krishna, and I, like my cousins, was no exception. I don't remember dressing as Krishna, but I have the photographs to prove it. Back then, we dressed as Krishna from a piece cut down of dad's Dothi and mom's jewels as ornaments. Today, however, they sell a ready-made Krishna costume for children. 

Though every festival and day has become commercial these days, Krishna Jayanthi also joined the eve; aside from the sales/buying of ready-made sweets and refreshments, which were previously homemade, the Dothi and other ornaments (as a set) have also added to relieve parents. I wasn't surprised to see a television commercial promoting the special Dothi intended for kids to tie on Krishna Jayanthi; my sister-in-law is concerned that she missed the ad because she purchased a set locally and early to dress my little nephew Kavin!  

Kavin as Krishna

My nephews, Kavin and Jeswanth, dressed up as Krishna. Jeswanth dressed as Krishna for the second time; he was 4 months old last year and cooperated well, but this year he refused to participate, and we could only put a Dothi and a flower band on him. Kavin's brows were decorated while he slept, and he had no idea how to remove the ornaments. Though they were ready to come out on their own, we managed to hold things on him sometimes and took photos. Below were the two in their respective costumes.

Jeswanth in his simple look with a peacock feather on his flower band and pearl-like chain.

A screenshot of Kavin from my facebook story.

Jeswanth in his costume from the side.

44th Chess Olympiad (Signs)

The 44th Chess Olympiad is taking place at Mamallapuram, near Chennai, on the ECR. The chess tournament will be officially inaugurated tomorrow (28 July) in the presence of Prime Minister Mr. Modi and Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Mr. MK Stalin in Chennai Nehru Stadium. The preparations for the tournament began weeks ago, and the Tamil Nadu government is doing everything possible to ensure the success of the Chess Olympiad. 

The event is actually taking place in a village called Poonjeri on the outskirts of Mamallapuram; the government has erected a large stadium/auditorium to host the event, and all the participants from 187 countries have been housed in several resorts in Mamallapuram. To put it simply, the stretch from Chennai to Mamallapuram has been in a celebratory mood, and it is expected that many people will visit during the chess tournament or at least to view the preparations for the event. 

I, too, would like to see the event advertisements and the Thambi, The Knight, the official mascot of the 44th Chess Olympiad, who is touring Tamil Nadu, particularly Chennai. But, due to the unfinished rainwater storm project and health difficulties, I couldn't get out of the house. 

The Thambi, which meant "Little Brother," was designed to emphasize Tamil Nadu culture. The knight wears the traditional garb of dhoti and shirt, and perhaps the brown horse accentuates the South Indian tone (dusky or brown), and the mascot's general dressing style mimics the Chief Minister's, which may have derived from his appearance. 

The Napier Bridge, also known as the Iron Bridge, is another landmark in Chennai that has been completely painted as a chess board (to commemorate the 44th Chess Olympiad); it has also become a shooting spot, with people taking selfies and videos on the bridge.

I hope the event was a huge success and India won the battle so that history will remember it. Images courtesy Google.

Something to know about the Chess Olympiad: The first Olympiad was unofficial! An attempt was made to incorporate chess into the Olympic Games for the 1924 Games, yet, this failed due to difficulties distinguishing between amateur and professional players. The first unofficial Chess Olympiad took place in Paris at the same time as the 1924 Summer Olympics. 

Every two years, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) organizes the tournament and chooses the host nation. This time their choice was India!

பட்டம் விடு/ Flying Kite

வெறுமையான வானம்

வெண்மேகம் தவிர்த்து.

கோடை விடுமுறை கடந்து

திங்கள் முதல் பள்ளிகள்...

சிறுவர்கள் மறந்தே போன

வாழ்வை வண்ணமாக்கிய பட்டம் (காத்தாடி).

மாஞ்சா எனும் அரக்கன்

கழுத்தை அறுத்ததால்

பட்டம் விடும் பழக்கம்

பறந்தே சென்றது நம்மை விட்டு.

அண்ணாந்து பார்த்த காலம்

பல வண்ண பட்டம்

வானில்  இட்ட வட்டம்.

சூரியன் பல்லை இளித்தாலும்

வெக்கை பொருட்படுத்தாமல்

மொட்டைமாடியில் நின்று விட்ட பட்டம்

ஒரு கனவு போல் இன்று

குறை கூற இயலாது

காலத்தின் மாற்றம்,  

இருந்தாலும் ஏமாற்றம். 

The sky is empty 

except for the white cloud.

Summer break has come to an end 

On Monday, classes began 

The boys had forgotten 

Kites in vibrant colors. 

A demon named Manja.

Because of the neck slit

Kite-flying customs

fled away from us.

The time spent looking up

Kites with multiple colors

circled the sky.

Even with the sun shining on its teeth,

Regardless of how hot it is,

standing on the terrace to leave a kite.

Today feels like a dream.

It is impossible to criticize the situation.

Change of time

It was, however, a letdown. 

FYI, flying kites is prohibited in most of the cities in our state following many incidents of neck slits by the special thread used for flying the kite. The thread goes through treatment of strengthening, which uses glass and iron particles so that it can cut off other kites. When such kites float in the air or the thread comes off, it slits the necks of those who ride bikes. So the government has banned flying or selling kites in order to stop those incidents. 

Signs2

The stone slab outside the Koyambedu Bus Stand in Chennai, one of the largest bus stations in Asia, commemorates the day the foundation for the Chennai Suburban Bus Stand was laid. 

The engraved inscription on the stone slab was beautifully embellished with illustrations that highlight the landmarks and cultural symbols of Tamil Nadu. On the left stood the saint, Tiruvaluvar, and on the right was the stone chariot of the Valluvar Kottam in Chennai. The top line includes the rock-cut temples of Mamallapuram and the statue of Kannagi from the Tamil epic Silapathikaram. 

The foundation was laid by the late former chief minister of Tamil Nadu, M. Karunanidhi. 

A warning sign or message to drivers on the east coast road, abbreviated as ECR.

The government renamed ECR Muthtamil Kalaizar Road two days ago (after the late Tamil Nadu chief minister, M.Karunanithi); however, I believe that the original name (ECR) was more appropriate and easier to pronounce.  Even though the OMR (old Mamallapuram Road), the IT corridor of Chennai, was renamed  Rajiv Gandhi Road some time ago, people still refer to it by its former name. Similarly, I expect the ECR will continue to spell the same. 

RGB Monday

 A couple of colorful Kolam from Pongal. 

These are the remaining Kolams from the Pongal festival (Jan 14), which I shared here. As usual, I went around the neighborhood on Pongal Day looking for colorful kolams drawn by the neighbors, I couldn't find many kolams this year, same as last year, but I did manage to photograph a few. 

RGB Monday

 Few colorful Kolam from Pongal. 

On the evening of Pongal (Jan 14), I went for a walk around the neighborhood, like what I was doing for the last few years on Pongal day, looking for colorful Kolams drawn from the neighbors. Same as last year, I couldn't find many kolam, but somehow managed to click some.

Happy Valentines to all