Jack Fell into a Well

One of the three street dogs my brother taking care of fell into an apartment well in the backstreet this evening when two of the three went playing around. There was totally fived dogs gave birth by another street dog and my brother fed them all, where among two was killed in a street accident (a year back) and one was adopted by my cousin sister and other two by my brother. Now, as we moved close by a door next the three dogs continue to enjoy their company and were all fed almost together. Though it annoys sometime and has created lot troubles early, they all settled well around now and get used to the balconies and terrace above our home. Ours is a three storey residential building and we reside at the first floor and adjacent to us was my cousins so we let them take space at their own comfort except coming into the home. In day time they roam on streets and come home only for night sleeps and naps.

Coming to post, the dog Jack (in photo above) fell into the well when it went on top of a net covered well, at an old apartment complex in the backstreet. The apartment walls are very low and anyone can leap into the apartment and the two dogs (Jack and Black) went playing around there and the rusted well net couldn’t hold the Jack’s weight and it fell into the well. Glad there was two to three feet of water in the well and the Jack safely landed on the water and hold to the wall with its back legs pedalling and the Black continued to stay back barking at the well, signalled the people about the fall. Three little kids ran to our house informing us and my bro has been out then, so on information he rushed to the spot and my cousin and his friends brought a rope ladder on rent and Jack was rescued safely by my brother who climbed down a nearly 20 feet well.  Jack has climbed on his shoulder as soon he gets down, perhaps he must have scared enough.  Jack is a hefty dog and climbing the rope ladder along with him isn’t an easy task but my brother’s attachment with them made possible.

At this place I remember the nursery rhyme – Jack and Jill… to fetch a pail of water… from the well up the hill and Jack fell down… here the Jack fell inside the well rather down the hill! Jack is a calm dog and much responsible among the other dogs and never been rude or threatening but his bodily and furry look may create panic to by passers. Jack brought its features from her mother whom I guess was a cross of Himalayan Sheep Dog because Jack resembles the look of the breed. Glad he was rescued and I hope he won’t go there again.  

A2B Park at Mamallapuram

Early this month I took a ride on ECR (east coast road) just to pass some time and travel but later nearing Mamallapuram, my parents instantly planned to visit one of my uncles who wasn’t well there. To those unknown, Mamallapuram is my grandfather’s hometown and many our relatives lives there and it is a 7^th century sculptural town renowned for its stone carvings from many single rocks or monolithic. But I’m not here now to describe the town or its popularity or UNESCO status instead want to share some pictures of a small park at the entrance of the town belong to A2B, a popular restaurant chain.

We stopped at A2B to buy some sweets and snacks as we visit our uncle there, I liked their simple park with walk paths, green lawns and many palms to make it look so green and beautiful with bordering flowering shrubs. Dropping parents at uncle’s house we moved into the town for some glimpses and caught at traffic, since it was Sunday the places were all thronged by tourist. We quickly exit at the other end and turned back to uncle’s house.

Linking this post for  Good Fences by Gosia

Knock at the Door

A house sparrow discussing with its reflection about the loss of their habitation and livelihood thinking it was another bird! But the sparrow was actually knocking at the glass window constantly in a manner of fighting out the other. It sensed me that they are actually knocking at our doors to let them have their space but us insensitively denying their rights and given importance to our hum him. We can’t blame anybody to enjoy their comforts and benefits available at the globalization, but did we really gave importance to something travelled along with us or realized what we missed in excite, the thing that was overridden or overtaken to let it fade through the rear mirrors.  March 20 was World Sparrow Day! And House Sparrow is a species designed to mingle and sustain with people but the reality was we failed to live up to their simple needs rather concerned only our comfort, style and hi-speed telecoms. The Western Ghats, along the south west coast,  plays a pivotal role in preserving the tiny house sparrows whose company we enjoyed until 2k, where the transformation begin to descend the harmony of their voices from our lives esp. in cities. I always enjoy their presence whenever I visit Western Ghats as part of travel and the picture was shot on same. 

Linking this post with SATURDAY CRITTERS

Skywatch Friday

Other day I was watching at the sky, in a regular manner after moved to our house with balcony, I find a jet plane speeding across the sky up high and took these snaps instantly before it move out of my sky or contrail disappear like in the picture below. I really want to zoom on the jet but the iPhone doesn’t allow me to get clear near image, maybe someday I could with camera. 

Linking this post with Skywatch Friday

Temple Consecration and Light Decors

Few days before to the consecration of a Ganesh Temple in the backstreet, they started to decorate the streets with colourful lights and lighting cut-outs of Ganesh and Murugan idols at the street corners and junctions as a led to the temple. It’s a small temple in size of 8x12 sq.ft and consecration is a custom take place at every temple once in 12 years and this’s the first time (I think so) after the temple was rebuilt with new Ganesh idol. The original idol/statue of the temple was brought by my grandfather and his friends after finding it from a village pond but that Ganesh idol was little damaged at the limb and was the talk of changing the idol as people believed that a damaged idol shouldn’t be worshipped. Since we moved out of the area in Dec 2005, I don’t remember when the idol was changed and I hadn’t got to take the backstreet often until we moved back to same in 2015.

Murugan decor opp. to our house

The backstreet and the Ganesh temple hold many memories related to my childhood and friends and whose play area were mostly around the temple and mud streets. Since my two best friends came from backstreet, we hit often the streets after back from school and on holidays and I have walked countless miles over there despite my difficulty in walk. There are some guys (from backstreet) take response to conduct festivals and Ganesh Chaturthi themselves by collecting money from the residence – whose amount mostly go to their pockets – to conduct special pujas and cart procession at night. Last year the Ganesh Chaturthi wasn’t celebrated due to the consecration ceremony, the collection of money this time was heavier or 2-3 fold higher than the Ganesh Chaturthi collections.

Coming to the post, the consecration took place on Sunday morning and there were enough crowds and the area was in festival mood with traditional instruments (my favourite Nadeswaram and Thavil, like in picture above) playing loud through the loudspeakers along the chanting of mantras by priests. They played devotional songs now and then but glad they weren’t disturbing kind and only lights were decorated our street to look colourful for few days. From the photos you could see the glittering lights and cut-outs placed on our street – right opp. to our house was Murugar decor and at the left corner was Ganesh on seated position – and couple of shots on the night cart procession. Usually they make loud crackers and I find it terrible to take photos on the procession when one blast close to us, but this time they did blast fewer crackers (perhaps because of Supreme Court order) and the cart procession went off peaceful with light instruments play. All the photos were shot from my balcony.

Breakfast Time

Other day I waked up early and got to watch the activities on our street, what I regularly miss since I wake up not less than 8 am. And just before the sun rises above the building on east, the neighbourhood crows had their early breakfast – some kind of snacks left on road – and what I really liked was the way they all gathered (neatly) like people sat around a round dining table.

Following the disperse of crows, comes out a glowing sun spreading its warm light glittering through the stainless steel rail of the balcony, and without putting flame glows the coconut palm through the climbing up of sun.

Linking this post with SATURDAY CRITTERS

Summer Breeze (2.0)

Curtains took wings by the blowing wind 

    and if not for the hangers to hold eyelets
could escape through the summer breeze
    to enjoy a vacation that I made not in a year.

Shimmering sunlight has nothing to do
   while summer breeze continues to be cool
carried all over the living room, where
   I usually hangout with my lap and books.

The tender breeze holds some magic  
   to bewitch through its ethereal touch
caress like a lassie trying to seduce
   while I continue to windlass from wheels.

RGB Monday

Colors on move...

A street vendor, in push cart selling colourful items of house and beauty accessories - a shot from my balcony. 

Rock Paintings on Critters

During the wait at the toll gate on ECR (east coast road) in Chennai, I used to take photos sometime on the plants and rock paintings decorating the medians that separate the lanes for vehicles to pass through the collection booths. I here share couple of photos shot at the beautiful rock paintings on critters – different kind of butterflies and a turtle/tortoise and lizards – from two different stops at the toll gate. These paintings are there for more than a decade (without fading) and sometime I try to capture them depending on the vehicles movements and pace and my interest.  The butterflies above were shot with iPhone and the tortoise below was a camera shot.

Linking this post with SATURDAY CRITTERS

Postcards from Twilightman

Receiving greeting card or postcards is a favourite thing from the past and those days we used to exchange greeting cards with cousins, during the festivals and New Year, and I used to collect those as a treasure and keep safe, just like the cousins do at the other end. But I lost many of them in the transfer to different houses and I only hold what I received in last 15 years, where I have sent more than received. After I learned Photoshop I started to create my own postcards using the photos I have taken and put words from my thoughts. Creating those postcards gives me a content feeling then, as I go through my personal thoughts and ideas rather picking up a greeting card from the stores.  But after the run-up in advanced communication through mobiles and internet, people started to show lack of interest and enthusiasm in sending and receiving cards and thus the exchange drops put down the practice.

In last 5 years I received some postcards from blogging friends across the world and Twilightman is someone special and different in approach. He sends me (and others) postcards during his trips he takeover to different countries and I loved receiving his postcards that greeted with hand written letters. A year or so back he sent a postcard from Penang and last month I received a postcard from his London trip – an aerial view across the Thames River – and yesterday it was a card from Taiwan. It was a real surprise for me to receive an postcard in short span from his latest trip and it makes feel happy and I truly enjoy his friendship, care and love and I couldn’t take these cards simple while traveling itself is not. At a time cousins, whom I expected lot taking indifferent routes (and of course I won’t blame them as life is a transformation indeed) received the cards from Twilightman is truly relevant and equally more. Thank you bro 

Taiwan postcard

Someone Dear Passed Away

One of our grandfathers (Dad’s uncle) passed away yesterday and I really wish I write about this gent who I expected to stay longer, despite his age – he turns 80 this year – he was healthy and fit as well with a clear and conscious mind-set is bit harder to find out these days. He was someone straightforward throughout his life and talks what’s in his mind whether the people listen likes or not and because of this some could feel disturbed or annoyed but he was mostly right on things and say what’s good for others which sometime would be hinting their mistakes and stroke pride to make feel bitter experience. Thinking back I too have felt disregarded sometime listening through his speech but when I could understand things the truth in his words made senses despite his difference in attitude.

He had a diploma in civil engineering and had worked and retried from Tamil Nadu Housing Board dept. and only with his earnings he built a house and grown his 4 children (where 3 were graduates) and married them all and 3 were married within relations.  After he was married with dad’s cousin sister he was fond of my dad and dad used to visit his home to do maths in his school days and all our constructions were executed under his instructions and planning and he’s someone never compromise on the quality and strength of a building. He had a special care for me and used to enquire about me wherever he meets mom (who was named by him, as Lilly) or dad and one time he took me to one of his neighbours (practicing touch healing) whom he believed could do something on my disability, after seeing someone being healed. But it was quite nonsense method and I don’t want to narrate the stupidity, and what I really saw there was a grandfather’s love and his intention to get me cured in any means.

He was a healthy person all his life and a never changed personality, adjustable to the situation and practice friendliness with everybody. He shares the age of my maternal grandfather, who passed in 2015. His fitness and active lifestyle is something would inspire anybody despite the ages, and even after a cardiac attack, less than a decade back, he become more conscious on his health and food habit to sustain deed. We never expected him to die very soon, despite being very stable for his age, and active till he experience urinary infection and backbone squeeze few months back. He was on medicine and cast to produce much trouble and pain but on one expected the problem he experienced was a sign of cancer at 4^th stage. Last time when I saw him (in September) he motivated me to do whatever I could rather stay idle. His last words still resound in my ears. Hope he rest at peace and sail through our memories.

Scenic Travel/Skywatch

A Gopro shot on one of my favourite routes – Dindugal to Kumli – and this is a part of the scenic road around Periyakulam which shot during my last year travel through Theni district. I could not keep away the camera whenever I travel on this road; the Western Ghats Mountains is a great companion stretches all along the route and sometimes the mist covering mountain tops are blissful to watch and even on sunny days it would  be a pleasant ride breathing the mountain breeze. And the sky as well is a pleasure to watch with different patterns creating a wondrous upon the blue sky and being a fertile soil throughout the district esp. the Cumbum valley is enriched with flouring farming and being a treasure trove of Tamil Nadu, where one would cherish when travelled through.

Linking this post with Skywatch Friday

Check Post – 3

Here’s part 3 on the series on Check Post where I would like to share moments related to check posts that I have come across during my travel. Today’s post is on Berijam.

A welcome arch by nature through forest, shot during a visit in 2009

It was in 2006, we ventured into the Berijam forest near Kodaikanal and it was my cousins’ inspired me not to miss this place when I visited Kodaikanal for 2^nd time and it was many time already for them. I hear them saying that leopards/tigers visit Berijam Lake to quench thirst and bison are common sighting the way want me to visit and experience adventure. Berijam is a pristine lake area located inside the dense forest and visiting it needs prior permission from district forest office (DFO) at Kodaikanal. A warden who arranged accommodation for us at Kodai, at that time, did help obtain permission to visit Berijam where only 20 vehicles is allowed per day to preserve the natural environment and wild.

We reached Kodai a day early to my aunt’s family join us on the trip in their car and we in cab SUV, but we got permit only for our cab car and we already 9 members on-board, received my aunt and two little cousins for a drive of about 30 km from Kodai. We doubt really will they allow our overloaded vehicle at the check post, but glad they didn’t check our vehicle and only dad get down to sign at the check post and we drove through one of the best preserved wild environment  of flora and fauna. The entire area is a biodiversity and unpolluted earth and it’s a complete pleasure and refresher to venture and its advised not  to get down anywhere other than the specified spots.

Berijam lake in 2006

Same view in 2017 -  no changes in shape and view on Lake

There’s another check post at the Lake area, where vehicles are stopped and parked aside the road and to check the place only by walk, but they allowed our car to drop me close to lake to get down to the wheelchair. I used manual wheelchair then and we spent some time on the lake bank, and taking photos it slowly started to drizzle and furthered showered rushed people to their cars, since there isn’t a place for shelter there. My wheelchair was pushed speedily by my brother to prevent getting soaked and in the force a front caster of the wheelchair came out and I was pushed further in tilt position till the car.  Berijam is a freshwater swamp lake and people are allowed only at defined space and to and fro through the car, our eyes were spotting for any wild animals.

Me at Berijam Lake in manual wheelchair aside dad and cousin in 2006

I have visited Berijam couple of times after that and there isn’t much changes on the place for good and each visit was a different experience for me and lately the forest department itself  running an ecotourism trip to Berijam and the number of private vehicles allowed has also been increased is certainly a disturbance to the ecosystem there. Berijam Lake is 9 km in circumference and located at 2165 MSL and it is also considered as one of biggest freshwater lakes in Asia. During my second visit I encountered Sambar deer, Langur and Giant Malabar Squirrel but beyond that the presence of nature and calmness wants me to go their how many times possible.

Infinity

Sky is an infinite 

where change, a constant
around the clock  
a destiny undecided
like a departed tree leaf
floats aloof in wind direction.

Life is an infinite
where it travels into space
to face challenges unknown
dreams to pursuit
and courses of leaning
that never seem to end.

Sea is an infinite
when watched from shore
where sky and sea are parted
through a thin line
and one goes in search of
the travel is eternal.

Linking this post with Skywatch Friday

Glowing Coconut Palms

Winter has its way out, like every season, slow extension of daylight sense the injection of sun and warning summer and at the end of the day it glows. Even after the sun disappeared behind the buildings, the trees top are set to glow by the fierce rays of sun, sneak peek through the gaps of buildings. The light exposed on the greenish orange coconut palms enhance the glowing light to golden treat and it was quite a simple pleasure I got to watch few time. Although these are some capture from last year or before winter, the image weren’t different now rather going strong with  glow where I could get even leafy shadows on trunks.

I wasn’t out anywhere lately and sky watching has become an activity and I take many photos mostly on sky these days. I saw a lone pelican last evening crossing my sky and sometime a bunch of white heron – which used to be common sights in past – but everyday about 6 pm, number of bats pass our sky, a regular journey of them from the trees of Theosophical Society to other bunches of trees along Buckingham Canal in Adyar. And they turn back to the Society in early morning which I ever woken up to see in the last 5 months, since shifted here. But my uncle confirms that. Glad I have this open sky in front of the house, surrounded by trees and a balcony to skywatch, keeps me going despite the haunting thought of traveling, which I haven’t done one close to a year now.

A crow perched atop a tank pipe while getting warm in evening sunlight

RGB Monday

My aunt's colorful Pongal Kolam drawn last month during the festival of Pongal, very next to mom's Pongal pot kolam.

Kolam is a custom followed by the households in south India and it’s a daily activity for many, including ours. And Pongal Kolam is popular during this time and many put great efforts to make it look wonderful and colourful including drawing something relevant to the festival. Kolam always been my favourite thing and I enjoy watching different patterns and for me, Kolam is apart any belief and its way of exhibiting art and beauty.

Melody of Birds

A  raw image, captured at Kodaikanal

Nature sings a song
taking notes from birds
and squirrels chirping on trees
plays a melody, through
the silent afternoon
when less others volumes.

The motion of palms
made pleasant moves
to the melody of birds in air
as they fly over, tweets
some sweet notes
to compose into a song.

Piles of dry leaves
invited birds to ground
to forage; via tiny crush of leaves
comes out string tones
to fine tune the song
birds sing from bare trees.

Linking this post with SATURDAY CRITTERS

தென்றல் / Breeze

தென்றல் வந்து தொடுகையில் 

புது இன்பம் வந்து தழுவியது;

அழுத்தத்தில் தத்தளித்த இதயம்

சற்றே சுவாசித்தது, வீசுகின்ற கற்று

தன் மூச்சை நிறுத்தும் முன்.

விரக்தியில் இருந்தேன் நான்

புது உத்வேகம் தந்தது காற்று;

வாசல் கடந்து இழுத்து வந்தது

ஒரு உணர்வு, விவரிக்க முடியாதது

தென்றல் தொடும் தடம்.

செல்வம் கோடி இருந்தாலும்

செல்லமாய் தீண்டும் தென்றல் போல்

தாலாட்டும் தன்மை கிடைக்காது;

முகமற்ற வாயால் ஊதும், அதனை

நாம் உணர மட்டுமே செய்வோம்.

---------------- -----------------

As breeze comes in touch
a pleasure came and embraced;
the heart swayed in stress
slightly breathed, the blowing wind
before stopping her breath. 

I was frustrated!
The wind gave me inspiration;
I was dragged across the door
a feeling, what’s unexplainable
the breeze touching track.

However billions is wealth
like the touch of sweet breeze
nothing tends to be lullaby;
blowing from faceless mouth
we’ll only do feel that.

Ps. Inspired by the cool breeze  blowing through  afternoon

Check Post - 2

Check post is a series I have started (click here for post 1) where I would like to share moments related to check posts that I have come across during my travel. There’s a check post everywhere and these check post are important in sustaining a control over unruly esp. when it comes nature environment, wild and national defence and interest. Let it be anything, crossing a check post need consideration because skipping any working check post will land in trouble. Though we hadn’t messed up anywhere but got warned by the check post guards sometime and threat a penalty.

Just like in the previous post, where we stopped by a forest dept. check post before entering Hogenakkal and this post too is similar to the evening but here it was afternoon when we try to cross Papanasam check post to visit Karaiyar Dam in Pothigai Hills. It was in 1999, during my first time trip to Kodaikanal and Tirunelveli; we visited Courtallam on the 4^th day of our travel and then went to Agathiyar Falls inPapanasam and Karaiyar Dam (which weren’t in our plan) and we had no idea about this terrain as well. It was our friend who hailed from Tirunelveli, took us around the places and guided us on the entire trip (which I think I need to write a separate post on it later) and after taking showering from the popular Coutrallam waterfalls there we pursuit to Karaiyar Dam, which is 10km uphill from Papanasam.

The forest check post at Papanasam blocked our Ambassador car, and I guess they request for a permission letter and if I remember we paid some amount per head of us for them to allow inside the Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, where the Karaiyar Dam is built across Thamirabarani River. The road was narrow and potholed at many places where our Ambassador car passed effortlessly and entirely the road was silent and far empty with couple of stops with EB quarters and some settlement. The road travels along the Thamirabarani River and we could see huge pipes taking water down to the PowerStation at the foothill. I felt a sense of quietness all over; except for the voices inside the car and it was there I spot the Nilgirilangur for first time. The water level at the dam was far down then and a row of boats were parked along the bank to take visitor (on their willingness) to the other side of the dam  to check Roja Falls – named after the popular film Roja where  it was shot.

The view that I got from the dam is etched still on my mind. I rarely had a photo on it where I really need to dig out from the old photos collection. I was so interested taking the boat ride there, despite the ankle sprain I got on Kodaikanal; we were in lack of time as we need to head east to visit Tiruchendor before the end of the day. The picture of Nilgiri langur (above) was shot from the wilderness of Nilgiris during my visit in 2017.  

Summer Breeze 2019

Summer breeze picked up

earlier to the season
transports me to past, where
some best moments exists.

Breath-taking it feels
every time the sea breeze
take off and land my field
to feels embrace wind.

Sun shone its fine
but still the winter chill
plays a role between
like a string in music.

And I enjoy this view
of palms and other trees
dancing to the tune of
imbalance wind breeze.

The trees lose leaves
like skin shed off layers
to prevailing dry weather
the wind blows to ground.

RGB Monday

My aunt's sparrow kolam for the New Year

Kolam is a custom followed by the households in south India and it’s a daily activity for many, including ours. Kolam always been my favourite thing and I enjoy watching different patterns and for me, Kolam is apart any belief and its way of exhibiting art and beauty.

Maya and Mysore pak

Our dog Maya loves anything that taste sweet (which I’m not sure all dogs come under this category) and whenever we have something she used to bark which means she needs some bit too. We rarely offer her some piece of sweet or cakes or cookies made of chocolate to satisfy her unending desire and to make her have medicine or tablet we used to hide it inside the sweet or chocolate because she never took easily orally a medicine. Sometime we voluntarily drop a tablet in front of her and pretend to pick it up where she swiftly act and take the tablet in mouth. Rarely she eats the sweet alone and split the tablets separately.

We don’t keep down things Maya is interested on when she was on loose and sometime she behaves senseless picking anything from the house dustbin. Two days back, relatives visited us and they brought a sweet box and some fruits which mom had left on the floor in thought Maya were tied and forget to shift things from there. When we saw later everything was fished off the sweet box. Maya had eat 1/4kg of the Mysore Pak and looked with a weighted tummy as if having offsprings and also found difficult to walk. We really thought/worried what going to happen to her as she already have wheezing and weaker heart and this heavy loaded Mysore Pak (made of generous amounts of ghee and sugar) could cause anything. But glad she’s doing well and turned normal next day after couple of toilet visits.

About Mysore Pak: It was originally called as Mysuru Paaka, in which Mysuru indicates the city of Mysore, in the Indian state of Karnataka and Paaka means sweet syrup, is a popular Indian sweet made of ghee, sugar, gram flour and cardamom.

Linking this post with SATURDAY CRITTERS

மகிழ்ச்சியான மாலை / Delightful Evening

மாலை பொழுதில், மகிழ்ச்சியில் 

கீச் கீச் என்று பறந்தன  பறவைகள்

தன் கூடு தேடி இதம் சேர்க்க,

இரவுக்குளிர் அதிகரிக்கும் முன்.

செக்கச்சிவந்த வானமாய் எனது

இளஞ்சிவப்பு நிறத்தில்

மெலிதாய் போர்த்திய பனி இடையே

உறைந்தது அன்றைய தினம்

இரவை நோக்கிய பயணத்தில்  

அழகு சித்திரமாய் மாலை 

இருள் ஒளியில் முழுதாய் 

மறையும் முன் மகிழ்வித்து சென்றது.

-------------------  -------------------

In the evening, cheerfully
chirping birds fly away
searching their nest to feel pleasant
before the night cold elevates.

As alpenglow my sky
in pinkish color
between the thin layers of dew
frozen that day 

On a journey towards night
evening as beautiful canvas
delighted, before fully disappear
in the darkness of light.

Ps. Inspired by the evening outside the home

Checkpost - 1

Check post is a series I have started (at a blink of thought while reading Hot Tea) where I would like to share moments related to check posts that I have come across during my travel. I could remember some check posts that went smooth with the guards permitting, giving tips on the route and encouraging kind of guards and some are stubborn to stern to warn us to turn back and it’s not the check posts actually but the location and places we like to venture makes it possible or not. There are check posts on every border of states, districts, and restricted areas like forests and dams and the foothills to prevent illegal activities and preserve nature and environments. Check posts really plays significant roles in controlling smuggling, verifying vehicle documents for right registration and makes sure a secure travel.

I remember my first encounter with a check post was in 1997, a barrier belong to Tamil Nadu forest department held us for some time when we try to visit Hogenakkal Falls in Dharmapuri district. We just drove from Mysore, after our visits to Ooty and Mysore; it was almost night or around 8 when our car (Maruti 800) was stopped by the forest department denying permission to allow us into Hogenakkal which is located inside the forest. Unlike today, it wasn’t a greatly popular tourist place with plenty of lodging and restaurants then, so the movement of vehicles are less and no vehicle is allowed after 6 pm to visit the falls at the bank of Cauvery. It was pitched dark around us except a bulb light from the check post, and a silent noise of forest surrounds us while my dad and uncle was convincing the guards to permit us as we had no other option or idea to return. The guards came down after sometime and we were in chaos sitting inside the car and a mild fear of forest as we couldn’t see even what is near us. We drove past the Ghats section with a small terror after getting permission and we stopped at the Tamilnadu tourism hotel, for a night stay and visited the falls next day morning.

Actually there were 8 members in the hatchback and I was 12 then and my brother was 3 years younger to me and my cousin was 2 years. Sometimes I sit in the front seat adjusting with my maternal uncle and other two take the laps of our parents throughout our journey and the trip was entirely memorable and I could recollect the moments still.

Winter Sunlight

My window reflected 

a winter sunlight 

mild, yellow, warm light 

glare its presence 

before hideaway 

behind a building.

Pongal 2019

Mom's Pongal pot Kolam

I still going through the painful arm (read here if you missed) at night and the muscle spasm  have formed well on the upper arm and it’s taking time to heal. Being a muscular dystrophy, with weaker muscles, an extension in healing is no wonder. But I could feel better than earlier and still shifting positions kicks pain and I continue to ice and heat therapy. In between we had a far better Pongal and after 2010 we got to celebrate Pongal along with our uncle’s family who lives adjacent and the extended balcony (for my wheelchair movement) has gave enough space to lit firewood stove and Pongal was cooked in mud pot. Pongal is a harvesting festival of Tamil and thanksgiving to nature that nurture our lives and making Pongal in open space means dedicate to the prime natural source Sun and make thought the year become all success and happier.

Making of sweet Pongal by boiling rice, milk and jaggery

The weather is pretty cool all these days and the sun is bright enough to balance the heat and the Pongal was cooked despite the warm sunlight that kept producing heat. The night before Pongal, mom and aunt got their hands on beautifying our front yard or the space between the road and our house and both made two colourful Kolams aka Rangoli using colour powders. First time mom took effort to draw a big Kolam after her surgery in May, though it is a simple kolam for her but just put this effort for me as  I love kolams. Every year she used to draw Pongal Kolam and adds colors according to the design and this time along with the aunt they turned more colourful the way it used to be. Other than paying homage to nature esp. the sun, and making Pongal on the balcony the days were spent mostly on TV and i went around our streets in the evening to check neighbours Kolam but to my disappointment most of them had drawn small Kolam or design which I would sharing in another post. Hope you liked our celebration.

View on other two kolams by aunt, from balcony

Year began with pain

A new year had begun and already 10 days had passed into the year and everything went as usual fine and obviously nothing to anticipate or perhaps change at this least time but it was the Sunday turned thing worst for me. As you people know the state of me, with difficult progressing on day-to-day life since the discovery of Dad’s coronary artery disease that prevents him lifting me I was look after by my brother and cousin but to put things a little ease we looked out for a part time caretaker to put me on bath and thus came one on Sunday and on the very first day itself I got hurt my arm through an unexpected move from him although he was cautious, it happened unintentionally and I’m still going through the pain which raises at night to keep me unsleeping. Both my arms have limited access and putting a bit pressure above it will reflect pain or tear of muscles or rarely fractured alike the one I got in 2013 on the femur. Though I wasn’t content the way he handled me, I understand he was not intended to do that hurt me but his quick attitude could never work with me and we have put hold him already until I heal to decide to continue with him or not. Right now I couldn’t think more while spending painful night sleeps and I believe it wasn’t a fracture. From Sunday I have been applying ice gel over the painful shoulder and right arm and my physiotherapist started the ultrasound therapy to support healing and ease pain but it was paining more and i couldn’t work on laptop for last few days and I post this from iPhone which was easier to use now than laptop. Will check all your post later or when I feel good or less pain! Have great Year all

Happy New Year

The year has come to end and a New Year is beaming in front of us, flashing rays of hope that should be only taken as betterment to lead us into the future, to be a fruitful to anyone looking out for changes in life, in a prospect of sour security, skinny web of friends and family as enclosure to the lavishing lush and red pupil heart of love, turning the lives into meaningful, kindest and sweetest towards eternal. Let’s wish for a change or continue to sail as long it’s peaceful, successful, and useful to throw lives into organic, healthy and happy.   

Wish you all Happy New Year again!

Christmas Craftworks

Collage of my craftworks

Begin 2011, I decorate Christmas tree every year, except 2013 and 2015 a disaster year for me and my city (Dec flood), I put lights and star to feel and get involve myself with the festive while people celebrates around. Usually I purchase ornaments for Christmas tree either from the shop or online twice a year, as most of them are made of thermocol (polystyrene) it don’t last few years. But this year I decided to make some ornaments using Popsicle sticks to see how well I could treat myself with the activities and I got many ideas browsing the net and I decided to stick with simple craftwork like stars, wreath, tiny trees, house etc.  And I enjoyed painting them all.  Here are few photos on craftwork that I later hanged on the Christmas tree.

My gingerbread house that was turned into stone house by my sweet grandmother. The other two beside the house is santa hat haha

Birth of Christ

My christmas tree with the ornaments I made with popsicle sticks