Etched memories of the Malligai poo (Jasmine flowers)

Being a TamBrahm, the love for the malligai poo (jasmine flowers) is deep rooted in me.  I am not sure if the present generation would agree with me on this.  There are many instances and incidences of childhood, but there are few that are close to my heart.  It is like pressing the rewind button and I do these often and rewind good memories of my childhood which is filled with lot of innocence and happiness. This is a story of the malligai poo that is deep set in my memory and carries fond memories of my childhood.

It takes me close to two and half decades to three decades back when I used to go with my Appa to the market.  Appa used to carry the cloth bag for buying vegetables (I hardly see anyone carrying these cloth stitched bags nowadays, thanks to the plastic bags which have captured the market).  Sunday mornings have always been for shopping, but when it was to buy flowers for adorning Krishna or for any special function, the malligai poo was a must have in the household.

It was during one such trip to the Mulund market when I accompanied appa to buy these flowers.  Usually, there are two to three women selling these flowers. Appa was bargaining with the lady as usual about the prices and that he would buy a substantial quantity.  Meanwhile, when all those talks were going on, I picked up the entire bundle (generally the malligai poo is bundled into a round shape and neatly placed).  I told appa that I want the entire bundle and I am going to wear all those flowers.  The flower seller had a smile on her face and I did not understand then why she smiled.  Appa too was smiling and I can still picturise the smile on his face.

There are many fond memories of the Malli poo. It was one such wedding that I had attended and I would have been barely of ten or twelve years.  I was holding Appa’s hand and walking with him.  In many Tam Brahm weddings, there is a tradition of offering kumkum and also giving flowers to the girls and women who enter.  Generally, the length of the gajra (as we call it now) is small. I was not happy with the small gajra that the lady was offering and I told her that I wanted the entire bundle that was kept.  Appa gave a stern look and I was not happy at all that he did so.  Throughout the function, I was not cheerful (and this was unlike me).  But somehow he convinced me that he would get flowers the next day. These are small instances of childhood memories and whenever I pass the lady selling these Malligai flowers, it reminds me of my childhood times.

I still make it a point to buy those flowers from the Mulund market as it has fond memories and it gives me a sense of satisfaction when I buy those and wear those.

Love you all

Rekha Mahadevan

My love for Malgudi Days and R K Laxman’s expressive cartoon figures!!!

Tanaanaa tana nananaaaaaaa- Come this tune and my mind goes back memory lane way back in 1986 when it was first shown on television. R. K. Narayan who penned this wonderful Malgudi Days has given my generation and also every generation something so wonderful;  memories of watching Malgudi Days remains everfresh.  

Swami, the character full of innocence and his attachment to his grandmother, Swami and his friends are memories that will last a lifetime.  When I think of Malgudi days, I am able to recreate the scene in front of my eyes even now.  I remember it was in 1986 when Doordarshan started showcasing it primetime. The 9 p.m. prime time (as we know it now) showcased Swami and his friends, Malgudi characters instead of Arnab Goswami.   Many of my friends and generation made Swami and his family a part of our life and the innocence and the realism with which every actor from Girish Karnad to Anant Nag fitted into every role of Malgudi days so brilliantly.  The captivating and rustic background music by L Vaidyanathan and last but not the least, the wonderful cartoon sketches by R. K Laxman made the characters come alive on the Bush Television.

The imaginary city created by R K Narayan was so life like that it felt as if events and incidences happened and we became a part of it.  It was seeing these cartoon figures that I started sketching and I used to love sketching. For me every cartoon figure of RKLaxman sent out a message and something that I could learn from.  When I was little, I imagined that every station in a village looked like Malgudi.  It looked so beautiful, the railway track, the fencing, just few villagers selling their wares evoked a strange attraction in me. I am sure there will be many such stations but Malgudi is special in my heart and is closest.

So here’s trying out a simple handmade sketch.  Just for the fun of it!!!

Luv

Rekha

The Badam Tree – She stood tall and beautiful and had an elegance of her own!!

When I was on my way back from office, I noticed the tall and green Badam tree being cut.  My heart skipped a beat and it pained me to see such a majestic tree being brought down.  The first thing that came to my mind was that Maddy would feel so bad to see it being cut.  I remember the tree and have been seeing her since the last 21 years (if I am not mistaken).  The tree stood tall and green with pride and elegance just next to our compound and we could see it from one of our bedrooms.  The tallest part of the tree was as tall as the 5^th floor where we reside.  Come monsoons and she would have all sorts of greens, light, dark and deep hues of greens and light red colours.  The top part of the tree was exactly in the form of an umbrella and we used to really envy as to how nature comes up in some wonderful forms.

But what happened yesterday was really saddening. I am sure that the very fact that the tree was being cut had something to do with the safety of the building.  The Municipality guys came and there was a big crowd when the Badam tree was being cut. It was being cut right from the roots.  People were noticing it and I am sure just like me and Maddy, many people would be sad that this was happening.

I went home and immediately told Maddy that this was happening and he felt so bad, I could feel it.  He loves nature, birds, flowers and trees.  He can explain the simplest of the nature forms with such romance and love.  His expressions were like “ What are you saying”-  Just two days back, we were having our tea and enjoying the scenic nature and the greenery of the surroundings just bang outside our home.  This tree was like a feel good factor.  We tend to get so much attached to these simple things but when it is not present, it feels awful. I had my morning coffee today looking outside and could only see branches, big and small lying close to the ground.  It is said that for a tree to grow as big, it takes many number of years and I am not sure when I would get to see her again, in her full bloom again with the Badam fruits.

Will miss you very much!!!!

Lots of Luv and Blessings

Rekha

p.s.  For me The Badam Tree represented a joint family with elders, grandparents, in laws and her green colour represented life and love in all its glory.

What next ? It’s important to look forward to every moment of our Life!!!

The modern day life is really fast and has its fair share of ups, downs, highs and lows.  It’s like seconds, minutes, hours, days and months are just going away in a jiffy.  I too like many of you have my share of highs and lows.  Some days are so very slow and some just fly away even before I can imagine and it leaves me thinking as to what did I do that brought me happiness or what did I not do that did not make me feel good.  Who doesn’t come with baggage?  It’s left to each one of us to know how to unpack or identify someone who will help you unpack that baggage.

Remember as kids, we used to be happy with even small things and I remember my uncle (periappa in Tamil) used to get the packet of Champion biscuits (sugar and jelly biscuits). This was way back in 1983. Gorging on those biscuits was the ultimate happiness for me and my sister.  I really am not sure about how happiness can be measured, of course happiness is an abstract subject.  But as kids I did measure happiness.  It was getting something nice to eat,  buying a new dress or even buying the scented eraser.  See that’s how I measured happiness.

 Happiness is becoming shortlived nowadays.  I wonder as to what is happening. Getting a new gadget or buying a new vehicle or even getting the most expensive of outfits or jewelery is somehow not allowing our happiness quotient to go on a higher scale.  Why is it so?  Are we ageing?  I really do not know.  May be it’s not about ageing also.  Or is it contentment at a low level?  Is being less ambitious a sign of contentment?  Standing in the long queues for hours together to buy the Garden saree (which has always been my favorite) does not seem to excite me any longer.  The huge banners of sale that are displayed on every shop during the monsoon sale is not exciting any longer.  May be it’s the saturation level. It is actually so important to keep the interest alive, be it in material things as it helps the going get smoother and it’s a feel good factor.  If something is going to make you feel good and you feel happy doing it or getting it, PLEASE DO IT.  You never know when you will lose interest in doing the same things that once upon a time brought a smile on your face.

Everything is about feeling good. Why do we buy what we buy?  Even if that happiness is temporary, it does give happiness and that’s VERY IMPORTANT.  If going to your favorite restaurant and eating is what you are looking forward to, please do it.  If buying a decorative piece of home furniture for your home is what you have always wanted to, just DO IT.  The time to do it is NOW.  One is never sure whether the same thing will interest you after few months or years.  These are the small things that will bring us happiness in our lives and we should definitely do it. I am sure most of you would have heard and read articles similar to this, but when something is reiterated, the brain somehow tends to think in that direction and may be it helps.

p.s.  All the above is completely my perception. These are solely my opinions and views and I am no authority on deciding the generic happiness quotient.  This is my perception of LIFE.

Lots of Luv

Rekha

Can love happen Twice – Someone asked me this?

Seriously, I am not quite sure about how to approach this subject.   One of the readers of my blog asked this and I told her that I am unsure at this point in time to answer this.  I know that this was a very political answer that I gave, but I did ponder over this.  When I was a teenager, I believed that love happens once and it is forever.  I guess technology increases the chances of falling in love (honestly).  Out of sight out of mind is definitely true in many cases that I have seen and heard.

With applications like Whatsap and other social media, you tend to get in touch with friends, your old love is ignited and so many things.  I am not saying that technology is the only root cause for many things that are happening around.  But it definitely has a role to play. The social networking websites provide enough room for a man and woman to express themselves without necessarily being serious about a relationship.

Gone are the days when men and women were naughty at forty, now you can get naughty at any age.  These technology gadgets have equipped us with a new vigour, enthusiasm and opened up opportunities. Applications like Whatsapp, Facebook are definitely places where one can voice out their feelings to their college or school friends (this entirely depends on the rapport they share with their friends).

I am not quite sure as to whether it is wrong to fall in love again.  Yes, it happens many a times for e.g. in a corporate setting.  Two people working together for eight hours on a particular job/project and yes, it does happen. I have seen BMM students who work on projects continuously on specific projects getting attracted and falling head over heels.  The project changes, the guy or girl changes. There are definitely shades of grey in every field and you or me have no right as to decide what is right or wrong.

We hear so many cases of extramarital relationships nowadays.  What is actually going wrong? Is the husband or wife lying, are they not enjoying each other’s company or is there a communication gap.  Why is the husband so cold or why is the wife not showing interest to the husband’s communication.  Yes, many do go through these so called cold periods. 

There is definitely a very thin line between being JUST FRIENDS and actually ending up in an EXTRAMARITAL relationship. There are a lot of thoughts and emotions that are going on in mind when I am writing about this topic.  Am not sure as to how the readers are going to comprehend this blogpost.  But I had to write it for one of my readers. Falling in LOVE is beautiful and there is no doubt about it, but sustaining it and staying true is something that definitely calls for a lot of guts(I should say).

Saying bye for now!!!

Luv

Rekha

p.s: There may be incidences where one is attracted to someone and two people genuinely feel for each other and there is a strong chemistry (for whatever reasons).   Nevertheless, we need to be doubly sure of what we are doing.