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