Onam Celebration in our apartment

Hello Bloggy

Been a long while since I've excercised my grey cells. Past 2 weeks were all busy,busy for all the ladies here.

We wanted to do a small Onam program in our apartment here and since it was exam time in almost all schools during this month, we couldn't make it extravagant like last year. So we decided to put up some games for all ages and as fillers we would put some groups songs(malayalam) of small kids and adults as well. Me and my other half decided to join for singing. I had the job of collecting the kids for practice everyday. Also I had to go door to Door in my block for inviting people personally to ensure maximum participation. We also had a Pookalam Competition. There were about 9 teams. Surprisingly there were Non-mallu teams who put up a good show. They even won prizes.

L and G were also there in group songs. Kids were excited and it was fun to see them learn the songs with actions. G wanted to participate(she was the smallest in the group) but she was too shy to do the actions. Few games included Picking the nuggets for the small kids....for bigger children it was passing water and filling a bottle. There was a Mythological Quiz for kids according to their apartment blocks. Couples had a grocery list game where the partners would sit 20 feet apart. One group had to called out the grocery items and their quantity...the other side would have to write out what they hear from their partner in the right order...this was all done simultaneously and so it was fun to watch one whole side screaming out their items. It would be a different list for all teams. Since dad and me were suffering from sore throat,neither of us sould scream. So I chose another friend who was interested in participating. We just missed the first prize coz of 1 item. Instead of Custard powder I heard Instant Powder...haha

The highlight of the day was the Vadamveli(Tug of War) for which even the small children wanted to participate. Finally there was team of equal men on either side. It was most anticipated event and we decided to have the best of 3. After the first attempt the guys switched sides and as everyone watched eagerly, on the second attempt the rope snapped off. It was disappointing. So they split the prize to both sides. Then there was Uriyadi(breaking the hanging pot with a long stick). Three people would be selected by a lucky draw. Age criteria was above 11 years of age. They would be blindfolded and have limited time to break the pot with the stick in their hands, meanwhile the children could splash water at them to their hearts content. The second boy won the prize. By the way the children were splashing water , I thought all 3 people would give up the game.

There were cash prizes for all the events. It was a fun-filled evening yesterday. G surprisingly sang with actions but her sound was not clear coz she had chocolates in her mouth and it was dripping out while she was singing. :)

Scary Intentions

G: Mama,I want to be Superman!

Mama(surprised): Why do u want to be Superman, dear?

G(in animation): I want to scare everybody!

Dad: Then u have to be Supergirl not Superman because u r a small girl.

G: No, I only want to be a Superman !

Trip without Mama

G finally enjoyed her trip to kerala without me and L. She recently went with dad to our native for Onam. L was having her tests and so we had to cancel our(mine and L's) tickets. We thought of letting G visit her grandparents , tho we had doubts whether she would leave till the very last moment before the train journey. The journey to our native is only 1 night's sleep in the train.

L could also study well for her tests without much interference. It was boring for me without G around to pay all attention. Eventho it was a big break for me in a very long time, I was missing G terribly. L behaved like a good girl surprisingly without G to boss around and also studied well for her tests. Infact she was happy G wasn't around to share all the toys for a few days.

G had the time of her life. She got showered with all her grandparents attention. She got lots of chocolates too(which is her greatest weakness). She got to be with the chicks , new fishes in the pond..and the new love birds at my In-Laws and loved the time she got to feed them. Some visits to our relatives and a day without dad at my parents home too went by so fast for G. She would remember me specially when it was bedtime but then she would be too tired then and would fall asleep soon. She was very happy to be back home. It was all so fast for her that she seemed dazed for some time when she came back.

An Old Silk Curtain

When is the last time u have taken time to notice the least important thing in life or given ear to an unsignificant sound? Do u have the time to think of it when u r busy pondering over the mountains and volcanos in ur life. When ur mind feels tired of thinking about the day to day things in life, give it a break. U need to shut ur mind up and chill out. Look at the finest detail of a small thing or listen to silence.hehe ..strange isn't it?

Its been long time that I have been watching this Silk Satin Curtain hanging on my window in our bedroom. Its not an expensive material and also its quite old. Its a beige colour with floral designs. Sometimes I even tell Papa that its time we changed it coz its out of Fashion. Nobody even lays eyes on it, specially during the day. But suddenly it looks beautiful these days only coz I started noticing it more often. It looks the most beautiful when roomlights r switched off and against the yellow streetlight(of our apmt) that falls on it at night. In the gentle breeze that flows across the open window, it looks even more beautiful. And when everybody's asleep I delight at watching it in calmness.

Perhaps its the same way God looks at his children all the time.

Blasts in Delhi

Shame on those people who feel thrilled to kill their fellow innocent brothers and sisters. Why do they call themselves Indian Mujhahideen? Why do they attach the word Indian to their organisation when they r nothing but opposites of it?

Its terrible to think what the people must be going thru, fearing of Bomb Blasts day and Night. My deepest condolences to people who lost their near and dear in the terrorist attacks. May God be with all of them and help them go through this painful experience. My heart sinks just to read such shocking news.

Onam Fiesta !

I wouldn't be a Complete Mallu if I don't mention the Favoutirte festival of Kerala which is "ONAM". Onam Festival is celebrated with great joy and gaiety across Kerala, during a series of days in August or September. Many cultural events are also held on the occasion of Onam. Snake Boat races, Kathakali and Mohiniattam dance recitals and musical performances are organized to celebrate Onam in Kerala. Moreover there is a 10 day holiday in schools for even the children to enjoy.

What do people do throughout the 10 days??
Well there are lots of things!! First and formost People shop till they drop...u'll see sale sale everywhere from big shopping malls to even the smallest market shop. People buy new clothes and exchange gifts. Houses are cleaned and beautiful flower carpets and decorations are made at the entrances of houses and in courtyards. Traditional oil lamps are lit in the courtyard and women dressed in traditional Kerala sarees dance around the lamp, performing a dance called Thiruvathirakali. The main event on Onam day is a grand feast at lunchtime. Called sadya, the feast consists of a series of dishes served one after the other, including rice, vegetable curries, pickles and several varieties of payasam or sweet dish.

The highlight of this season is where u make Pookkalams(Flower designs).
Pookalam is an intricate and colourful arrangement of flowers laid on the floor. The tradition of decorating Pookalam is extremely popular during ten-day-long Onam celebrations. Loads of flowers, lot of dedication, creativity, technique and team effort are what makes a spectacular Pookkalam. Pookalam Competitions r held in schools and associations during this time too. Its a real feast to watch all the designs and creativity. They have become extremely popular and witness huge public participations. Big prizes are also kept in these contests as they have turned up to be extremely competitive events.

The Legend behind Onam Festival in Kerala:

Onam is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, a legendary ruler of Kerala, who was renowned for the justice and goodness of his rule. According to legend, people in his kingdom lived in prosperity and harmony and loved their King so much that even the God's grew jealous of him. King Mahabali had conquered all the land and sea and the heavens, making the Gods even more disturbed. Vishnu descended on earth in the form of a dwarf Brahmin, called Vamana. He went to King Mahabali's palace and found the good King distributing alms. When Mahabali asked Vamana what alms he sought, Vamana replied he would like as much ground as he could cover with three footsteps. Mahabali looked at the tiny feet of the dwarf and agreed to his wish. Lord Vishnu covered the land and seas with one step and the heavens with the second. Mahabali recognized the presence of the Lord and offered his head as the ground for Vishnu/Vamana's third step. Mahabali was thus subjugated and sent to the underworld. However because he was a good and just king who loved his subjects, he could return once a year to check on the welfare of his people. And it is during Onam time that He comes to visit his people.

Onam Sadhya(Onam Feast)
A proper Onam Sadhya is what the people long for during this time.It consists of the dishes given below served in small quantities with white rice on a Big Banana Plantain Leaf. Totally Vegetarian and YUMMY! The dishes include Parippucurry, Injithair, Sambar, Avial, Kalan, Olan, Thoran, Puliinji, Pineapple Pachhady, Erissery Koottucurry, Sarkarapuratty ,Kaya Varuthathu, Pappadam ,Payasam, Prathaman ,Bananas

Payasams(also known as Kheer) r the best part of this sadya.
I love payasams.There are several varieties of 'payasams'. I have included a recipe of a simple Semiya Payasam which is my fav.
Semiya Payasam
Ingredients:
Vermicelli 1 cup

Cashew nuts handful

Raisins handful

Water 3/4cup

Sugar a cup

Saffron a pinch

Milk a cup

Cardamom two or three pods
Method:

Heat the ghee and fry the vermicelli till light brown. In the meanwhile, boil the water. Add the vermicelli to the boiling water and cover it. Keep stirring occasionally. Once the vermicelli becomes soft , add the sugar and continue to stir. Put the saffron in the milk and dissolve it, add this milk to the vermicelli. Powder the cardamom and add it to the mixture. Then fry the cashew nuts and almonds in ghee and add these. Mix well and boil for about two minutes. Your payasam is ready and can be served hot or cold.
By now I hope u all got an idea of what Onam is .

So wishing u all a Very Happy Onam!

Beaming Moon

While sunset creeps across

The changing firmament,

You roll slowly into

The deep blue Velvety Skies.

You say ur byes

To the tired sun,

And arrive to take

Your daily turn.

You're a stunner with

Your Silvery beams,

As u strut across

The heavens above.

And while the stars up high,

Wink at u forever,

And give u company,

You surpass all the above,

With ur flattering beauty.

The changing shapes

You acquire each day,

Is ur magical ability

To keep us amazed.

Tho the Sun's mighty,

And much powerful than u,

It still is invisible,

In its own light

And way beyond

Bare eye's view.

Oh! Beaming Moon

Ur Silvery Shine smile,

Is truly a gazer's delight,

A poets muse ,

And a child's rhyme.

Happy Teachers Day

Today is the day teachers should be proud of. A day in memory of all teachers who work hard and spend their life being selfless and who impart knowledge to the younger generation.The gift of teaching isn't a talent u find in everybody. I always fumbled when it came to teaching somebody and i certainly don't have the knack to rack brains through word of mouth and so I admire all teachers and their gift to teach. Me always loved literature and most often my fav teachers would be my English teachers.Lately I found 3 of my English teachers on Orkut who happened to teach me English during 3 different phases of my life. I am really fortunate to have found them. Does it mean that only English teachers seem to be keep in pace with the modern Social Networking system? I don't have any answers to that but from my experience ,I feel its very true. My English teachers have really done well in keeping in touch with all their old students. The latest info now is that,years later, My teachers have become my friends ...:)

Invisible Linda

Linda was always there in class but was almost invisible. She was a pretty normal girl from Std 1 onwards. She had no close friends though she liked everybody in class. She wished she had one best friend with whom she could share her small small laughters, joys, sorrows and blues. That one friend would have made her life whole, she would think. She was mediocre in everything. Her looks were ordinary. Her class performance was average. She would watch close buddies in class and how they would walk about, play, how they would talk and what made them close.

There would be school annual programs but Linda would never get selected by her teachers though she would long for it. Deep within her heart she would pray that she would be chosen but every year she would return home broken hearted after selections. She loved to dance, sing or even act, but probably she was not extra-ordinary enough. And so she often felt invisible, dejected and despirited. In order to gain some friends sometimes she would crack jokes but even that did not bring anyone close enough. One particular year she got a part in a drama where she was to be the King's soldier, whose only role was to stand by his side till the drama got over but that was enuff to make her feel happy.

Seeing Linda's sorrows of not being accepted among her friends and teachers, her parents decide to enroll her for some dance classes. Linda slowly started having friends. She participates actively in Dance classes,programs,competitions conducted by the Dance school and even wins prizes. Her School teachers recognise the 'Once upon a time Invisible girl' and starts selecting her for the school annual programs . Linda now holds her head high. For the first time in her life after 6 years she feels 'accepted' and not a ghost anymore. The dejection she felt from when she was a child made her a mature girl. Later in life she looked out for other 'Invisible People' in her life and made them feel special. That was Linda's Exceptional talent.