The aroma of the filter coffee is an
intoxication and the kick needed to kick off.The courtyard swept and
cleaned,the kitchen now awaits her. As she awaits for her Fairy Godmother to
make her appearance ,she is already halfway ….the vegetables cut and the
cooking on under strict guidelines...."Thou shall not cook without
bathing,thou shall not taste the food at the time of cooking,thou shall not
touch cooked items and milk products at the same time,thou shall not
carryover food into the refriegerator,thou shall not waste food ....and
thou shall be a strict vegetarian."
The food is offered to the Gods and the
crow gets the first mouthful.The Iyer Fare is now ready to be
served....
This is any typical morning in an Iyer joint
family.The year is 2014 and mankind has made a giant leap in the field of technology.
The net has worked and the revolution has entered the Iyer household.The family
boasts of three generations who dispute to differ and conform to agree.Its a
beautiful blend of youth, wisdom and experience.The patriarch is the only
member untouched by the gadgets and unfazed by the day to day transitions.The
landline is his lifeline.
"Saroja “....he calls out in an
authoritative tone.”Have you seen my magnifying glass? I had placed it on the dining
table beside the newspaper.I am sure you must have kept
it somewhere.”The seventy five year old net and gadget savvy old woman is not bothered
though."Oh !Why don't you hang it around your neck instead of searching
for it all day long ?' she quips....and vacates the place in a hurry..only to
ensure that, breakfast is ready for the insulin dependant old man.
He is unwilling for a change .Post paids and prepaids make no sense.Online billing and he is not willing......Yet he also has the final word, and as he browses blindfoldedly through the newspaper , all matters get the stamp of approval or disapproval on the dining table.The grand old mother is rather diplomatic too....a woman of steel,she would rather take sides with the texting new generation, on whom she depends for her needs today , than support her toothless consort..But just try,ignoring her dear husband or even the slightest of casual scorn and she will take all to task.She is a caregiver and a motherly figure for all.The head of the family ,the patriarch is helpless without her.
He is unwilling for a change .Post paids and prepaids make no sense.Online billing and he is not willing......Yet he also has the final word, and as he browses blindfoldedly through the newspaper , all matters get the stamp of approval or disapproval on the dining table.The grand old mother is rather diplomatic too....a woman of steel,she would rather take sides with the texting new generation, on whom she depends for her needs today , than support her toothless consort..But just try,ignoring her dear husband or even the slightest of casual scorn and she will take all to task.She is a caregiver and a motherly figure for all.The head of the family ,the patriarch is helpless without her.
The
atmosphere is a rare blend of conflicts & agreements.The patriarch
disagrees only to agree later and give in to the whims and fancies of the
texting meditechs.As the day progresses manually and digitally,the temple
becomes more divine catering to the needs of friends,relatives and well
wishers.......
Ouch ! A stiff back ! Well ! Well ! I am happy
nevertheless.....Now ask me why ?
As I go to bed tonight night,I will not dream of a thousand moons,I will not
wander into dreamland....It shall be plain deep slumber....a good sleep after a hard day's work.
As a kid ,I was brought up in a rather liberal Iyer family where the elders
were conservative unto themselves.I was raised to value traditions and customs
in a spirit of merry making and the zest for life came from the
celebrations.
A festival was an occasion to wander away from the routine and appeasing the
Gods was an excuse to break free.Ma was just like any other over indulgent
mother.I was pampered and yet i was not spoilt.I was allowed to oversleep on
holidays and she made sure that the bedroom was pitch dark till I got up.
She was an early bird though .I remember watching her going about her tasks in
a rather easy manner,a trait that I have picked up from her and thank my stars
for that.
Mahalaya holds a special place in my memories,a day that can never skip away
from my schedules however tight they may be.Ma used to tune in to the Chandi
path at 4AM on the Mahalaya day.She would wake me up and I used to get up
immediately.As she listened,I would be beside her.
"The stillness of the night has a calming effect and the Chandi Path can
soothe your senses said Ma." I was rather naive and yet I liked to get up
.The reason is simple.Ma is a good story teller and that's another trait that I
owe to her.
"Close your eyes and look up at the skies.Can you hear a growl ?Can you
hear the clanks of the weapons?"she would say."Ma Durga is fighting a
fierce battle with Mahisasur.The battle has begun on this Mahalaya day and she
will emerge victorious on Dashami........she would go on.....
The Chandi path done,a demure Iyer woman would get back into business.The
Mahalaya chant is a melody that can infuse tremendous energy and evoke the
Mahisasura Mardhini in any woman.Ma was no different.Single handeddly she would
supervise Navrathri celebrations at home.Dad would chip in to build the steps
and arrange the dolls.
As I emptied the lofts today and brought down the mud dolls,a faithful and trusted helper was fixing the slotted angles.The steps have been neatly
arranged.I boast of a heirloom of dolls some nearly 50 years old.My collection
is a blend of the old and the new,and reflects my taste for tradition as a mix
of ritualistic beliefs from Tamil Nadu ,Andhra Pradesh ,and West Bengal
cultures.
At the end of the day I have been rewarded.If life is a miracle,an association with Kolkata is a blessing.If I was destined to spend twenty glorious years in Kolkata,I am destined to savour every single moment of the rest of my life as a TamBong.You can take a person away from Kolkata but you can never take away Kolkata from him/her.So true and with social media opening up,not withstanding geographical distances ,friendships have acquired a new meaning.New friends made and old ones staying in touch,I am rejuvenated.Having been in Kolkata is indeed a proof of good fortune.If not how does one explain the gift of Mishti Doi and Sondesh to faraway Chennai from Bancharam on Mahalaya day ? Miracles do happen and if I bond beautifully with another person other than a blood relation,he or she must be having a Kolkata connection.
So that is the way I am.Back breaking work cannot stop my zeal to carry on the
Navrathri festivities.I am raring to explore,waiting for creative ideas to
further enhance my GOLU.....All ideas are welcome and YES ! I TUNED IN TO
MAHALAYA CHANDI PATH today...Vital Energy Good enough to last for one more
year ....
