MEASURE YOUR CHEER COUNT WITH HAPPYMETER !

Many reasons one can cite to be happy about,

and yet why do we always  focus on a grey cloud ?

If irritants seem to bother,it makes sense to turn away,

make a mood shift,drift with calm and wear a smile on the face.

So there you see, you already have a reason to be happy about.

Why should one fret or fume over a long wait,

when all one one has to do is to sit back and relax,

or a go getter,with a passion for challenge,to get things done,

Go ! grab the reasons you need  to be happy about.

 Raising one's standards to excel and also fulfil one's aspirations,

or moving naturally with the flow with an intention to reach the goal,

are time tested methods to achieve the end and also feel good.

So there you have all the right reasons to be happy about.

Assuming everything happens for a reason,some beyond one's control,

when one can handle disappointments,losses and yet move on,

unpredictable situations, if one can face with grit and elan,

isn't this progress and also something to be happy about ?

When one is caught offguard and movements hindred,

one pushes obstacles,wages a war with despair and still forges ahead,

when realisation dawns that difficulties are finally behind,

overwhelmed is one and isn't this something to be cheerful about ?

If in the midst of a situation,when one has to compromise,

if be the need to share pleasure ,melancholy or  pain,

if one can open his heart out to a loved one,one is reborn again,

and reason everlasting enough to be happy about ....

When one can assess oneself truthfully,

based on his plusses,minuses,failures and success,

would he not dwell upon his laurels alone ,

as a reason to be ever thankful and happy about ?

If one does look back with pride,notwithstanding a future insecure,

evaluates one's real worth based on  past sacrifice,

would one also not feel that failures have not been in vain,

and so one still has the reasons to be happy about.

At the end of the day,if one were to evaluate one's performance,

place achievements and attainments on one side,

unfulfilled dreams and desires on another side,

if the former outweighs the latter,

isn't it sufficient reason to be happy about ?

Life comes with an expiry date and the clock is ticking away,

So hurry ,place your order for the Happymeter  today,

Grab the early bird offer and sing a happy song,

and find all the reasons that you may need to feel happy about....

KARMA IS EQUAL TO BOOMERANG !

Either I have to slog real hard to get the grey cells to work or just start tapping to get the words moving.I tried tapping early in the morning,with a hot cuppa in one hand and a mouse beneath another.It didn't work.So I decided to cut down on my electricity bill.I shut down the system and headed straight into the kitchen.That's where my ideas take shape.That's where I also make mistakes. From some I learn and some a I repeat .Therein lies the inspiration to write funny snippets and share.The summer mendicant has announced his arrival.He should be here in full form in a few weeks from now..

When I am unable to write,and out of ideas,I follow a simple rule.Go routine,complete the chores,tire out completely and then, if a great sense of elation seems to overpower , switch on the air conditioner and start the system once again...Its time to write...Here I narrate an incident that happened a fortnight back..

It is a breezy eve here in Chennai.During the day,its pretty hot.So ,I usually try to get out of the kitchen as fast as I can.That could be the reason why,over the years of my stay in Chennai, I have graduated from being a slow beginner to a superfast chef and a chill Jill.

Saturdays and Sundays are Spring cleaning time at home and this means necessarily a break from the routine and delayed cooking. Narayanan is a night watchman,who specialises in house cleaning work during the day.He usually arrives by 7AM ,works till 4pm and charges Rs 400/- for a day's work that includes cleaning the fans,the ACs,the exhaust fans ,chimneys and any other heavy duty work that I deem impossible...I make use of his services once or twice in a month...

Usually,he begins by cleaning the windows,grills and then moves to the fans and the ACs.All that he requires is soap powder,a scrub,a brush,a broom and a couple of rags.I must say,he does a very good job .On that particular day,a Saturday,if i remember right,I asked him to begin with the kitchen....

I gave him soap powder,a locally available ,unbranded white coloured soap based cleaning detergent in a small white plastic disposable container.I usually keep a stock of the disposable recyclable plastic plates,cups and closed containers .They come handy especially during travel..

Narayanan is a little slow but does a good job.He started cleaning inside the kitchen at 8AM and was out only by around 11.30AM..I had kept the veggies ready.My younger daughter was in town and she had placed an indent early in the morning for Alu Methi parathas with matter paneer...

Hurriedly,I kneaded the dough and boiled the potatoes.In between,I was also overseeing Narayanan's work.He was cleaning the window grills from outside..

The filling for the paratha , a mash of boiled potatoes and fenugreek leaves was ready and the gravy tasted yummm..

Usually when I am done with the chores,I head straight into my comfort zone,switch on the AC and slump into a recliner...

My little girl called out to me..".Ma I am hungry,"she said..."Oh ! dear girl ! Give me some time.Allow me to relax for a while,"I said..."That's Ok Ma ,"she replied..."I will make the parathas,for you too, "she said..".You are such a sweetheart .You are a darling,Thank you so much dear,"...I went on to say..

She went into the kitchen and called out at the top of her voice..."Ma where's the flour for dusting ? It's there near the oil can in a small white plastic container," I replied...

She could not find it.She called again.." Ma where's it ?"....

Grumbling unto myself ,"Aaha ..girls these days are too lazy to search.I bet it must be right in front of her eyes and yet she's unable to spot it..Highly Irresponsible ,I muttered."

I had to get up and go..I went in and well ! the container was indeed not to be found.It was not there beside the oil can...I looked all around.It was lying in a corner,near the gas cylinder.

"Why the heck is it here ? saying,I handed the container to her and hurriedly went back into my private zone...

After a few minutes,she called out again..."Ma ! Can you please come ?" Now ,her voice sounded anxious..

"Why are you troubling me so much dear ? Its just about making parathas and I know that you can do that pretty well.Don't you realise that I deserve to relax,You Girls,have no patience........and before I could complete my sentence she was standing beside me ,"Ma ! Please come,she begged..It's real urgent..

With a huff,I got out of the recliner and went back  into the kitchen...She had made one paratha .It looked good...

"Ma the paratha smells wierd,".she said..

"Don't be stupid," I retorted angrily." "Ofcourse it must be smelling good.I added methi leaves to the mashed potato," I told her...

"No ma ! the aroma is strange,not methi certainly,"she stated rather confidently."Have you tasted the paratha ?".I asked her.

"No she said.Perhaps,I do not have a keen sense of smell.I am but a novice Ma..But there's something fishy here.I know that,I am in no mood to taste either.That would kill my appetite.Why don't you taste it ? "saying she grinned mischieviously..

I tore a piece of the paratha and put it into my mouth..The world started spinning in front of my eyes.My reaction was instant.The chewed piece came rushing out from the mouth,faster than it went in..I gulped down one litre of water and my little girl looked on,in utter amazement....

Mustering enough strength to be back on my feet,I smelt the paratha...Well ! it was pretty fragrant..Huh !

"Oh ! No ! it smells like deodorant...I had used water for kneading,not perfume..How on earth did this happen ????????"..I was too shocked beyond words...

All the while my naughty girl was laughing away and I had no clue whatsoever..."Oh ! Ma ! she said...Please smell this.".She handed over the container supposedly containing the flour for dusting.I bent down to smell ,the contents and I was an enlightened soul..."Goodness Gracious ! This is the cleaning powder,that I had given to Narayanan."What a blunder I have committed, my dear," I cried..."I am so sorry darling."

I looked around again.A similar container was lying behind the salt cellar..I opened the lid and this was indeed the one that contained the flour...I realised my folly and I had never felt so stupid ever before..My girl had made three balls of the dough and immersed them in the detergent powder...

We had to throw them..Thankfully,the rest of the dough remained untouched by the detergent...

Nearly thirty years back,Nayaki's mother was taken to task for committing a similar blunder....She had added perfumed coconut hair oil,instead of cooking coconut  oil in the Aviyal..Nayaki was a spectator on that day and she continues to pull her mom's legs even today...

Karma has its own way I guess..Today I am where my mom was years back and my little girl is having a blast..She will now tell this tale and laugh heartily thirty years later..Life has indeed come a full circle...

The net has worked & the revolution has entered the Iyer household.The family boasts of three generations who dispute to differ & conform to agree.Its a beautiful blend of youth,wisdom & experience.The patriarch is the only member untouched by the gadgets & unfazed by the day to day transitions.The landline is his lifeline.Post paids & prepaids make no sense.Online billing and he is not willing......Yet he has the final word.& as he browses thro the newspaper....all matters get the stamp of approval/disapproval on the dining table.The atmosphere is a rare blend of conflicts & agreements.The patriarch disagrees only to agree later & give in to the whims & fancies of the texting meditechs.As the day progresses manually & digitally,the temple becomes more divine catering to the needs of friends,relatives & well wishers.......

Navrathri day two !

"WOW ! Not much progress," mumbled a beaming Pattu mami.The daily Navrathri Puja was taking up most of her time .

"Please the mother Goddess for nine days.Sing hymns in her praise and chant her divine name a thousand times," Ma would say.I listened to her in rapt attention as she rendered lovely musical compositions all in praise of the Divine Mother.

Ma was married on the 1st of September 1963.A petite newly wed Iyer dame fluent in English,Tamil.Telugu and Hindi travelled all the way from Secunderabad to her inlaws home in Calcutta.

As she stepped on Bhagirathi land,Subbu said "The Durga puja is approaching.This is the best time to be here in this City of Joy and I am sure you are going to enjoy every moment of your stay in this city."

Viji was not too sure though.She had her apprehensions.Yet ! slowly but surely she was getting involved in the Bengal culture.She was on a vacation,a tourist coz !Subbu would plan a daily itenary and take her in and around the city.

It was the month of October 1963.Puja frenzy had begun.The festivities were yet to begin but the mood palpable.:Localities were gearing up for the celebrations and Viji was wonderstruck.It was during the month that Subbu suddenly planned a trip to Kumartuli

Kumartuli is a potters village in northern Kolkata. By virtue of their artistic creations these potters have moved from obscurity to international prominence. This Kolkata neighbourhood,supplies clay idols of Hindu gods and goddesses to pujas in Kolkata , its neighbourhoods and now all over the world.

Certain customs are observed religiously ,while sculpting the clay idol of Durga. On the auspicious day of the Rath Yatra festival, clay is collected from the banks of the holy Ganga. The entire process of idol-making, from the collection of clay to the final stages of decoration and ornamentation, is considered sacred.

Another important event is Chakkhu Daan, that literally means ,the donation of the eyes, which occurs on a special auspicious day when the artists paint the eyes on the face of the idol.

It seemed like a dream come true.The semi completed clay idols fascinated Viji.The deft nimble fingers that worked on the deities amazed her.She was bewildered at the sheer talent of a group of people......The clay idols were coming to life and it seemed like a trip to the abode of the Gods.

"Learn a lesson from the clay ," Ma would say."Life is not a bed of roses but you have the power and the strength to mould it as you wish.Lead a pious life and be flexible.Try to be as eco friendly as possible.Our Earth is rich in resources.Use the resources carefully.The Earth is sacred ,and worship Bhoomi Ma." she would go on....

She would repeatedly say"So !Give the Golu an eco touch.Decorate the steps with mud dolls and wooden dolls.Remember to connect with the earth .We rise from dust to go back to dust..............Yet ! as I spotted a papier mache doll in my Golu,paper eco friendly too,an inner voice seemed to question the same earthy sentiment and the story teller in me was searching for answers as a logical explanation for a break from convention,and the transition from the Simple Steps to the Elevated MODERN DAY THEMATIC GOLUS ......

NAVRATHRI DAY ONE !

Ouch ! A stiff back ! Well ! Well ! I am happy nevertheless.....Now ask me why ?

Ahem ! Ahem ! I hope some of you,will go through this post of mine and the ones who just troll feel free to do so.

As I lay on my bed last night,I did not dream of a thousand moons,I did not wander into dreamland....It was plain deep slumber....a good sleep after a hard day's work.

Before you wish to skip the read,let me tell you that the intention of this post is plain speak and you shall read the mind of a TamBrahmBong.

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.....& 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 woulds say."Ma Durga is fighting a battle with Mahisasur.The fierce 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 chipped to build the steps and arrange the dolls.

As I emptied the lofts yesterday and brought down the mud dolls,a busy doc 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.

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 yesterday...Vital Energy Good enough to last for one more year ....

Oh ! My God ! She's a Woman !

She is by my side all day long.She is a constant companion,a guide,a mentor,a confidante and so,very close to my heart…

Daily,I wake up without an alarm and when I get up ,she is wide awake.Mind you! she does not sleep a wink.

I love to sleep and I can fall asleep,when I wish too.That’s a gift,I inherited from her…She sings “Rock a bye Baby on the LapTop “Sleep Darling sleep," and I love to obey She is such a sweetheart…

Mother had a long list of do’s and don’t’s..She said..” We are all up by 4AM.Its perfectly ok if you oversleep upto 5AM.”…With a lump in my throat ,I had nodded my head as if to say…”Oh ! You are so generous.You are so kind.Thank you so much.”...Anyway,that was a habit,I had to cultivate, much to the annoyance of my companion.I must have really offended the kind hearted soul….

Nevertheless,since then,I have come a long way ,sometimes abiding by her wishes and sometimes not. Today my body clock is tuned in such a way that eyelids force close at 10 PM and open at 5AM sharp..I am her diehard fan ,when it comes to sleep patterns that she designs especially for me .In the midst of a one to one live conversation,one day,she had told me,”7 hours of Beauty sleep every day,keeps age defying lotions away…Needless to say ,I was thrilled….How could I go against her wishes…..

She is fresh at the crack of dawn.She likes an oil lamp burning bright,the fragrance of the sandalwood incense and the hot cuppa .So I will please her .At my back,constantly,she nags,and yet,she is a source of great motivation.The days headlines and idle surfs can wait,she says,because duty comes first.A good leader leads by example and all that he has to do is to show the correct path,for others to follow.She does just that....Inspite of her repeated warnings,I do manage a few sneak peeks....

She is perfect,she is obsessed,she claims what she says is right.I must be idolizing her otherwise why would I be blindly taking orders..I must be loving her passionately…that’s exactly another reason why I can take her for granted and also disobey her….

But for her,I would have ignored the hanging cobwebs.She reminds me of the pending laundry work and the vaccum undone.The larder is half empty,I know,because she keeps reminding me of that.She is the mastermind behind all my decisions.She decides the daily breakfast,lunch and dinner menu ,my holidays,my friends,and what I should wear to work and to party.She plans my budgets,oversees my expenses,curtailing wherever she deems fit.She approves my exorbitant purchases too and prepares my draft daily conversations minute by minute…She helps me to exercise restraint and also express anger.She teaches me to love,respect,fear,abhor,help,ignore,like,dislike be kind ,accept ,refuse and don various roles…..

She asked me to pray one day and then she gave me faith.Aspire,she said and then gave me the reason to work.She placed stumbling blocks on the way and then she gave me the strength to overcome them..She showed me the path and then I did not look back…..

She watches my movements,and brings me back to track,when I stray.She likes me to do what I like to do and I am happy doing what she thinks I like to do.She must be guilty of being crazy. She drives me nuts.She made me write all this,saying ,”Unwind my dear ! “..

She’s my conscience…..Goodness Gracious ! She is My God......

A TAMBRAHM'S TRYST WITH FOOD !

If taste buds could be tingled from afar.Oh ! Yes !I am back to my ruminating ways.The weekends give scope for increased hunger pangs and I love to wallow in the essential spices that pep up my thirst to innovate ,experiment and search for the guinea pigs.Essentially,cooking stories has always been my forte.I have to be honest.My entry into the pantry was a rather forced one.It was a compelling desire to please people and thus began the journey.

I am sure all of you would agree that we are not born with a ladle in our hands.Neither do genetic traits always carry the passion to brew,boil or stew.Mom and mother-in-law are Kitchen Queens in their own right.Having been exposed to the grind at a tender age,I look in awe at their tenacity even today.Did The aruvamanai sharpen their skills ? Could The aatu kal and the ammee be the reason for the soft behaviour.It is a story of the mortar and the pestle,a life of willing hardwork ,a teary crush and a cheerful grind.

Having been initiated into an oven, mavbe not though ,at a very tender age,I slowly developed the passion ....a passion that gave me room for creativity too.Simple management techniques come into play and I wish all the B schools could take in a tip or two from the working of an organised kitchen.With no offence meant to any particular community or person,the TAMBRAHM has not evolved much as far as cooking and eating habits are concerned.A safe guy,he still prefers to confine himself to the precincts of AATHU SAMAYAL.

The mornings still begin with the degree coffee kumbakonam style...Some households have shifted to Tea too.Yet a filter coffee continues to be a hot favourite...and any conversation during the day is sure to bring about references such as.....ANTHA KADAYIL Kapi podi Supera irrukku.Each one to his own choice...."A" Evvalavu ? "B "Evvalavu ,Chicory venuma vendama ????The coffee filter has given way to the coffee maker...Yet the priorities haven't changed,The first few drops of the decoction are still sought after.

The Puzhungarirsi kanji continues to make waves....and all that is nostalgic is yummy today.Breakfast has not changed much .Idli,Dosai,Pongal and upma continue to maintain the top slot....A hot second coffee Sip break is a must too .

Mamas and mamis are unwilling fora total change in culinary practices in the 21st century too.Its a continued tale of commitment.....commitment to savour the aroma that Patti had instilled in the veins.So we have migrated and crossed shores....but the love for the tamarind ,lime,mango and the tomato remains afresh.Our cooking is incomplete without the Kothamalli and the karuveppilai .We yearn for fruits ,vegetables and curd....hot rice ,sambar and piping hot rasam,thokku , podi & thugaiyal,ussili & paruppu.....appalam & vadam.....& that's about all on a daily basis .Less of Oil and great to taste...Simple it is ! and that's the way we all are.......descendants of a clan who have made Cooking so easy for us...Shouldn't we be ever thankful to them ?