/\ Motherhood /\

When I was a kid I wanted to be just like U....
when I thought I had it all figured out, I wanted nothing to do with U....
And now that I have one to call my own....
I thank you for all that you gave me!
And I realize that this life is nothing but a 'daanam' from you!

/\ Motherhood /\

Teaches one a lot about themselves
gives an opportunity to see what our mothers have done for us
- from the moment of choice to keep the baby,
- to protect with anything and everything by going above and beyond capacity
- and once born, nourishing the body and soul with all they had and even more of what they didn't have
- taking love and hate alike and keeping calmn
- and finally an explosion of tears that comes about in harsh words
- all while going through their own ups and downs in career and physique
- and all while knowing well in advance to expect nothing in return!

That's love unconditional !

Amma endrazhaikkaadha uyir illaiyee
Ammavai vanagadhu uyarvillaiye
Neril nindru pesum deivam
Pettra thai andri verondru aedhu

Abirami sivakami karumari magamayee
Thiru kovil deivangal needhanamma
Annaikku andradam abishekam alangaram
Purigindra siru thondan nandhaanamma
Poruloodu pugazh vendum maganalla thaiyee
Un arul vendum enakkendrum adhu podhumee
Adutthu inghu piraponrru amaidhalum naan
Undhan maganaaga pirakindra varam vendumee

Adhai neeyeee, tharu vendumeeee

Amma endrazhaikkatha uyir illaiyee . . .

Pasum thangam pudhu velli maanikkam vairangal
Avai yaavum oru thaikku eedagumaa
Vilai meedhu vilai vaitthu kettalum koduthalum
Kadaithannil thaai anbu kidaikkadhamma
Eeruaindhu maadhangal karuvodu enai thaangi
Nee patta perum paadu arivenamma
Eeraezhu genmangal eduthalum uzhaithalum
Unakinghu naan patta kadan theeruma

Unnaalee pirandhaenee . . .

Amma endrazhaikkadha uyirillaiyeee....



[Mannan (Tamil) | Ilayaraja | Kavignar Vaali (T.S Rangarajan)?? | KJ Yesudas]

If there is anything wonderful in this world...it's a newborn who brings a big 1000 watt smile to anyone's face..

After a long... time

Idakkoru blog ezhuthanam ezhuthanam ennu vachirunnittu nadannilla...but today I got the final push...and it was perfect timing as Onam is right around the corner :)

For those who don't know..."Thiruvonam" is on Monday, the 23rd of August, and as usual...our Onasadyas begin before "Uthraadam" on the 21st.

And to my surprise..."Atham" is before Chingam 1st this year...This Saturday, 14th of August is Atham! So..it's countdown :)

Aaaarrrrpppoooooo...............!

Othiri naalukalkku shesham Onam veendum oru late mid-Augustil...Now..that shouldn’t be a big deal for anyone working...but for kids and the parents of these kids…it should be huge...as it gives an opportunity galore to really celebrate (that’s if we really want to) in its whole nine yards...incorporating the traditional games and sadya in vazhayila and at least visiting the tharavadu if not meeting there already...making memories for our little ones to take into their heart and live – passing it on to theirs..

Pande paranjille...Onam varumbo ariyaathe vannu povunnu oru thidukkam...that no other celebrations give...actually that’ll be a lie...Christmas has always given that feeling in winter when everything else is so cold, gloomy, and dark! Onam too..Karkkidakathile mazha (as it has shifted to US with the evident thunderstorms we got over the last two weeks) kazhinjulla oru velicham and freshness and life..calls for a celebration...not to mention the vilaveduppu (that too with the many karshaka-sree awards going on around here)! :)

Njaan puthiya oru joliyil keri...so that’s one of the highlights I’ve got to share...contractor aanu but still…pays me and I love it :) Now...why is that a big deal? Because it is also giving me a chance to be in sync with the new tunes...thanks to RadioJoyAlukkas.com :) Their live radio has been keeping me sane and happy and definitely up-to-date with songs with a 'back at home' feel :) No...i’m not taking any ‘achaarams’ from them...I simply love them as they have become part of my daily routine :) There isn’t any news reading to listen to...well for that I got my own pathrakkaaran (MNL) delivering news to my inbox ;)

And before I go off the track...as I was saying...I got the final push to write again :) Last week was really super duper busy at work with long hours and deadlines...and this week therefore is all calm and catch-up on overdue self-study training :) So, I’m doing my self-study and went to get a coffee...and the creamer is out..can’t still drink up American black coffee...it’s just bitter! So..I went to the next floor as they actually have a real kitchen with stocked up coffee, sugar, vending machines, etc…..took 3 cans..came back down and Walla!..there’s a fresh pot! As I was getting a disposable cup…someone else comes in…takes the coffee with the claim that he just made the pot (nicely) :) "So, by the way, I’m not good with names...you’re...?", he asked. I introduce myself and ask him the same and he tells me who he is. Then, of course the next question was... “where you from?” I replied...India!. Then he goes...“Oh I know you’re from India..what part?” I said...ummm...this place called “Kerala”. And he goes..KERALA? I’ve been there :) Where you from in Kerala? So the conversation went on for another good 10-15min and to my surprise...I learned more from him! He has been to just the south – Trivandrum, Cochin, Tanjore, Coimbatore, Ooty, Madurai, Bangalore, Mysore, etc. etc. He told me about a boulder on top of this temple in Tanjore that weighs 70-80 tons and how it was taken to the gopuram and how there’s a plaque from Mahatma Gandhi, so on...and on...He visited in 84, the year Indira Gandhi was assassinated. And how he would be disappointed if he went back now as he was with Bangalore then. He bragged about the details and how he loved it in Mysore and all other places and I stood there amazed and proud! Then someone else came to get coffee and we said bye-bye to catch up later :)

I went back to my desk thinking Oh..I’ve got to visit these places..forget beach vacations and camping! I almost felt like a fish out of water..what am I doing here? But then as I thought...here I’ve as much freedom as I will have in India..actually a whole lot more (being a woman)...to practice, live, explore, and even pass on all of my Indian-ism to my kids with as much respect and admiration! Then, I came to a conclusion, it isn’t really visiting these places that gives me a feel for the culture...it’s the actual knowing and practicing that makes me Indian where-ever I may be. So, Chachu and Chikku...here comes amma with thumpi, pookkalam, oonjaal, vaazhayila, and sadya for Onam ;)

And here is a song for you...to prepare for this year's Onam! Come...Let's Celebrate...say aaaarrrrrpppoooo! :)


[Ulsava Ganangal Vol.1 | Raveendran | Sreekumaran Thampi | KJ Yesudas and Janaki Devi]

As always, I thrive on your comments and suggestions..and please be honest! :)